I want to disagree with that a little. Not so much in principle (you make some good points overall) but for me there is this ideal situation:

- Young westerner just graduates. Teaching degree or for that matter something related to business, communications or maybe even acting, broadcasting etc. Just graduated and gets the shiny B.A.. lets say 22 years old.

- Quickly and even preplanned do 3 to 6 months teaching in China. Arguably a year and no more.

I'd put it this way - you come back as still a fresh new grad who has that desperately needed 'some experience' AND in my opinion there is nothing that shocks and shakes up western comfort or any sense of 'taking it for granted' like China. 3 to 6 months is enough to get into 'work mode' and when they get back oh how a typical US middle school will seem relatively comfortable by comparison.

I'm thinking of a fellow teacher who graduated but was (like many) someone who did well 'on paper'. Academically, book smart, quality Uni degree too. But he simply couldn't get himself through that old public speaking fear. He KNEW what to do but as soon as he was standing in front of a room full of people (kids or adults or both) he just crashed, stuttered, broke into nervous 'performance anxiety' etc.

He had that in China too BUT maybe the difference is that he knew it wasn't going to be on his record at home or that it wasn't his job-job career on the line but the point is after 3 months of geting through 50+ classrooms of crazy Chinese kids AND I suppose being especially stared at by locals AND subjecting himself to the kind of blatant open mockery and abuse.... Cured!

He came back home and could walk into an auditorium with 600 people as comfortable as can be, do a lecture, walk away as comfortable as could be never breaking a sweat.

NOW......... having said all that. Yes, I run into young people who mistakenly believed that what they would do is work in China and develop a long-term ESL career. They do BUT.... when they get back home ready to carry it on..........oh no.. no it doesn't help and if anything they are screwed or fall way behind others career wise.

But see what I'm talking about and yes that has been successful, helpful and I've seen that work well when its 6 months 'added' to their degree and right away (so you don't appear to have disappeared from the loop, process at home).