Go back and read your contract carefully. Does it mention a gap??? Does it mention something along the lines of ( if no classes are prepared for you then your guaranteed salary will have that deducted?   if yes  then your hooped. Wait for your contact to be up and negotiate it outta there or decide if you wanna stay,  If its not there, go and talk to them about it. If your usefull at all to them they should be willing to work with you. 

I figured since they were British I would not get ripped off so easily.

There's your problem. Being from Britain, Henan, Baluchistan or Joufflart-Sur-Vielle does not make someone a scammer or honest This kind of things seems to be (sadly) relatively common here, regardless of who own the shop/school/company. Non-paid vacation would no shock in China :(

Ummm... suppose to be in your contract like Mike mentioned. Most training schools offer paid two-week vacations. Public schools... two months... 

Do not assume in China that because they are foreigners, they are out for your best interests. Like any business, they want to make more money for themselves and in fact, most foreigners in that racket (ESL school ownership or management) I have met here are actually some of the LOWEST scum on the planet. 

Sure, the Chinese management can be bad but you can usually see through their guise because they have the maturity of a screaming toddler... but the foreigners know you better and lie much better (they actually use logic). 

Bite your tongue and remember it when renewals come up. Sucks but you got to cover your own butt here and trust very few. 

In China, selfish people thrive and kind people are abused... you don't think so? 

Just go to www.chinasmack.com and read the latest article about the people that beat and tortured a dog in public so the animal rights activists would pay more to save it. 

Btw, I think you should rephrase your question. 

I thought initially you meant the "gaps" in between ESL teachers salaries depending on where they work. 

You should change it to "What about being paid during vacation time?"

Something like that. 

You didn't ask, so they didn't tell or you didn't read it in the contract. You are responsible for asking about the holidays.

Talk to the jerks and tell them exactly what you told us. At least you have the feeling to be coherent and honest with yourself and not fear revenge from them for being honest. It's about honesty and it has to be dealt with honesty.

BTW DoctorMonkey, it does make a difference, because we are supposed to speak the same language when it comes to people from the same Cultural background, with the same values and so on. That's what the op is pointing out in his post. At least we, people from Europe, who profess to be of a higher moral standard and of an accurate understanding of the Chinese immorality , at least we should not do such things at all. Otherwise, we become worst than Chinese people who scam us around all the time. I am saying worst, because at least we know it and are morally much better educated than people in China. So, yes, it's a matter of moral standard according to which the op comes here to put up on this forum some thoughts based on our "Western common sense" that so proudly we flag it here on this forum and punch the misdeeds of Chinese scamers with it. 

Learn to read a contract.

How the hell can anyone here tell you what's in your contract?

Look on the bright side. You get a 2 week summer holiday. You have two weeks to travel while most other people are stuck at work. 

I get paid my holidays...... but I have to take them at the same time as 1.3billion other people. So I am stuck at home because travel is almost impossible.

If 2 weeks without pay leaves you destitute, you may need to revisit your economic plan. 

Enjoy your holiday dude 

Wohaaao,,,, You didn't sign the contract and have been working from last ten months.... How did you get your Visa and FEC? Are you on F?

Ok, TBH, I'm confused!

By the sounds of it, you came here on an L visa, and then you went to SH to get a Z visa (odd! but it was 10 months ago, so before the new laws came into effect), and apparently haven't changed the Z into an RP (which is legally required to be done within 30 days of entering the country...)... which would require your signature on a contract to give to immigration.... (as well as other documents - such as your FEC).

As for your original question - paid holidays at a training school. Personally, I don't think I've ever heard of that! They pay you for the hours you teach - that's it! You don't want to teach, you don't get paid. Spring festival when there's no students - you don't get paid.

If you want paid holidays, you need to change sectors!

If you're on an actual salary, then there's a problem.

Simple question to ask them - are you on a salary or a wage? (if you need to ask what's the difference, then you shouldn't be paid at all)

Most of the chain centres have really sucky holidays.... Web = 11 days (Chinese Hols)...no travelling for you!...then.....5 whole days for you to take when they let you. EF = 11 days (Same as Web) but 10 days to take. Working a 40 hour week, evening and weekends....it would be nice to have more time to recharge and do something other than eat, teach, sleep, repeat.....

I wonder why can't you travel during Chinese Holidays..

Just book your ticket in advance you can easily get tickets available.. Or is this restriction imposed by the school??

If you are hired by the school directly chances are they will pay you during the Spring Festival. This will be in your contract.  However, if your contract is with, or through, a recruiter; The recruiter will take the vacation pay as part of their profit.