Lack of communication seems to be standard across the board. I ask a local colleague, and she is usually as in the dark about what is happening. I bring/make my own material - i have had other teachers ask to copy mine. It is just how it is here.

So much so that sometimes I think I'm being filmed for some gag show.

Agree with Sorrel. It's always a lack of communication. I know I shouldn't but I always interpret this as a lack of consideration and respect which makes me seething. I also dislike that management just seem incapable of delivering on anything agreed. I suppose basically its a imbalance of expectations i.e. they expect you to go above and beyond on everything and yet when you ask for something, they don't want to know. 

After three years, I found a good one. Good communication - the principal came to the teacher's office and talked with various teachers for about an hour - and, with the exception of oral English, at least adequate materials provided. I prefer to use my activities for oral English so I don't mind when they hand me a list of IELTS prompts as class material. 

Long hours mixed with good salaries and interested, intelligent students. Dang am I dreaming? I could complain, but overall I like it.

My previous school was actually really good, and they had equipment for children with special needs. I was astonished over how willing and accepting they were to help those kids. I thought I'd get fired for suggesting it.

Actually, I miss that job so much... it's a shame I had to leave, but my wife was pregnant and there's no way I'm letting my baby be born in China. Sometimes I wish I could go back... too bad they tried to hold me hostage and steal my passport. Oh well...

Outside of the classroom, it's badly managed, lie/cheat/etc, idiotic self-important irrational BS management. Lately I've had a drink every day after work to help relax from it, and never felt the need to do that in any previous job. Inside of the classroom, there is next to no micromanagement, and aside from the occasional annoying intrusion of the outside world (ex: the management sent an auditor who can't speak a word of English in to observe a few weeks ago). I like the lack of micromanagement in this sense.

Back in Wei Guo it was the opposite: the management was reasonable and honest (and didn't care when I missed pointless meetings) outside of actual class but tried to micromanage my classes. Here it's badly managed but I do feel like a "foreign expert" inside the actual class.

Forcing us to go to meetings where nobody speak any English and the translator is one of the other teachers who can barely keep up with what is being said.

Haha! Nice to see that poor management is an issue across nearly ALL schools. I find it funny when people leave a particular school because of these issues and find that not only is the grass no greener on the other side but that there is no real dividing fence to make it the "other side"!

We all dream of making changes given the chance but rarely are we given the chance. The Chinese mentality is: That's the way it is, always was, always will be!

So be it - Amen. (or Awomen if you're that way inclined)

I do my best to teach the kids and leave it at that and get paid on time, a bonus, a nice apartment and an annual pay rise. No complaints.

Dave: we used to be forced to go to meetings, until one day when one of my foreign colleagues fell asleep and started snoring... the next day our manager quietly came to me and told me that we didn't have to attend any more.

So far I am not sure, I was told I would receive books soon for my oral English class which starts Sept. 16.... As far as communication I was informed about my class and its size and they gave me an older text book to get an idea about what to teach and that I would have co-teachers who would be able to help me.  Yet, they have me in a hotel (and I am going slightly insane with boredom) right now and they said I would be moved into my apartment "soon", and when I ask questions about it, no one really seems to know, whether I use English or my horrid version of what I call passable Chinese...  Yet things do look good and everyone is very helpful on most other things, so except for a few little things I would say there is good communication where I am at.

I don't actually work in a school...I work in a factory helping graduates to improve their English.

However,a manager asked me in 'pigeon' English if I wouldn't mind helping teach some workers from the factory - for 4 Saturdays in maybe late September/October.. To me being asked to 'help'  is teaching for an hour... but all the guys got an email in Chinese,detailing the new teaching class which was going to begin this Saturday and lasting for 4 f#cking hours !!! I am pissed off... 4 hours was not ever suggested,I was not emailed... she is taking the piss as far as I am concerned,...

Anyway.. I am off from today - Hong Kong for a holiday ! I will break the bad news to her when I return ! 4 hours !! JOKE