Sorry to hear about the troubles you had but if you are looking for a teaching job then if you pick the right school and perhaps the right city you can do okay. My school provided the contract and they do all the legwork to get your Expert's certificate and visa. Also any other government beauracracy is handled by them. Your job is to teach. Makes sense.

Working in a smaller city and in this case a pretty cold province has its advantages. Mainly the cost of living. So let's say a starter teacher gets 6500RMB a month from which are deducted a few utilities like electric, water and internet, he can then save about 75% of that each month because it costs about 2000 a month to live here. I mean live well too! You get a nice apartment and sometimes a nice teaching gig amongst the usual stuff you have to do. You can save 50,000RMB in your first year if you don't go stupid.

In answer to your question: I say yes. You can still do okay here and the lifestyle is not all that shabby either. Annual pay rises and holidays overseas or around China every 6 months are a bonus too. I just read that in my home state of Western Australia 700 newly qualified teachers are without work this coming semester. Rather be me than them to be honest. Living in these places is what you make it but the important thing is to have a school that looks after you with the legalities. If I had to worry about that visa stuff on top of lesson planning, chatting Chinese chicks, drinking with foreigner mates once a week and teaching the kids then I would have to rethink about whether it's worthwhile which seems to be what you are doing.

The lesson you have highlighted is basically very simple. Don't work through agents, contact the school direct from your home nation or it is highly likely you will lose a lot of money.

Is it worth teaching here? That depends on what you want to get from working here.

Well I know there are a few differences in teaching here in China compared to some countries such as Korea and japan. The big differences that I came across have been housing and return flight tickets. They don't offer that in many packages that you will come across in China. And as far as the pay you are right about that. I saw the average cost of how much you can make teaching in China and it was somewhere between 800 to 900 US dollars. Korea was 1900 to 2000 US dollars and Japan was up to 3000 dollars. 

Your complaint seems very one sided. You complain about the agents and the schools, but don't say whether you are a qualified teacher legally entitled to work in China. Normally, legally qualified teachers don't need to use agents, or work at places like EF. They can apply to the legitimate schools directly.

Regardless of your personal situation, more than half the foreign teachers in China are scamming the agents and schools, so it is a two way street. Unfortunately, if you are a legitimate teacher, you are copping the fallout from all the scam teachers. So it is not all the fault of the Chinese.

You also expressed concern about staying long enough to get everything, referring, I assume, to being reimbursed for airfare at the end of the contract. Does that imply that you did not intend to work for the full term of the contract?

If you have been in China before, as appears, you will know that agents feel compelled to cheat foreigners no matter what happens, and you wouldn't deal with them. It also seems that you didn't wait for the paperwork to be done properly, indicating that you were in a rush to get away from where you were to somewhere new.

I think if you are going to travel internationally for a job, it makes sense to ensure that you have a legitimate contract before you leave, and that you have the correct paperwork and visa to legally work in the country you are headed to before you leave.

Schools that are willing to to wait for this will usually try to cheat you less often (they will still try to cheat you, but won't be as obsessive about it). If a school or agent is telling you that you must hurry, because classes start in two days, then a reasonable person would consider why the school has ended up in this situation. Obviously, something is not right. Why haven't they been able to get a teacher well in advance? Why hasn't any one else been interested?

To answer your question, yes, China is closing itself off again. First, they are overly confident in their ability to do things by themselves, and second, there is a giant paranoia steak amongst the Chinese that they will once again be dominated by foreign powers. A third factor, particularly in the education industry, is that lying and scamming by many foreign teachers is so rampant, that the government has targeted foreign teachers in general.

Ironically, it will probably be because of these largely unjustified mindsets that their economy will collapse, and they will find themselves, once again, at the mercy of the foreign powers that will want to preserve their investment in China.

That I do agree with, Traveler.  Now, the rewards for teaching here, and what you can get out of it, is almost non-existent.  This is mostly the point I am seeking from others.  This is what I feel, and it's sad.  It really is tougher now, and unrewarding to the point that you do have to question whether it is worth coming here.

Yet, there are so many schools looking for teachers, but there are also so many illegal schools.  

How are we going to solve this problem, or more to the point, how can they do it?

You're right, they will collapse.

We have it one way or another.  Either they will continue to have loads of illegals, or they will not have enough teachers.  Here lis the balance of the problem.  It's one or the other.

Same problem I ran into. Lots of schools willing to hire me, but none of them willing to pay for my return airfare to get the Z visa.

I'm unable to get my Z visa in Hong Kong, so my only option is to either work illegally, go home and wait for the visa ($1600 for a round-trip ticket, and almost $300 for the visa service) or just continue to play WoW all day long since there's nothing else to do here.

Oh, wait... my WoW account was banned for "cheating," since I logged in from China. I'll just watch movies, I guess.

Simple answer, as Traveler suggested - get qualified!!! If you're a 'legit' teacher, good schools will bend over backwards to get you everything you need (and quite a bit that you'll want, as well!)

I think the HK visa run has been limited because of the all the non-legit teachers, and the scammy agents and schools. While it's unlikely to have much of an effect, it will have some effect on those teachers who would prefer to be legal. That's about all.

It's a knee-jerk reaction from the government, and doesn't actually tackle the problem. Hopefully, this'll just be one problem.

Btw, CarlG19.... interesting, that you've only been here for.. 3 years (maybe), and already you can make such comments and observations! I'd like to hear from someone who's been here for 10 years!

something must be wrong with me. before coming to china i did a lot of research. one of the things i learned was not to sign on with a school that does not handle the visa. 

what the puck is up with the HK visa run?? can someone explain this to me? 

i vetted the  schools before i signed the contract . there was one school that wanted to send my passport to another city to be processed, red flag 1. the apartment they wanted to put me up in was for chinese teachers, red flag 2 (not safea approved). i've only been here for a couple of years before i learned the laws with regards to schools and foreign teachers so  ... forget it. maybe i'm crazy. i knew coming in that i need to be the one to make sure all the "i's" are dotted and "t's" crossed. i don't trust the school to look out for me, i look out for myself. 

i can't figure out why so many people have the same problems over and over again with schools. and i did not spend anything. so why are you having to spend a fortune???

No. I don't think it's worth it. I am one of these much-maligned, unqualified charlatans you all seem too keen to execute through forums.  Having said that, I took my work seriously, tried my hardest, and can hold a class far better than someone with a Mickey Mouse Sports Science degree.

Let's face facts. China is a fairly horrible and rude place. If it's not the locals winding everyone up, then it's ex-pats that have this belief they are the only ones worthy of a China life.

We all know how the system works. If a school can roll out a pretty, white face then they're happy. How they go about this is the difference. I didn't think my old school was up to much, but having read a few threads on here, it seems they were pretty good. Flight in advance. Room for free with no bills. Not only did they pay for all my visa costs, they also faked my certification for me. It seems like I resided in a Chinese heaven and didn't realise it.

I think we should go to China for the experience and not with an idea to make money.  Personally, I'm not sure I'll ever set foot back in that country again.That's just the conclusion two years of living there has left me with. If you're qualified then that's great - but perhaps avoid China and head elsewhere. It's saturated and has had it's day.

It is starting to look like if you want something short term (less than 2 or 3 years) that China is a bit of risk that might not be worth taking.  However, if you are interested in staying around longer than that and invest in getting properly certified (more than just a TEFL) then there is still a pretty good future here. 

Exactly how will the laws in July become stricter? 

Oh, I forgot ....

The way China has been going over the last few years (decade??), more and more joint ventures with overseas universities have been opened up, and they tend to offer somewhat more money and conditions for qualified and experienced teachers. This trend will probably increase, as more and more Chinese get more and more money... and the willingness to spend that money on their kids to go to foreign universities.

The last place I worked, I was taking home about 13K as part of an Australian program, while my FT colleagues in a different faculty (Foreign Language) were on about 5000/month... and less qualified (in some instances).

China is getting worse for those wanting a holiday... but is getting much nicer for a career!

Hello, I've been teaching here for 5 years and have never been cheated. First of all, I always contact the school directly. I check the map to see whether this school/address/building exists. Second, I came here in 2008 with a Z visa. Sorry to say that you have created all those problems by yourself. It is illegal to work in China on L visa, so you were the first to break the law.

It is worth to be in China, but is it worth to teach in China? Not for me. No school that I have been in contact with is worth my time and energy. The students are, but not the schools. I have been with a school that treated me good, even though i had to really watch my pay, and be quite stern to not being cheated. But that same school cheated other teachers in a terrible way. By principle, why would I want to give that school my time and energy? Finding a school that is just and fair to the teachers and the students will be like finding a needle in the....

After all our expenses for visa and flights etc, you really dont make any money, and if you do, is it worth it? For me, no.

Better to work back home, and just visit China.

 I would have to say it definately not worth teaching long-term in China no more.   For several reasons besides the Government making it harder for schools or training centers to issue work visas.     However, I disagree with one thing the writer of this article wrote.  In most cases about 95 percent of the time, Americans can still be living in China and get the Z visa, resident permit, and Foreign Expert Certificate without going back to America.  As I have said before on these forums.   All the person has to do is find a school that is actually liscensed and can prove they are liscensed to issue the Foreign Expert Certificate.  If they dont show you a liscense or they are not listed as one of the approved schools by the Ministry of Education that can issue work permits than they are lying to you.  They should be be able to provide with this information.    That being said,  the school has to issue a invitation letter, which they can do while you are in china, apply for the foreign expert certificate, and resident permit.   All you need to do this is to have you police background check, a state background check is good enough in most cases, or an FBI background check only cost you around 330 rmb at the most.  You need to bring your health exam records to China, but in some cases they will just have you go to a hospital here in China and get that done.  You would than need to register at the local police but dont tell them you are working here, that would be really stupid.   Just say you are in the process of trying to apply for a work visa.     You need at least 2 passport photos, your University diploma at least Bachelors Degree,  Tefl certificate, and provide or make up two years of teaching experience in your home country, which they never check to verify, so you can fake it.    If you have been working here illegally like 85 percent of teachers do because Goverment wont let more schools or training centes issue work permits unless they pay them a  lot of Hong Bao, than do not include any work experience with schools that can not hire foreigners.  This part they will check for sure, so be wise!   You need to submit an application.    Once you have all that than the school or training center has to do the rest for you, you can not do it by yourself, unless someone can tell me otherwise and prove me wrong, that would be great also.    Than once you get approved by the Minsitry of Education for the Work Permit, Resident Premit,  you send all the documents together.  I mean you can mail them to the Chinese Embassy Consulate in America.  The only thing you need to do is find a friend, relative, or an agent who works with those embassies and ask them to appear there for you in person on your behalf to apply for the Z visa.  Yes you can do this because I was at the embassy and I asked them myself.  No need to come back to America, who cares about going to HK anyway.     As for teaching here long term.  I dont think its a good idea any more,  There is a lot more competition.  Many teachers here are accepting lower standards, less pay, less benefits, extra work, which I think cheapens the industry and drives down the pay and benefits for everyone else.    The government knows so many more people are coming, so yes they are going to make it harder.  Eventually I believe people will not be able to teach here unless they all have certified teaching certificates, tefl, and in many cases at least 2 or more years teaching exp, this is where I see the trend going.    Not to mention,  prices are going up, housing is going up, the market is becoming saturated and in places like Shenzhen the wages are not going up.   Teaching should be a platform to build up Guangxi and other types of business relationships so when the industry finally does collaspe or severly slow down, than the teachers can create their own business opportunities and not be dependent on teaching English anymore.    Yes, I agree  most agents and recruiters suck and cheat people, avoid them like the plague.

Be careful! A lot of companies that I ran into lure you with something like 8,000 RMB a month but only pay you for the days you work. Example: 8,000/30 working days. If you only work 20 working days, then you will not be paid that amount. 

Another thing is that a lot of schools would claim to help me get a proper visa, and then turn a blind eye when my visa was about to expire. I am an American, and went to have my visa extended at the immigration office inside China. The visa agent denied me my visa extension but when I told him I had called prior to visiting to make sure I could get my visa extended, he extended it (but he wouldn't talk, nor look at me after). 

I'd also like to mention that the company that originally recruited me to China was a total scam: 

I was approached by a woman named "Jiangle" who asked me if I was interested in coming to work in China as an au pair or teacher. After a few months, I had finally agreed to coming to China on the conditions that were offered to me: I was to work a a nursery or language school; I would have accommodation provided in a dorm with other teachers with my own private bedroom; meals were included; I'd be paid 4,000 RMB (this is a super low salary, come to find out) a month. 

Upon arrival I was put into a hotel for a day (which they warned me might happen). The hotel wasn't allowed to host foreigners, but they were on good terms with Dragon Charm and I was able to stay. The day after my arrival I food out I didn't actually have a job, even tough I was told I had one before I came to China. The jobs that were offered to me had various hours, and at one point I was asked to work three jobs that included mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends. I had to spend two days applying for jobs around the area, and one nursery offered me a job working part-time, but would not provide accommodation or food. On top of this, I was required to au pair (which I had not agreed to prior to coming; I had agreed to come as a teacher). The family that I would au pair for did not speak English, and I would have to share a room with a Chinese teen girl, when I was promised private accommodation. Sometimes I’d decline an offer made by Dragon Charm but when I accepted, the offer was suddenly gone the next day. One host family that I was supposed to go with went on a trip abroad (apparently) and Dragon Charm could not contact them for days.

I had agreed to sign a contract for 2-3 months. Upon arrival, I was repeatedly pressured to sign a contract for a year. Some jobs would not hire me because I wouldn't stay for a year. The contract that I was asked to sign also states that 2,500 RMB will be deducted if you leave prior to that, which wasn't mentioned to me when I agreed to staying for two months. Upon arrival, I was asked to work in a school that was in another city, and was an hour away by train ride. I hesitated, but agreed to do this. After agreeing, I was rejected because I would not sign a year contract. Jiangle explained that they wanted someone dedicated even though she told me it was fine to come for two months. Someone else was also offered this job without my knowledge.

The woman who hired me, "Jiangle", is not even in China. She is in London, and had very clearly lied about being in China. On their website it says that she has worked and studied in London from 2003-09 but says nothing about her current whereabouts. If you have any trouble in China and need to speak to her, you will have to wait until mid day and reach her on Skype. I had worked out all the details with "Jiangle" before coming to Changsha, but upon arriving, her company Dragon Charm had no idea about those arrangements and disregarded everything I had agreed upon. Sadly to say, I found "Jiangle" very dishonest. She also sent me false pictures of where I’d be staying and working. She sent me a contract and when I arrived, I was given a different contract with different conditions including less pay… 

"Jiangle" pressured me into staying, saying that I had no place to go in China, and reminding me that I spoke no Chinese. This situation looked grim, but after a strange twist of events I met FOUR other foreigners who had the SAME problem: Jiangle had recruited them using the same pictures that she sent me, and they had no job upon arrival when promised a job upon arrival. Some of them had been put into a hotel, a shared room with a Chinese citizen, or demanded a private room to stay in. All of us left Dragon Charm but not after paying for our flights to China, a visa, hotel, food, and transportation costs. Dragon Charm also doesn't provide a legal working visa.

Dragon Charm used my pictures on their website. I send "Jiangle" an email reading, "Hello Jiangle, I hope all is going well on your end! It was brought to my attention that my picture had been posted onto Dragon Charm's website. Can you please kindly remove it? Thank you, K." 

The emails I received back were not so kind, and "Jiangle" refused to take down my photos (although I have no permission for her to use them… Her staff was taking pictures of us, claiming she wanted to show them to her friends). 

Jiangle wrote back: "…if you are not comfortable, I can ask them put mosaic cross your face. if someone take a picture of your president or some other person and then put on their website, do they need the authorization from Mr obama?"

I'm not saying that all companies are like this, but please, please be careful. I've met some really honest headmasters, and some more-than-happy teachers. You get a lot of benefits by working for most companies so footing in an extra hour or two isn't a killer...

Employing procedures are as follows:

1, the employing institution autonomy and foreign applicants to finalize terms and conditions of employment contracts, signed, report to the local administrative department of Education (provincial colleges directly reported to the provincial administrative department of education). The need for teachers to provide general conditions: 1) the minimum standards of teacher's salary per month prescribed by 2200 yuan / person, not on cap; 2) one year contract offer from the international travel or set a maximum limit (generally 7000 to 8000 yuan), six months period to provide a single ticket; 3) to provide free housing, general requirements: have a separate bedroom, living room, toilet and bathroom, color TV, air-conditioning and heating, can set up internet telephone, refrigerator, washing machine and the necessary furniture; 4) in addition to give certain telephone charges, charges for water and electricity subsidies or bear in full; 5) 2200 yuan travel subsidies every year; 6) according to the Chinese workers standard medical subsidies; 7) enjoy paid vacation; 7) transfer to the nearest International Airport); 8 teaching hours generally in 12 to 16 hours per week;

2, the provincial education administrative departments shall be approved and issued the invitation letter and experts confirmed cases (some provinces to the Provincial Foreign Affairs Office for the two documents);

3, delivery of invitation and experts confirmed to foreign teachers, foreign teachers in our country;

4 in the consulates and embassies to apply for a work visa. Namely: Z visa or lecturing visa, namely: F visa;

5, teachers determine the arrival date, booking air tickets, notify the hiring unit machine;

6, teachers at the school. In addition, because many employers hire time of emergency, many domestic provinces, city can agree to each unit let teachers first bid for the travel visa to China, after arrival in a month by the employing units to change the visa prefix.

 No its not worth teaching here anymore.   Its better to work for yourself.

Sorry I have no opinion on this I've just bumped it to get rid of Silva's inane multi-drivel from the front page.

  Sorry I was incorrect    Apparently now,  99.9  percent of the time all foreingers must go back to their home country, HK, or Mongolia to get the work and resident permit.   Yes the embassies in such countries as America can issue the Z visa without the person going back to those countries.   Unfortunately, recently I was infromed that has changed.    Now, the foreingers must get an entry stamp on their Z visas.   Even if the foreigners is already here on a Tourist or F visa and which to convert it to the Z.     Its very hypercritcal, the Chinese goverment allows us to come for the L and F visa no questions asked, but once we are here and want to work legally, they force us to go back to our country again, and than come back here.    This is total nonsense!   Its not worth working or teaching here anymore.    

Warning for all ESL Teachers coming to Changsha, China of using Work in China/Dragon Charm Agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warning for all ESL Teachers coming to teach at kindergartens/nursery schools in Changsha or other places in China using an agency called Work in China or Dragon Charm. It is the same agency which keeps changing its name. If you decide to teach in China using this agency, then I must warn you. I am one of the former ESL teachers who had very bad experience with the people of this agency. I worked very hard at King International Kindergarten in Changsha throughout the whole period of my contract and, in the end, I was not paid for the last month. They also didn’t reimburse my insurance as stated in the contract. I used different means to convince Roger, supposedly the main manager of the agency (but in fact, it is very difficult to say who the main manager is), to pay me what he owes me, but all attempts were in vain.

I asked then for help the Police of Changsha, the leadership as well as the owner of King Kindergarten, and the parents of my children’s  group, who all tried their best to force him to pay me, but he didn’t care about anything. Their all gave me lots of support which I will never forget. 

When Roger and one of his assistants arrived at the airport a few hours before my departure to hand over my money after being forced by the main boss of all Wanying Kindergartens and the director of King, he wanted me to sign a letter full of lies which I couldn't accept and sign at all. He then started very aggressively to shout at Mrs. Isabel who is one of the parents of King, who was there to monitor the situation and be my support. In the end, I had to protect her from his aggressive shouting. Apart from that he and one of the workers of the agency stole my statement which I prepared in advance for him to sign which simply says that Roger paid me 5200 rmb which cover July salary and insurance money, and declares that there is nothing else to pay on the part of the agency in the future. I think it was a fair statement. So, he stole it with my signature and without paying me anything - in front of kindergarten parent and security cameras. So, it can be considered as theft.

Regarding the insurance reimbursement. They first told me that they do not remember that I gave them money for insurance. When I brought a document signed by Roger which clearly says that they deducted insurance from my salary and will this sum reimburse at the end of my stay, then they tried another tricks telling me that I have no right to get it back. When I several times asked for the receipt of my insurance, Mona (one of the workers) told me that she doesn't know anything about my insurance. I wanted to see a doctor in Changsha but I couldn’t. I kept being sick since I didn’t have any insurance number, card or receipt. So, I think that they even didn’t pay any insuruance and just took my money into their pockets.

I think enough is enough. This kind of behavior isabsolutely unacceptable. I will be not surprised if the Wanying Kindergarten chain and other kindergartens will stop collaborating with this agency in the future. Roger laughed when I told him that I will report him and the whole agency of doing illegal things, breaking immigration laws, forcing teachers to do illegal things, promising them that work permit will be prepared upon arrival in China etc. 

I have enough evidence against them such as emails, voice records, sms, documents etc which I started collecting long time ago on recommendation of some foreign teachers who told me that the agency is very bad as they played with so many of them dirty games similar to what happened to me later. By the way on the Internet you can see already bad comments about this agency.

In addition to that, I can also say that some of the agency people have very poor English which often caused serious problems in communication if they didn’t understand what the teachers said. To mention is also the fact that I several times during my contract time discovered mistakes in my salary and electricity/water bills. I always had feelings that Mona or somebody else tried to cheat me. When I mentioned that there are mistakes there, they made corrections, but I don’t want to think of what would have happened if hadn’t mentioned it.

I hereby ask all former ISL teachers who also had bad experience with this agency, no matter what the current name was, to share their experience in order to warn all future ISL teachers of using this agency.

I am not giving up, I am going to continue my “fight” in diplomatic way because it is not only about my money but also about the principle. Somebody must stop these people of doing such bad things like cheating, playing tricks and stealing. I will fight for fairness and truth. I will fight against darkness which must be defeated. The world cannot work like this agency. Bad, rude and ruthless people must be punished.

So, please, do not trust this Agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They lie and cheat people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You will lose a lot of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do so, then you do it at your own risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warning for all ESL Teachers coming to Changsha, China of using Work in China/Dragon Charm Agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warning for all ESL Teachers coming to teach at kindergartens/nursery schools in Changsha or other places in China using an agency called Work in China or Dragon Charm. It is the same agency which keeps changing its name. If you decide to teach in China using this agency, then I must warn you. I am one of the former ESL teachers who had very bad experience with the people of this agency. I worked very hard at King International Kindergarten in Changsha throughout the whole period of my contract and, in the end, I was not paid for the last month. They also didn’t reimburse my insurance as stated in the contract. I used different means to convince Roger, supposedly the main manager of the agency (but in fact, it is very difficult to say who the main manager is), to pay me what he owes me, but all attempts were in vain.

I asked then for help the Police of Changsha, the leadership as well as the owner of King Kindergarten, and the parents of my children’s  group, who all tried their best to force him to pay me, but he didn’t care about anything. Their all gave me lots of support which I will never forget. 

When Roger and one of his assistants arrived at the airport a few hours before my departure to hand over my money after being forced by the main boss of all Wanying Kindergartens and the director of King, he wanted me to sign a letter full of lies which I couldn't accept and sign at all. He then started very aggressively to shout at Mrs. Isabel who is one of the parents of King, who was there to monitor the situation and be my support. In the end, I had to protect her from his aggressive shouting. Apart from that he and one of the workers of the agency stole my statement which I prepared in advance for him to sign which simply says that Roger paid me 5200 rmb which cover July salary and insurance money, and declares that there is nothing else to pay on the part of the agency in the future. I think it was a fair statement. So, he stole it with my signature and without paying me anything - in front of kindergarten parent and security cameras. So, it can be considered as theft.

Regarding the insurance reimbursement. They first told me that they do not remember that I gave them money for insurance. When I brought a document signed by Roger which clearly says that they deducted insurance from my salary and will this sum reimburse at the end of my stay, then they tried another tricks telling me that I have no right to get it back. When I several times asked for the receipt of my insurance, Mona (one of the workers) told me that she doesn't know anything about my insurance. I wanted to see a doctor in Changsha but I couldn’t. I kept being sick since I didn’t have any insurance number, card or receipt. So, I think that they even didn’t pay any insuruance and just took my money into their pockets.

I think enough is enough. This kind of behavior isabsolutely unacceptable. I will be not surprised if the Wanying Kindergarten chain and other kindergartens will stop collaborating with this agency in the future. Roger laughed when I told him that I will report him and the whole agency of doing illegal things, breaking immigration laws, forcing teachers to do illegal things, promising them that work permit will be prepared upon arrival in China etc. 

I have enough evidence against them such as emails, voice records, sms, documents etc which I started collecting long time ago on recommendation of some foreign teachers who told me that the agency is very bad as they played with so many of them dirty games similar to what happened to me later. By the way on the Internet you can see already bad comments about this agency.

In addition to that, I can also say that some of the agency people have very poor English which often caused serious problems in communication if they didn’t understand what the teachers said. To mention is also the fact that I several times during my contract time discovered mistakes in my salary and electricity/water bills. I always had feelings that Mona or somebody else tried to cheat me. When I mentioned that there are mistakes there, they made corrections, but I don’t want to think of what would have happened if hadn’t mentioned it.

I hereby ask all former ISL teachers who also had bad experience with this agency, no matter what the current name was, to share their experience in order to warn all future ISL teachers of using this agency.

I am not giving up, I am going to continue my “fight” in diplomatic way because it is not only about my money but also about the principle. Somebody must stop these people of doing such bad things like cheating, playing tricks and stealing. I will fight for fairness and truth. I will fight against darkness which must be defeated. The world cannot work like this agency. Bad, rude and ruthless people must be punished.

So, please, do not trust this Agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They lie and cheat people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You will lose a lot of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do so, then you do it at your own risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warning for all ESL Teachers coming to Changsha, China of using Work in China/Dragon Charm Agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warning for all ESL Teachers coming to teach at kindergartens/nursery schools in Changsha or other places in China using an agency called Work in China or Dragon Charm. It is the same agency which keeps changing its name. If you decide to teach in China using this agency, then I must warn you. I am one of the former ESL teachers who had very bad experience with the people of this agency. I worked very hard at King International Kindergarten in Changsha throughout the whole period of my contract and, in the end, I was not paid for the last month. They also didn’t reimburse my insurance as stated in the contract. I used different means to convince Roger, supposedly the main manager of the agency (but in fact, it is very difficult to say who the main manager is), to pay me what he owes me, but all attempts were in vain.

I asked then for help the Police of Changsha, the leadership as well as the owner of King Kindergarten, and the parents of my children’s  group, who all tried their best to force him to pay me, but he didn’t care about anything. Their all gave me lots of support which I will never forget. 

When Roger and one of his assistants arrived at the airport a few hours before my departure to hand over my money after being forced by the main boss of all Wanying Kindergartens and the director of King, he wanted me to sign a letter full of lies which I couldn't accept and sign at all. He then started very aggressively to shout at Mrs. Isabel who is one of the parents of King, who was there to monitor the situation and be my support. In the end, I had to protect her from his aggressive shouting. Apart from that he and one of the workers of the agency stole my statement which I prepared in advance for him to sign which simply says that Roger paid me 5200 rmb which cover July salary and insurance money, and declares that there is nothing else to pay on the part of the agency in the future. I think it was a fair statement. So, he stole it with my signature and without paying me anything - in front of kindergarten parent and security cameras. So, it can be considered as theft.

Regarding the insurance reimbursement. They first told me that they do not remember that I gave them money for insurance. When I brought a document signed by Roger which clearly says that they deducted insurance from my salary and will this sum reimburse at the end of my stay, then they tried another tricks telling me that I have no right to get it back. When I several times asked for the receipt of my insurance, Mona (one of the workers) told me that she doesn't know anything about my insurance. I wanted to see a doctor in Changsha but I couldn’t. I kept being sick since I didn’t have any insurance number, card or receipt. So, I think that they even didn’t pay any insuruance and just took my money into their pockets.

I think enough is enough. This kind of behavior isabsolutely unacceptable. I will be not surprised if the Wanying Kindergarten chain and other kindergartens will stop collaborating with this agency in the future. Roger laughed when I told him that I will report him and the whole agency of doing illegal things, breaking immigration laws, forcing teachers to do illegal things, promising them that work permit will be prepared upon arrival in China etc. 

I have enough evidence against them such as emails, voice records, sms, documents etc which I started collecting long time ago on recommendation of some foreign teachers who told me that the agency is very bad as they played with so many of them dirty games similar to what happened to me later. By the way on the Internet you can see already bad comments about this agency.

In addition to that, I can also say that some of the agency people have very poor English which often caused serious problems in communication if they didn’t understand what the teachers said. To mention is also the fact that I several times during my contract time discovered mistakes in my salary and electricity/water bills. I always had feelings that Mona or somebody else tried to cheat me. When I mentioned that there are mistakes there, they made corrections, but I don’t want to think of what would have happened if hadn’t mentioned it.

I hereby ask all former ISL teachers who also had bad experience with this agency, no matter what the current name was, to share their experience in order to warn all future ISL teachers of using this agency.

I am not giving up, I am going to continue my “fight” in diplomatic way because it is not only about my money but also about the principle. Somebody must stop these people of doing such bad things like cheating, playing tricks and stealing. I will fight for fairness and truth. I will fight against darkness which must be defeated. The world cannot work like this agency. Bad, rude and ruthless people must be punished.

So, please, do not trust this Agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They lie and cheat people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You will lose a lot of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do so, then you do it at your own risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warning for all ESL Teachers coming to Changsha, China of using Work in China/Dragon Charm Agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warning for all ESL Teachers coming to teach at kindergartens/nursery schools in Changsha or other places in China using an agency called Work in China or Dragon Charm. It is the same agency which keeps changing its name. If you decide to teach in China using this agency, then I must warn you. I am one of the former ESL teachers who had very bad experience with the people of this agency. I worked very hard at King International Kindergarten in Changsha throughout the whole period of my contract and, in the end, I was not paid for the last month. They also didn’t reimburse my insurance as stated in the contract. I used different means to convince Roger, supposedly the main manager of the agency (but in fact, it is very difficult to say who the main manager is), to pay me what he owes me, but all attempts were in vain.

I asked then for help the Police of Changsha, the leadership as well as the owner of King Kindergarten, and the parents of my children’s  group, who all tried their best to force him to pay me, but he didn’t care about anything. Their all gave me lots of support which I will never forget. 

When Roger and one of his assistants arrived at the airport a few hours before my departure to hand over my money after being forced by the main boss of all Wanying Kindergartens and the director of King, he wanted me to sign a letter full of lies which I couldn't accept and sign at all. He then started very aggressively to shout at Mrs. Isabel who is one of the parents of King, who was there to monitor the situation and be my support. In the end, I had to protect her from his aggressive shouting. Apart from that he and one of the workers of the agency stole my statement which I prepared in advance for him to sign which simply says that Roger paid me 5200 rmb which cover July salary and insurance money, and declares that there is nothing else to pay on the part of the agency in the future. I think it was a fair statement. So, he stole it with my signature and without paying me anything - in front of kindergarten parent and security cameras. So, it can be considered as theft.

Regarding the insurance reimbursement. They first told me that they do not remember that I gave them money for insurance. When I brought a document signed by Roger which clearly says that they deducted insurance from my salary and will this sum reimburse at the end of my stay, then they tried another tricks telling me that I have no right to get it back. When I several times asked for the receipt of my insurance, Mona (one of the workers) told me that she doesn't know anything about my insurance. I wanted to see a doctor in Changsha but I couldn’t. I kept being sick since I didn’t have any insurance number, card or receipt. So, I think that they even didn’t pay any insuruance and just took my money into their pockets.

I think enough is enough. This kind of behavior isabsolutely unacceptable. I will be not surprised if the Wanying Kindergarten chain and other kindergartens will stop collaborating with this agency in the future. Roger laughed when I told him that I will report him and the whole agency of doing illegal things, breaking immigration laws, forcing teachers to do illegal things, promising them that work permit will be prepared upon arrival in China etc. 

I have enough evidence against them such as emails, voice records, sms, documents etc which I started collecting long time ago on recommendation of some foreign teachers who told me that the agency is very bad as they played with so many of them dirty games similar to what happened to me later. By the way on the Internet you can see already bad comments about this agency.

In addition to that, I can also say that some of the agency people have very poor English which often caused serious problems in communication if they didn’t understand what the teachers said. To mention is also the fact that I several times during my contract time discovered mistakes in my salary and electricity/water bills. I always had feelings that Mona or somebody else tried to cheat me. When I mentioned that there are mistakes there, they made corrections, but I don’t want to think of what would have happened if hadn’t mentioned it.

I hereby ask all former ISL teachers who also had bad experience with this agency, no matter what the current name was, to share their experience in order to warn all future ISL teachers of using this agency.

I am not giving up, I am going to continue my “fight” in diplomatic way because it is not only about my money but also about the principle. Somebody must stop these people of doing such bad things like cheating, playing tricks and stealing. I will fight for fairness and truth. I will fight against darkness which must be defeated. The world cannot work like this agency. Bad, rude and ruthless people must be punished.

So, please, do not trust this Agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They lie and cheat people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You will lose a lot of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do so, then you do it at your own risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warning for all ESL Teachers coming to Changsha, China of using Work in China/Dragon Charm Agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Warning for all ESL Teachers coming to teach at kindergartens/nursery schools in Changsha or other places in China using an agency called Work in China or Dragon Charm. It is the same agency which keeps changing its name. If you decide to teach in China using this agency, then I must warn you. I am one of the former ESL teachers who had very bad experience with the people of this agency. I worked very hard at King International Kindergarten in Changsha throughout the whole period of my contract and, in the end, I was not paid for the last month. They also didn’t reimburse my insurance as stated in the contract. I used different means to convince Roger, supposedly the main manager of the agency (but in fact, it is very difficult to say who the main manager is), to pay me what he owes me, but all attempts were in vain.

I asked then for help the Police of Changsha, the leadership as well as the owner of King Kindergarten, and the parents of my children’s  group, who all tried their best to force him to pay me, but he didn’t care about anything. Their all gave me lots of support which I will never forget. 

When Roger and one of his assistants arrived at the airport a few hours before my departure to hand over my money after being forced by the main boss of all Wanying Kindergartens and the director of King, he wanted me to sign a letter full of lies which I couldn't accept and sign at all. He then started very aggressively to shout at Mrs. Isabel who is one of the parents of King, who was there to monitor the situation and be my support. In the end, I had to protect her from his aggressive shouting. Apart from that he and one of the workers of the agency stole my statement which I prepared in advance for him to sign which simply says that Roger paid me 5200 rmb which cover July salary and insurance money, and declares that there is nothing else to pay on the part of the agency in the future. I think it was a fair statement. So, he stole it with my signature and without paying me anything - in front of kindergarten parent and security cameras. So, it can be considered as theft.

Regarding the insurance reimbursement. They first told me that they do not remember that I gave them money for insurance. When I brought a document signed by Roger which clearly says that they deducted insurance from my salary and will this sum reimburse at the end of my stay, then they tried another tricks telling me that I have no right to get it back. When I several times asked for the receipt of my insurance, Mona (one of the workers) told me that she doesn't know anything about my insurance. I wanted to see a doctor in Changsha but I couldn’t. I kept being sick since I didn’t have any insurance number, card or receipt. So, I think that they even didn’t pay any insuruance and just took my money into their pockets.

I think enough is enough. This kind of behavior isabsolutely unacceptable. I will be not surprised if the Wanying Kindergarten chain and other kindergartens will stop collaborating with this agency in the future. Roger laughed when I told him that I will report him and the whole agency of doing illegal things, breaking immigration laws, forcing teachers to do illegal things, promising them that work permit will be prepared upon arrival in China etc. 

I have enough evidence against them such as emails, voice records, sms, documents etc which I started collecting long time ago on recommendation of some foreign teachers who told me that the agency is very bad as they played with so many of them dirty games similar to what happened to me later. By the way on the Internet you can see already bad comments about this agency.

In addition to that, I can also say that some of the agency people have very poor English which often caused serious problems in communication if they didn’t understand what the teachers said. To mention is also the fact that I several times during my contract time discovered mistakes in my salary and electricity/water bills. I always had feelings that Mona or somebody else tried to cheat me. When I mentioned that there are mistakes there, they made corrections, but I don’t want to think of what would have happened if hadn’t mentioned it.

I hereby ask all former ISL teachers who also had bad experience with this agency, no matter what the current name was, to share their experience in order to warn all future ISL teachers of using this agency.

I am not giving up, I am going to continue my “fight” in diplomatic way because it is not only about my money but also about the principle. Somebody must stop these people of doing such bad things like cheating, playing tricks and stealing. I will fight for fairness and truth. I will fight against darkness which must be defeated. The world cannot work like this agency. Bad, rude and ruthless people must be punished.

So, please, do not trust this Agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They lie and cheat people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You will lose a lot of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do so, then you do it at your own risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!