Breaking Your Contract in China: New Consequences for Pulling a “Midnight Run”

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I would truly love to see a facility for foreign teachers to complain to a similar department about schools, and then the department would measure complaints and apply a similar standard for blacklisting them. The obvious problem with this is that it would essentially create a 2 way type of communication and people who don't need visas to be in the Middle Kingdom are much more fond of the 1 way type of "communication".

How about a safe list of schools approved by SAFEA so that laowais would know which horrible schools to avoid?

Schools would just bribe their way onto the safe list, unfortunately. :(

The China Foreign Teachers union are wrong in so, so many ways, but they have provided us all with a nice little blacklist.

I think the done thing is to copy the relevant part of webpages, but please tell me mods if it's too long, and you just want the link. http://www.chinaforeignteachersunion.org/

Quote
Be advised that large chain operations like English First, Wall Street English, New Oriental, etc. should not be judged by the problems or misdeeds of one or two locations.

Beijing’s 12 Worst Schools (“The Dirty Dozen”)
http://www.globalblacklist.org

Woodpecker English (Beijing - Zhongguancun)  Manager Liu Lei
This school has a notorious reputation for not paying last paychecks and withholding release letters. We have received complaints from three teachers who report being threatened and/or bribed by Manager Liu Lei not to make problems. Steer clear of this school.  The actual complaints were not authorized for publication, and we respect the requests of the three teachers who actually fear retaliation from Mr. Liu.

Pingyang Quishi School (Wenzhou)
http://open.salon.com/blog/china_business_central/2013/01/30/china_foreign_teachers_union_exposes_extortion_by_principals
 
Chi Cheng International School  (Xian)

http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6633-chi-cheng-international-english-school-gallop-xi-an-china

Tian Shuo School & "Maggie" (Chanchun)
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic1852-tian-shuo--changchun-china.aspx 

Fei Fan English School  (Fushun)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6622-review-of-fei-fan-english-school-fushun-liaoning-china


Dong Peng English (Online)
http://www.eslbase.com/forum/viewtopic/t-2148

English First (CCTV News Broadcast)

http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=47786  and  http://ef-hangzhou-china.blogspot.com/#!/2012/10/checking-employers-credentials-before.html and http://ef-hangzhou-china.blogspot.com/#!/2012/10/checking-employers-credentials-before.html   and  http://ef-hangzhou-china.blogspot.com/#!/2012/10/ef-hangzhou-student-grades-corruption.html   and   http://ef-hangzhou-china.blogspot.com/#!/2012/10/ef-hangzhou-tax-avoidance-and-utilities.html  and http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic121-ef--english-first-china.aspx?MessageID=3549#post3549

Lucky Kids Kindergarten (Jiangdu)
See comments section below for details

ABC Foreign Language School
http://teflblacklist.blogspot.nl/2008/09/abc-foreign-language-training-school.html

Key Logic  a.k.a. Key-Logic (Beijing)

http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic2143-pay-salary--earnings-of-china-foreign-teachers.aspx and http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2012/12/21/free-demo-classes-are-becoming-scam-watch-out  and http://answers.echinacities.com/node/100048   and                                  http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic2067-key-logic-in-beijing-are-thieves--beware.aspx

Peng You English (Online)
This company refuses to provide a legitimate mailing address and ownership information and all emails are sent using a VPN service.

Rego International School (Shanghai)
http://shanghaiist.com/2012/01/13/shanghai_rego_international_school.php  and
http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/articles/blogs-shanghai/family-matters-shanghai/breaking-news-shanghai-rego-staff-faces-deportation-if-work-visas-not-obtained/

American Kids Language School (Hangzhou)  (see photos below)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6964-american-kids-language-school-hangzhou-warning

Cheery English (Shanghai)

http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=3854

Treville Foreign Language School (Guilin)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6682-treville-foreign-language-school-scam-guilin-guangxi

St. Paul Christian School
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=48104

Larry's Global English School (Taizhou)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6618-larry-global-english-taizhou-china

Shanghai Golden Apple School
http://teflblacklist.blogspot.nl/2008/08/shanghai-gold-apple-bilingual-school.html



Golden Tran a.k.a. Goldentran (Beijing)
http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2011/05/20/Any-good-one-on-one-English-school-in-CBD-Is-Goldentran-good

Web International English linked with China ESL  & Rebecca Tang (Beijing)
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic896-web-international-english--warning.aspx



North China Power Electric University
http://teflblacklist.blogspot.nl/2008/02/north-china-electric-power-university.html



Xuehui Science Kindergarten (Shanghai)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article123.htm



Runner Education (Xiamen)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article340.htm

Shanghai Kid's MBA Young American English School (Shanghai)
See comments section below for details

Okiki School, (Shangahi)

http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic15-international-scam-warning.aspx#post1302



Canada Worldly English  (Guangzhou)
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1088069293-94300.txt



Cornelli School
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic15-international-scam-warning.aspx#post1934



Larry Global English  (Taizhou)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6618-larry-global-english-taizhou-china



Warren School of Language  (Yinchuan)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6593-warren-school-of-language-yinchuan-warning

ECA (Guangzhou)
http://www.esl-jobs-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6030



Kid Castle (Hangzhou)
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic15-international-scam-warning.aspx#post2204



Bilingo China  a.k.a. China Bilingo  a.k.a.  UFEIC  a.k.a.  UFIEC  (Beijing)
http://www.tefl.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=5685&p=13421#p13421 and
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic2133-warning--bilingo-china-cheats-foreign-teachers.aspx and http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2012/12/21/free-demo-classes-are-becoming-scam-watch-out#comment-602122 and http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2012/12/21/free-demo-classes-are-becoming-scam-watch-out#comment-601509 and http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/articles/blogs-beijing/expat-life/scam-alert-foreign-teacher-fraud/  and http://www.cleverchinacheaters.com/2012/09/the-china-blacklist-last-update-92012.html  and from TEFL Bad Apple and echinacities.com listings just recently deleted (money talks in China and 8 negative posts from 5 different FTs magically disappeared).



Wuhan Polytechnic University  (Wuhan)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6592-wuhan-polytechnic-university



Bluniverse School (Hefei)
http://teflblacklist.blogspot.nl/2007/02/bluniverse-hefei-china.html



World International English School (Suzhou)
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=48332



Birmy International School  (Taizhou)
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=48146



Yang En University (Quangzhou)
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1088174973-67166.txt



KISQ School (Qingdao)
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic15-international-scam-warning.aspx#post2592



Lingdong School  (Foshan)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6590-lingdong-foshan-china



Davis Language Center (Tianjin)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article8.htm



Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6591-jiangxi-university-of-traditional-chinese-medicine



Helen Group  (Hangzhou)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6575-china-tefl-network-helen-group-hangzhou-urgent-warning 



Fuzhou Polytechnical College (Fujian)
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic15-international-scam-warning.aspx#post2865



Tianjin University of Commerce (Tianjin)
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1086597142-661.txt



Aston English Schools (Shenyang)
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic107-aston-english-schools-china.aspx



Benxi Future English School (Dongbei)
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic553-david-hao-and-benxi-future-english-school.aspx



Yanjing Overseas Chinese University (Beijing)
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1079201175-78614.txt  and http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1085602907-24355.txt



Thornburi Language Center
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=48438



Ginzhou Foreign Language School
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6565-qinzhou-foreign-language-school-poor-treatment-to-teachers



Dezhou University
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6570-dezhou-university-college-is-hell



Shenzen Shiyan School
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=48618



Huija Kindergarten (Beijing)
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=48594

Kid's MBA  (Jiangsu Province - All Locations)
This school is not licensed to hire foreigners and will never provide Z visas nor release letters.

Wenzhou University
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6557-wenzhou-university-oujiang-college

Beijing Homestay (Beijing)
This operation is not licensed nor approved by the Minitry of Education and will not answer questions posed by the CFTU about the "deposits" they request from tecahers, nor issues pertaining to invitation letters and visas.

Weci English School
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=48655

Beijing High School No. 19
http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2012/02/07/Beijing-English-School-Blacklist#comment-599757


Dr. Duan & CMS Chinese Montessori Society
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6615-dr-duan-president-of-cms-chinese-montessori-society


TEFL Academy
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/5437-stay-away-from-tefl-academy



Guangdong Ocean University
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/5431-gdou-guangdong-ocean-university-in-zhanjiang-china

Zenith Kindergarten
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/5176-zenith-kindergarten-guangzhou

Decai Training Center (Guangzhou)
http://www.russellcase.net/americas-china-syndrome.html  and

http://teachinginchina.net/ and http://www.russellcase.net/forensic-facts.html

English First (Xian)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/5159-contract-details-for-ef-xian
Dell English (Songyuan)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6577-dell-english-school-songyuan

English First (Changchun)
http://eslwatch.info/china-2/good-school-review-in-china/6609-ef-changchun-greylist

New Jordan Education Group
http://eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/128-beware-new-jordan-education-group-all-branches

Shandong Provincial Modern School
http://eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/90-shandong-provisional-modern-school-culture-institute-in-jinan

Columbia Private English School (Changchun)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article270.htm

Golden Bridge School  (Harbin)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article94.htm

English Town  (Panjin)
http://eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/126-english-town-panjin-china

English First (Hangzhou)
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=48090

Childrens Joy Language School  (Harbin)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article370.htm

San Jie Foreign Language School (Beijing)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article364.htm

TCM China  (Beijing)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article272.htm

Yakup International (Beijing)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article64.htm and http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article34.htm  and http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article31.htm

Wall Street English (Shanghai)
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=48401

Auqi English School (Heliojiang)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article318.htm

Hebi School of Vocation & Technolog
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=47634

Harbin Star Foreign Language School  (Harbin)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article294.htm

Highbird International School (Harbin)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article293.htm

Roy English Training Center a.k.a. Roy Language Center (Helionjiang)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article32.htm                                    and http://www.englishschoolwatch.org/notebook_detail.php?topic_id=2109

Jingbei Foreign Language College (Hebei)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article141.htm                                                     and http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article267.htm

English First (Taiyuan)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article379.htm

John Gao's school, Number 2 foreign language school (AKA number 18 middle/high school), Modern English, People's Number Two Hospital, Shanxi university (Taiyuan)http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1101454561-39762.txt

Yincai School (Inner Mongolia)
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=3845 and http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=3945

New Century English School (Dalian)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article334.htm

Shutong Pattison (Liaoning)
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=3926

Delter International Business School
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article117.htm

Seder English Training Center (Dalian)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article284.htm

Icon Language Center (Suzho)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article7.htm

Jiangsu Huaian Modern English  (Jiangsu)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article274.htm

Nanjing Talent Academy  (Jiangsu)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article287.htm

Sino Canada High School  (Suzhou)
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1093239223-80936.txt

Stenford English (Jiangsu)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article232.htm

Hangzhou Babel English (Zhejiang)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article390.htm

Jinagxi University of Finance and Economics (JUFE)  (Nanchang)
http://www.abroadchina.org/html/cache=article171.htm

Yingtan College (Jiangxi)
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1083334358-43636.txt


AceLeader English School a.k.a. Ace Leader (Beijing)

http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2012/02/07/Beijing-English-School-Blacklist#comment-556047

Youth Academy Of Dance  a.k.a. YAD  a.k.a.  Tong Yi

Vivid English School  (Beijing)
http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2008/12/01/Vivid-English-Club-Owner-Steals-Money-Skips-Town

Suzhou Foreign Language School  (Suzhou)
http://www.tefl.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2896 

EtonKids a.k.a. Eton Kids  (Beijing)
http://etonkidsbeware.com/files/EtonLetter.pdf

Golden Apple  (Beijing)
http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2012/02/07/Beijing-English-School-Blacklist#comment-575659

Yu Ming Education Center aka Yuming Education Center (Tianjin)
http://www.esl-jobs-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=4641 
 
New Dynamic Institute  (Beijing & Shanghai)
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/forum/index.pl?read=80525

China ESL & Rebecca Tang  (Beijing)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-recruiters-review-in-china/5450-chinaesl-a-scam-bad-for-schools-and-teachers and http://www.thebeijinger.com/node/1592803 and http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2013/01/31/beware-chinaesl-scam-alert-rebecca-tang-will-rip-you and http://www.thebeijinger.com/node/1592803#comment-589030 and http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-chalkboard/travelsmith2/posts/11005-the-shadiest-contract-ive-ever-seen and http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=35714

Caig Hill  (China Esl Agent - See Photos Below)
http://craighillchinadailymail.blogspot.co.uk/ and  http://chinascampatrol.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/is-the-china-daily-post-and-editor-craig-hill-a-shill-scam/

Ameson Education  (America)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-recruiters-review-in-china/6583-ameson-education-aamp-culture-exchange-foundation   

 Athena Learning Center (Beijing) Owned/Operated By American Fugitive Sam Arnold
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/generalinformation/newsroom/mostwanted/SamuelNevielArnold.asp

American Kids Language Training School  (Hangzhou)
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic2192-american-kids-language-training-school---hanzhou.aspx?lastpage=1#post3809

Richard's English (Shaoxing) 
http://www.esl-jobs-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=5249

HK Sunbow Foreign Language Kindergarten (Guangdong)
(See Complaints in Comments Section Below)

Chi Cheng International Language School (Xian)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/6633-chi-cheng-international-english-school-gallop-xi-an-china
Guangdong Ocean University (Zhanjiang)
http://www.eslwatch.info/china-2/bad-school-review-in-china/5431-gdou-guangdong-ocean-university-in-zhanjiang-china

Mongolia College (Inner Mongolia)
http://www.esl-jobs-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=5402

Peng's Foreign Language Training School (Shenzen)
Unlicensed and Horric Contracts - 17 complaints received in 2012

Jilin Province Education & Maggie Wang aka Maggie Wong (Jilin)

http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic2245-do-not-work-for-jilin-province-education-maggie.aspx

Fei Fan English School (Fushun, Lioaning)
http://www.esl-jobs-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6162
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=48150

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xwarrior

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  • 2238

How about a safe list of schools approved by SAFEA so that laowais would know which horrible schools to avoid?

There are 6819 of them and they are listed here:

http://www.anesl.com/schools/info.asp?province=&page=1
I have my standards. They may be low, but I have them.
- Bette Midler

Tian Shuo School & "Maggie" (Chanchun)
http://china.eslteachercafe.com/topic1852-tian-shuo--changchun-china.aspx 

My first real job in China was with these clowns. The reason they are on this list would make an interesting movie. I did my full year, got all my bonus and was able to walk away with my head up. It took some doing, but I never relented, knew what I could/couldn't do and got what was rightfully mine
For you to insult me, first I must value your opinion

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kitano

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  • 2601
    • Children of the Atom
It sort of regulates itself up to a point. If you're good at your job and stay in China for a few years you will find the good or better schools and know how to avoid the rubbish ones. Likewise if the school is serious and treats teachers well they will be able to keep teachers who are good and not hang onto the ones who suck

I mean in principle I agree with having an organisation to protect the integrity of English teaching in China but they can get round to that after they stop officials taking bribes...


How about a safe list of schools approved by SAFEA so that laowais would know which horrible schools to avoid?

There are 6819 of them and they are listed here:

http://www.anesl.com/schools/info.asp?province=&page=1


Maybe you should read this about this bogus "SAFEA Whitelist":   http://www.realscam.com/f8/angelinas-esl-cafe-beijing-another-dubious-teach-china-scam-3202/

Please stop spending your time posting endless copies of the same crap in different corners of the internet and seek help, or at the very least strong medication.

Wagner- The post (from this topic) you've quoted has nothing to do with your CFTU information that you've linked to. It's simply a link to a list of which schools are allowed to recruit foreign teachers, which is helpful information.

Can't you at least read the posts before CFTUing them?



useful........

Oh lordy lordy. I have worked for two of the schools on Just Like Mr. Benn's post (#16).

I found this thread through an internet search. No, not bing.

Jiminy. I need to search the internet before I accept a position.

Goodness gracious ... sorry to necropost ...

I used to be one of those "high and mighty," forum posters who always argued against breaking contracts and doing midnight runners.  But I honestly think that applies to other countries other than China. 

I really believe it is okay to break a contract in China if you believe you will never come back to this place ever again.  China isn't like other countries.  The recruiters or schools who hire do not tell you the tiny details that will make or break your stay here.  It's all a matter of perspective, something they simply do not have. 

I'm in no way endorsing anyone break their contracts and do midnight runners, but having now experienced China I'm less inclined to judge people who decided to bail ship.

Does that mean that things are going / went bad for you in China.

Like you, I think that its wrong to bail on a school, but sometimes its the best of 2 bad options.

I had to bail on a school (not in China) at one point. I felt terrible, and frankly the bad situation was caused by my not doing the due diligence I would have done if it was a chinese employer. The day I arrived I realised that it was a big mistake, but I was so determined to be someone who kept his word, and to not run out on the school days before the start of semester leaving them with no possibility of getting a replacement teacher, that I decided to stay.

By the time I woke up on my third morning i knew i had to go, and although I felt incredibly guilty, there's not one doubt that I made the right decision. It would have been disasterous to stay.

I'm not ancient, but I'm old enough to know a bad situation when I encounter one, but if I'd been paying proper attention in my skype interview, i could have avoided some of the most stressful days of my life.

The thing is, it was basically my fault, but I came out of it having had an interesting and educational experience.

So I think midnight runs are wrong, but the very nature of throwing yourself into the unknown is that however careful you are, it's possible to eventually make a  mistake.

As I say this wasn't china, and I'm not sure there's a particular problem with China, but the cultural differences can really accentuate misunderstanding.

« Last Edit: September 13, 2016, 02:14:23 AM by Isidnar »

Since we're here and talking... the difference between breaking a contract and quitting is presumably whether or  not you notify the school you're leaving early. But either way you get a breach penalty. I don't know enough, or any, of contract law in general to know if that is weird, but it seems weird. Employment contracts you can't quit from without being penalised? I could see breach penalties in a contract to deliver goods, and I guess also services too, which leaves me wondering why I think teaching is different.
when ur a roamin', do as the settled do o_0

« Last Edit: September 13, 2016, 02:18:28 AM by Isidnar »