Well, it's true enough that there is a boat load of discrimination in terms of the hiring of English teachers in China. Of course there are exceptions, but I think we can all agree that there is a general desire to hire young, white native speakers. In many cases they are hired instead of someone who has better qualifications and more experience, be that person white and middle aged or older, a non-native speaker, or of a color or race that doesn't quite fit the profile of what the administrators of the school perceive will bring them the most bucks.

However, I think it's interesting to note that there is a change coming. I see it in small ways. Not in terms of hiring non-native speakers, which is not something that's going to change any time soon - unfortunately. No, the change I see coming is that of simply hiring unqualified teachers no matter what their race or color or age. Students are of course lied to about these teachers. They're told about these wonderful foreign teachers and all of their glowing qualifications, which is basically a crock. But fortunately students are getting smarter or more aware and will soon be demanding more for their buck. Of course this situation will change more slowly in the private sector, but I believe that in the public sector, especially in universities, we'll start noticing the change pretty soon. As I said, I see it in small ways already. I've been here more than four years now and I see a growing frustration that will hopefully change things.

Part of the problem is the loop holes that Raoul Duke and others have pointed out. There are laws in place, but the laws are often open to interpretation. Basically, it could be said that the law states that teachers "should" have a degree, but if the hiring body perceives the teacher to be qualified without it then they can go ahead and hire said teacher. I believe, or I hope anyway, that the loopholes will be closed. Students aren't the only ones with a growing frustration - qualified and well experienced teachers are sharing that frustration. If I told you what's happening at my university, you'd be shocked - a couple of dozen teachers and only a few qualified enough to be there. The grumbling has begun but, interestingly, the administration scarcely notices it - not yet anyway.