> Dear Ellis,

> Your input to the discussion forum has been kindly receive and
> appreciated. I have read all your mail and enjoyed your wit and
> feedback.

> I want to stress to readers of my open letter that it is focused on
> the Chinese student and what can be done to help them improve their
> oral English.

> I think all teachers, no mater what country or culture, make huge
> sacrifices for their students, especially those authentic
> professionals who venture outside their comfort zone and attempt ESL
> teaching in China.

> So to other readers who think they have related comments to the
> subject of education and not so much on pay and conditions of foreign
> teachers in China are encouraged to be actively involved in this
> discussion.

> Therefore I am asking foreign teachers to report first-hand
> experience in teaching the students and assessing their progress. The
> other issues facing foreign teachers like living conditions and pay I
> think should be a topic of discussion in a separate forum.

> I hope you know what I mean Ellis and that I direct no criticism at
> you personally for describing living conditions and dishonesty among
> employers. This issue is very close to your heart. Now we need to put
> our heads together. It is important to tackle one issue at a time and
> not to muddy the real issue - What can professional foreign ESL
> teachers in China collective do to improve the standard of English
> competency in China.

> I hope that if we project a united front and unselfishly put our
> minds and ideas together that the benefit will be an appreciation by
> the Chinese people and to regain their respect for our
> professionalism as foreign ESL teachers willing to walk in their
> shoes. I strive to project an image of not just being a tourist in
> China but a true foreign expert who has a collectivistic attitude
> towards advancing English literacy for the youth of China who one day
> will hopefully have a greater cross-culture appreciation of the world
> and its peoples.

> Wish you all the best Ellis
> Keep in touch with the ESL forum
> Paul

Hi Paul.
Are you trying to "Christianize" China? I really hope is not true - because you are not allow to do that in your own country's schools. If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are.

Shao Lin