> Thanks Ellis.

> I hope you all realize that my comments in replying to the original
> post were not meant to say that life is horrible here in China. What
> I was thinking of is how different it is here.

> I'm sure all teachers here will agree...In the classroom it is hard
> sometimes to adjust discussions so that these students, who are not
> from a free country, can still find a way to form original ideas
> & express them. I was frustrated in the beginning(as all of us
> are at times), but then I had to accept that students in China are
> taught differently then us. They are meant to follow the one, right
> answer to things, not vary too much in ideas.

> AND...I am not saying its wrong. From what I see it is exactly right
> for China. It is history, it can't be ignored or changed. I respect
> it & see the positive results the Chinese education system has
> produced.

> AGAIN. let me say, I AM happy here. I do love being with the people
> in my classes. I have met some amazing people here. I will continue
> to enjoy learning about a different way of life, as do the students.

> TO ELLIS..."Christ on a bicycle"...thats one hilarious
> line. LMAO. Thanks for bringing laughter into this discussion.

> I look forward to reading your future comments.

=================================================================

Hey, "CANADIAN TEACHER" .... this is "MARTIAN TEACHER" (according to my FIRST wife, that is)! NO, NO ... it's ELLIS. Thanks for your interesting post, Brother!

Granted, all nationalities on this God's green earth have their faults aplenty. There are, of course, some places which offer more favorable living conditions than others, albeit this proposition has its fair share of ifs, ands, and buts, e.g., what the citizenry of a particular society are accustomed to enjoying as a living standard; how hard they have to work to achieve their personal goals; and most important of all, whether one is afforded freedom of creativity in both the areas of ideology and performance. Now, each country has its rightful share of loyalty due, but when one land decides to compete with another, it is essential that they BOTH operate on the same wave length. Socialism vs. Communism seems feasible, whereas when Communism attempts to vie with Capitalism, that is, indeed, a horse of a different color (like my FIRST wife ... especially the HORSE part!). This all brings us to the China vs. USA Story.

Prior to having accepted a position in the PRC for RMB 6,000/month (c $750/mo.), I was earning $3118/MO. (RMB 26,800/mo.) as a full-time TOEFL/TOEIC instructor. I guess it would be safe to assume that I didn't travel all that distance for the money! Prior to having left the USA, I was already cognizant of the living conditions and cultural differences due to an earlier (2-month) visit I had paid Beijing. What I was NOT aware of, however, was the necessity of CAREFULLY checking into each offer from China ... particularly both the school and its management. Mae culpa! Mea culpa! Let's merely state that, like so many others, I was an *ss*ole (you should hear my FIRST wife on THAT issue!!!), and voluntarily turned my gargantuan 'gluteus maximus' in just the right direction for a monumental professional cramming ceremony! Let's forget for a moment that each culture has its fair share of con artists, and, at my age, I should have known better. But on that score, we can at least draw a similarity between the USA and China. Likewise, it's somewhat difficult to ignore the US's rather close commercial relationship with the PRC. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, folks ... today it seems there isn't one consumer item that doesn't bear a "Made in China" label! It would appear that we're in bed together -- at least from an economic point of view. AHA! Another similarity! And, now, we have the national 'let's ALL learn English' program, soliciting the timely assistance of soooooo many English instructors -- especially those sporting a Yankee accent!!! Criminy! It would appear as if there's actually not too much of a difference between us. But, this is actually where the similarity ends and the friction takes over -- not only between the Chinese and American instructors, but also between the Yanks, Canadians, and Brits, despite the fact we all have the same bloody objective: TO TEACH ENGLISH. Gadzooks and little fishes, folks, from the looks of some of the board exchanges, one would think
that World War III is in progress! Mind you, I can understand a personal conflict between two dudes, but questions of (1) which nationality better qualifies an English-speaking instructor (2) who is better loved by the Chinese students (3) who is the least money-grubbing of all the ESL teachers and (4) who has the greater "freedom" in his/her land. Barring the incompetents who, unfortunately, DO manage to sneak in under the rug, it would be safe to assume that everyone else has an acceptable degree of know-how to offer. Yes, there ARE whiners present, but does this nefarious tendency really detract from their effectiveness in the classroom? If not, then they should be tolerated, especially in view of China's dire need for ESL instructors. Incidentally, right here in the USA, I teach at a school where at least HALF the student body is Chinese or Taiwanese. They don't seem to dislike America or their instructors. In fact, according to a recent survey I conducted, at least 70% of them said they wanted to remain here permanently! In conclusion, if you like your life in China, it's a good thing you're there. If you like teaching in China, but disapprove of the overall conditions, TRY to discover ways to improve the status quo and regularly suggest same to the management. And, if you're there 'just for the fun of it,' realize that you one day stand a good chance of being discovered and ... well, let me state it the form of a magnificent adage from the belated TV show, "Maude," to wit, "God is gonna getcha for THAT!"

Loosen up, everybody. Competitiveness really shouldn't play any kind of rle, especially when we're all in it for basically the same aesthetic rewards. More importantly, TOLERANCE is a great lesson which is better taught through example rather than B.S. Am I right, or am I right?

Peace,
Ellis