In response to Re Faking relevance (amused)

Not only FTs and the eslteachersboard but also the locals and their education, talent, skills or opinions are irrelevant. Young generations in the country are brought up on false pretences, given knowledge they don't need in practice and they are put into the workforce based on their loyalties to superiors rather than anything else. The scores of low quality products and copying are for reasons.

Nijao's meaning is anyone's guess, but the recognition that Westerners look for relevance in the nature of their individual work while Chinese find innate adequate satisfaction in being part of the working group and this cultural distinction acting to cause FT distress in China is an important observation.

The reasons why Chinese want to stick to groups are way beyond what you are saying. Attempting to stand out of the group or offering contrasting views is often frowned upon, so the "adequate satisfaction" comes from the assurances that folks may keep their jobs and faces. Chinese usually don't share ideas as they follow their leaders whom they aren't supposed to oppose. The "distress" you are suggesting is natural given the poor working environment, ethics and business culture.

Even the worst FTs usually feel some pride in the nature of his/her work in the classroom. But the classroom experience is never adequate to satisfy his thirst for 'relevance'; he hungers for some institutional and student acknowledgement of his importance in a country where individual accomplishment is subsumed by the group. This unrequited hunger often results in the anger at China that litters this forum.

However I don't know how many "worst FTs" China has, I see that some teachers want to make a difference in the young people's lives. As they try and try they frequently are compromised by the local approach to how things are done. This brings me to the local teachers who have to follow their rigid standards or else. They often are tied to their employers beyond our understanding. Anyhow, what "litters this forum" is trolling, ignorance and disrespect which eslteachersboard is so full of.

In reality, the FT in China is neither relevant nor important. The classroom space/time moment with its ethereal opportunity either empowers a teacher or not.

In conclusion you may want to question the importance of most people in China. Whether FTs are just "oral teachers" or not ought to be looked at as well.