Fish is right on in saying that China, while in the throes of change, is dynamic and emergent. And, in truth, neither he nor or I would suggest that there aren't a myriad of pitfalls to teaching here or multiple issues that need some serious ammending before it falls into the category of a great place to teach.

I think it interesting that the "lures" used by recruiters and schools to bait teachers are fairly effective though generally untrue, and that the truth would be better served if teachers were just simply told that there is an opportunity to create positive change. I like to think that when I positively affect a student's future, I am contributing to a snowball effect that will, even if in a small way, positively impact the future of this country.

Yeah, China is a work in progress. An unfortunate part of the process of that progress is that we teachers, more than a few of us- and more often than many people realize - are subjected to a host of problems that wouldn't exist in an environment where accountability was the norm. But those of us who choose to "hang in there" do so with our eyes wide open coupled with the hope that things will get better and the realization that it is possible that our efforts are worth it in the long run.

I don't mean to imply that I cannot sympathize with posters such as the one who began this particular thread. In fact, I've stated before that one should avoid private schools - at least until they've thoroughly investigated this whole scene. And it's an unfortunate truth that even the public schools and universities are profit motivated as well. Yet, if we concentrate on the task at hand and carry our good intentions into our classrooms, we can notice the rewards of doing so by looking into the appreciative eyes of our students.

True enough though, many teachers never quite find the right job here no matter how far and wide they travel. I guess I would define the right job as one where there is a minimal amount of interference and a maximum amount, as much as can be expected, of honesty. Admittedly there have been a few times in the last three years, that I've nearly bagged it all myself. But I've finally managed to find a position where my criteria seem to be met; albeit, not always to the degree that I would like.

So, good luck to those of you who will leave and those of you who will come.

Merry Christmas.