Mr River and his gang seem okay to me.

Yes, they are indeed! In fact, very very okay. Harry and Mr R have much integrity in comparison with the Chinese norm in that respect.

Yes, nice to have a TA. True they can spy a bit but as long as you're a confident person- well that's merely just amusing. If you are subservient to a fragile disposition, maybe best not have a ta.

I'd say if a Westerner is mousy and lacking in confidence, he (or she) should avoid China as a country in which to teach English. EFL in China is like a minefield that is very difficult to traverse intact.

Furthermore, re TAs, they can assist you in the classroom, especially when class discipline is required to be exercised by the teacher/TA. Chinese students will accept severe verbal criticism from Chinese staff, but if a foreigner berates them, they won't accept it because they've been made to lose face by an outsider. They will resent that very much, even if it is warranted due to antagonistic behavior from a few moronic students. Of course, a good TA can act as an interpreter in the classroom to speed up what is to be taught during each class, and create a good learning environment to make it easier for students whose English is poor to learn useful knowledge.

Good luck with your upcoming travel arrangements to Yuncheng. By air direct from Beijing to Yuncheng is probably possible. In hindsight, you would have been better to fly to Xi'an from England as Xi'an is relatively near Yuncheng. But maybe there weren't cheap flights available to there.

Thank you.

You're right about the flying directly to xian. I don't know what happened there, she got a good price though.

Absolutely right a TA can tell the class off with impunity, and avoid you getting on bad terms with sometimes the whole class. Whether you know any Chinese or not it's a big mistake to use it in an English class; and a bigger mistake to use Chinese to reprimand students. If you keep a dog (TA) don't bark yourself. You should also allow the TA some say-so/some input regarding lesson plans; it makes them feel like a 'professional' (hate that word) and feel wanted. Having said that occasionally you may need to put your foot down.

ChinaVisaDirect say we will get out passports back on Wednesday. That's for me and Esther only of course...although they did want the wife's passport too- and her ILR card.