Dear Ron,

I am assuming (although its dangerous to do so) that you are a non native speaking English teacher. Would I be correct in this assumption? If I am correct, I feel the need to dismantle your claims and erect a defense (I need to look out for my dawgs).

First of all, you havent been leaving in China for 10 years; you have been living in China. That one was too easy, but misspelling eventually and other such mistakes are usually caught by a native speaker of the language. The chances are higher, considering they have dealt with these words on a much higher frequency. I didnt scan your passage for mistakes; they just jumped out at me.

I am a very meticulous person by nature, which supports the ability argument made by Choatle. I believe ability wins out, then the frequency in which you were exposed to the language, and finally self motivation to seal the deal. Dont get it twisted! Skin colour or passports dont mean a thing if you aint got that swing (another example, these phrases will more likely be familiar to a native English speaking person).

Thanks,