I am not too concerned about the end result, the level of education but what is best for an English teacher from the UK, America, Australia etc. State schools can be the way to go for certain challenged teachers. It is the high standard of the Chinese teachers that make state schools so good education wise and not us lot. i have recommended certain teachers to state universities in China, those who lacked certain qualifications or nationality status to get them into the private sector. I do have some connections so not entirely against state schools, they do have their uses for some of us. I will say that Thailand is better to work in than China, as long as you don't get yourself hitched to a local that is. Stay single is my motto wherever you work.