Hello, Cha Yin Zhe,

Well, I certainly did stir up a hornet's nest, didn't I?

As a matter of fact, I do agree with many of your points. Unqualified persons should not command higher wages than those who have "paid their dues" and had the education, training and experience. That is not fair. But please reread my comments. I think you may have misunderstood my remarks.

I am fully in favour of local or native teachers getting a more suitable, equitable salary and work conditions. They deserve it. But until enough of the host country's teachers complain and agitate, I don't believe that Equity will occur. And I have been seeing far too many positions being advertised where it has been clearly stated that "no qualification [is] necessary" (just so long as you are a Native English speaker). Again, that is not fair to the Host country's teachers, nor to those of us who do hold said qualifications.

Sadly, I have also been noticing several postings that ask how someone can come in for a visit, and stay to teach? That is not a question which (almost any) other countries would tolerate being answered in an affirmative fashion. Whilst I am sure that the posters of such queries mean well, I do wonder about their abilities??

China is an "emerging" nation. She is working very hard to catch up to (and surpass) the other (big) players in the International arena, and to take her rightful place in the world's economy. However, in her haste to do so, she has sometimes seemed to let her goals guide her actions....or some individuals have, at any rate. Not the happiest of situations. Or at least, that's the way I see things.

Which brings me back to my original statement. I am not (yet) working in China, but I do believe that I should be able to ask for wages (and "perks") commensurate with my qualifications and skills, especially since there is no standardised salary (Yet?!) And so should my Host country colleagues. I do not expect to "rake in the dough", but I would like to have a bit left over at the end of the month! (Oh, by the way, I don't drink. Most of my "extravagances" are purchases for the benefit of my students....as is the case with most of the other teachers that I know).