Hi Michelle. I agree with many points you made. Yours was a good post. All of of us who come to Asia , or anywhere to teach should be responsible and give of ourselves.

What we shouldn't forget though is that giving is a two-way practice. Unfortunately foriegn teachers are not always given the same respect by students and parents alike as is given to locals

Also many school employers run slipshod over the promised contractural rights etc, of many FTs. These conditions can be very harrowing and can make it very hard for an FT to find it in his or her heart to be repectful in return. Some schools would try the patience of a saint!

Often the problem is six of one and half a dozen of another. In the end it's a matter of natural human weaknneses mixed up with cultural/ language misunderstandings. If I was honest I have to admit that although I always give a hundred percent in class my general behavior with my employers has sometimes left a lot to be desired, yet this is almost always in reaction to the bad practices of my employers.

Regarding the matter of bad schools/ bad teachers that old adage comes to mind; What came first the chicken or the egg?

Everybody, Students, teachers, parents, and employers ALL have a responsibility to overcome their problems and meet each other halfway so that the standard of ESL can be raised, and better relations can exist between everyone.