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> If Chinese schools want GOOD teachers, then pay GOOD wages. There
> DOESN'T seem to be a problem with those same schools making 'GOOD'
> profits from English teaching, so part with some of those profits if
> you want quality teaching.

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HEY, CHINASYNDROME MAN -- THAT's a-tellin' it like it is, Bro'! B-R-A-V-O!
Unsubstantial wages generally invite shoddy performance -- which is the reason WHY so many losers manage to slip right into ESL gigs throughout the PRC. Consequently, when the QUALIFIED, SERIOUS, AND DEDICATED INSTRUCTOR comes along, he/she has to suffer for the inequities and bad reputation created by the fakers in the form of !#itt% wages! And, is it "nogotiable?" NO WAY, JOS! OF COURSE, there are exceptions, but no one I ever knew made 'decent' wages in China ... even a PhD who was made
"teacher coordinator" at a college for a 'whopping' RMB 8,000 per month! WHEW! A measly $231 per week in Beijing with a wife and two kids! Food and
clothing shopping was expensive, the children had their stringent needs, and they were lucky to be able to occasionally afford to relax at a Starbucks with a tall "venti-drip," while kids were down the street munching on their "Whoppers 'n fries!" C'mon, let's face it: Americans (including myself) are spoiled, and their standard of living is an 'ide fixe' which follows them EVERYWHERE they travel. Now, when a country such as the PRC extends a welcome to us to act as their 'foreign specialists,' we should still be considered as their GUESTS, even if we ARE being compensated for that expertise. Whenever I've entertained a guest, I've always seen to his/her comfort. That's just a matter of simple courtesy. But we run into a serious conflict of interest when the level of that compensation places us in a bind, both practically and psychologically. I realize that, to the average citizen of the PRC, an income of even
RMB 4,000 would seem like a lifetime achievement, but as Chinasyndrome has so well pointed out, this is all RELATIVE, while no matter HOW dedicated an American instructor may be to the cause of international education, it is far too much to ask him/her to "act" comfortable in the face of a most uncomfortable financial arrangement. I realize a lot of my fellow-Yanks will speak up in defense of China's national English language learning program -- and it IS quite commendable, indeed -- but, so long as we're willing to contribute our skill to same, there is no reason in hell why OUR needs have to be overlooked ... especially when China is the host and we are the guests. There! I've said it, and I'm sorry if I've offended anyone.

Love,
Ellis