In response to David Bain (Worldwide Education Services)

> China isn't alone in this, look at Thailand. The same excuses and
> reasons are prevalent here as well. Schools are first and foremost
> businesses. Schools cry out for quality teachers, the Ministry of
> Education insist on qualified teachers, but then limit schools to
> paying teachers low salaries, that can't compete with international
> schools that pay far more.

Yes, I have heard the same about Thailand. It makes it most difficult for the students due to the constant turnover.

> Thai teachers get jealous of foriegn teachers' salaries and
> continually snipe and complain, they forget the social safety net the
> local teachers have that foriegn teachers do not have.

The same about jealousy is true where I am as well. Especially if you are successful at getting students to learn rapidly. Many of the Chinese schools where I am have a very rigid teaching method that doesn't allow for independant thought. That makes it difficult for older students to attempt simple interactive conversation exercises in the classroom. Fear of NOT being like the others weighs heavily many times. So if you can turn that around, teachers often feel inferior because they aren't allowed the same leeway in teaching metheods as a "foreigner".

Good luck!