May I make a recommendation?

Im by no means a perfect teacher or person. Ive made my fair share of goofs on forums. However, after being in China for eleven years, I do realize that there are many good teachers from several different countries.

Its been exciting for me to work along side of many Canadians, Brits, Australians and some Philippinos. All of us are here for the same reasons, to teach English, but we arrived with different motivations for coming. In the end, I believe we all have the same good intentions to help China with their English programs.

Each of us needs to remember we all arrive for the same purpose. We all have different situations concerning finances. We all have different schools that might be better or worst than the other who is reading our post. The same reasons for being here but difference circumstances are involved in the reason why we post a topic that usually reflect on the individuals location and school. Therefore, before you bash someone, make sure you didnt read into his/her comments. Try to find out what his/her situation is at their location in China. You might be surprised at how different it might be from yours and you might even agree with them.

Therefore, I would like all to consider one thought. When you write a complaint about a particular topic concerning China, make sure you are not writing during a moment of frustration. Ive done this before, and my original thought was not received as I had intended. If not, you will probably sound like you are unloading a truck full of crap in someones back yard. In turn some reader will take offense to the comments and say such as go home, why did you come, grow up, etc. In the end, the forum is filled with bashing and trashing each others purposes, countries, education or even character. Supposedly, we are from the developed nations, but from some forums, a Chinese might wonder who is civilized and who isnt?

Of course, Im sure someone will find fault with the above comments and say who made you a mediator. Well, no one, its just open friendly advice. We will probably never agree on everything concerning our countries history, politics, or other matters that make us American, Canadian, British, or Australian. However, we can agree that we are teachers with the same purpose. If we keep that in the forefront of our minds, I believe we can work in concert together and not each playing on a different sheet of music. Realize and understand that motivations differ greatly from each of our countries and when you realize that, a lot of bashing will should cease.

Living in another country that is developing will definitely test your fortitude in many areas and the biggest one is patience and kindness when difficulties arise. When your fortitude is tested by your environment, make sure culture shock isnt knocking at your door. If it is, you will want to blame others and those closest to you. You will become thin skinned and the rest of the time will be spent bashing and trashing, which can be a means of venting frustration and fighting back at culture shock.

Have fun at your schools. If you havent already read the The Dragonfly Incident its a jewel. We need more forum topics like that. Its refreshing, eye opening and details the life of a teacher in a rural area. I notice he didnt complaint about anything, and was written very professionally about a situation that could have gone different if others might have been there.

His comments Now, I can tell the story and make it sound immensely amusing - or potentially tragic - you decide which.

Its a masterpiece! Thanks for the post Dave! Send more!!