Basing any argument on sweeping generalities is fruitless. Wouldn't it be more useful to say that some Directors of Studies are doing less work than teachers? And, by the way, how many Directors have you encountered in China? Enough to make a determination as to their usefulness or whether or not by not being "at the blackboard" they are doing less work than teachers?

Moreover, you've got to admit that working 18 - 20 hours a week for a salary you can live comfortably on is pretty much a cake walk. So far, after nearly six years in China, I've yet to hear an FT complain of being overworked. Lots of other complaints, yes. But being overworked, no.