Yes, and you're going to need the Chinese anyway. I've noticed that many English teachers here who don't already know much of any Chinese when they start teaching tend not to learn all that much later, either.
I think ricsnap exaggerates a bit about the public bikes for people 1.55 or shorter, tho if you're particularly tall you might not find them comfortable. Probably better to buy one here, although bicycle theft is not uncommon.
JTefl: Suggest you come, look around, find a job first; then you'll have to jump through all the hoops that have been mentioned above annoying, but do-able with a decent local employer, which, I suggest, you identify in person, possibly with some advice from foreign English teachers already here. Bring any & every paper you may have that might be asked for to prove your experience, academic qualifications, etc. Bureaucratic paperwork & short visa run to Hong Kong is not as bad as being hired by the wrong folks & then be stuck working for them for a year or whatever.
Not all that much of a hill.
@Hammer: Your first question: No.
Second question: Indeed a valid consideration.
3rd: very few, but I don't know any who feel the need to own a car, or who even want to buy property.
About sqm prices in the areas you mention: I don't know, will accept the numbers you give, but there are other numbers for other areas and other styles of housing.
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Not quite what you'd call a jumping place, but not bad at all for rather standard US-type meals, not overly expensive, and with a really good salad bar that's cheap, or free with most dinner dishes after 5:30PM. You can get a bottle of beer or even wine if you really want to, but I've never seen anybody do it - maybe that's just to take out. Chinese Christian run, and they hire people with physical disadvantages, who are pleasant and helpful. Frequented by foreign (mostly North American) Christians and Chinese Christians - was started by a Canadian couple associated with Bless China (previously, Project Grace), who are no longer here, but no religious pressure or any of that. Steaks are nothing special, and I avoid the Korean dishes, which I've had a few times but which did not impress me.
As a shop and bakery, it's very good bread at reasonable prices, of various kinds (Y18 for a good multigrain loaf that certainly weighs well over a pound. Other stuff too, like granola and oatmeal that is local, as well as imported things, including American cornflakes and so forth, which some people seem to require.
Large portions, seriously so with the pizza, which is Brooklyn/American style, I guess. Convivial, conversational, good place to drink with good folks on both sides of the bar, especially after about 9PM.
Too bourgeois.
Really good pizza and steaks. The wine machine fuddles me when I'm a bit fuddled, & seems unnecessary. Good folks on both sides of the bar.
Ain't no flies on Salvador's.
China to overhaul high school education in "poverty-stricken" regions
发布者@tiger: For the village in question, I'm referring to the percentage of middle-school grads who go on to senior secondary, at present. In this village, the percentage just a few years ago was even worse. And the percentage of elementary school kids who go to middle school is less than 50% now - worse 10 years ago - in fact, 10 years ago those who completed elementary school was less than 50% too. Yeah, I know, the law says everybody has to study through junior middle, but it was ignored, with no consequences other than for the future of the kids.
China to overhaul high school education in "poverty-stricken" regions
发布者I'm sure that the percentages are considerably lower in poor rural areas of Yunnan. I know of a Miao village where the percentage is considerably less than 20%.
China to overhaul high school education in "poverty-stricken" regions
发布者It's about time! This is SO important for poor areas of Yunnan! As far as I'm concerned, the stipends should make it 100% free for any student to study in senior secondary school, as well as to room and board there.
Married couple's tarmac dustup at Kunming airport delays flight
发布者Thing about staff/security not interfering probably has to do with general Chinese unwillingness to get involved in other's family affairs, where concerns for others among one's family members are rather strong. Flipside perhaps of the lack of concern for members of general public.
Married couple's tarmac dustup at Kunming airport delays flight
发布者Mass Society & Depersonalization Dept.
A thing that annoys me about this event is that such people, in their absorption with their own problems, the apparent complete lack of concern for the rights/convenience of anybody else - as if those who are not directly, personally involved with you simply don't count.