Forbidden Voices

Alex Barteau is teaching in a small urban college in Atlanta, Gerogia, when the situation, despite his having tenture, starts looking bleak. Accreditation for the school and its financial viability appear to be endangered. When Alex discusses this with a Chinese colleague, the latter suggests that he apply to teach at a university in China.  After some hesitation, he applies to a particular university in northeast China and is accepted.

This is a definitive change-of-life situation for him as this requires adapting to an entire different system of education, including standards that Alex finds questionable. Some students find him to be too strict, but most parents appreciate his high standards. 

Eventually, he meets a lovely Chinese teacher from south China and they drift into an affair.

He also meets teaching colleagues from Austrailia, Canada, England, and Ireland -- several of whom remain his friends for years.

His main problems stem from student ccomplaints and requests/demands from administrators that he change grades, inflating them to make the school and the students look better.