Lots of stuff going on in this thread and I can't help but notice some cynics, it's all good though.
In regards to the dead end thing, teaching is what you make of it. I'm writing an e-book at the moment geared to my students and I'll be releasing it to the country I'm in. If you're from the US and keep your nose clean you can move from ESL to working in the Foriegn Service. The key is to avoid the negativity and don't hang out with ex-pats. Take pride in what you do.
In regards to the dead end thing, teaching is what you make of it. I'm writing an e-book at the moment geared to my students and I'll be releasing it to the country I'm in. If you're from the US and keep your nose clean you can move from ESL to working in the Foriegn Service. The key is to avoid the negativity and don't hang out with ex-pats. Take pride in what you do.