The road goes on for teacher Levine

Mark Levine is often described in the media as a folk singer or writer, but the bushy-bearded Californian actually makes his living through teaching and describes himself as a teacher in all the roles he fulfills.

"No matter what I am doing, I am teaching. If I am singing, I am teaching. If I am writing, I am teaching. Anything I am doing, I am teaching," the 66-year-old said, adding that he gains joy through teaching.

Levine has been an English instructor at Minzu University of China since 2008. Although China has thousands of foreign English teachers, Levine stands out from the rest. He received China's Friendship Award, the nation's highest honor for a foreigner, on Sept 30 and dined with China's top leaders at the Great Hall. The award is given to 100 foreign experts each year.