Job Discussion Forums

[Tefl Novice]

I'm half way through my TEFL adventure and, as the title hints, I've run into some choppy waters.

Everything was going fine up until the New Year's holiday; now there are numerous problems that are converging to ruin the entire experience.

The first issue: there's a new principal who has decided to "reform" the way foreign teachers are used. This basically means more work -- lesson plans typed up to be put online, more scrutiny of teaching and bi-weekly meetings(conducted in Chinese, rather ironically).

The extra workload, while obviously a pain, isn't the issue. It's the fact that my poor co-teacher has to partake in these reforms, meaning our relationship is becoming strained as a result.

The second issue concerns a new foreign teacher. She's basically a fat cow -- one of those spoiled rich kid types who are far too omnipresent in China for my liking. I got on well with the last teacher, we would often meet and go out boozing ect.

If things continue in this fashion I can't see myself seeing this contract out. Has anyone else encountered similar issues? If so, I would like to know how you reminded the situation.

Thanks.

[Miles Smiles]

"...The extra workload, while obviously a pain, isn't the issue. It's the fact that my poor co-teacher has to partake in these reforms, meaning our relationship is becoming strained as a result..."

Do you mean that your "poor" co-teacher resents having to do the work because he is a bad teacher and doesn't want to do the work? Does he expect you to do the work for him?

If so, I've been in a similar situation. If he wants a copy of your work just tell him that you already turned it in.

Regarding teachers' meetings that lapse into Chinese-only conversation, tell your FT liaison/dean of the foreign languages department that if the meetings lapse into Chinese, you'll leave the meeting. I did that a couple of times and I was never asked to return.

Don't leave because of a screwball FT. If you're on top of your game, the administration will PROBABLY figure out that the other two are prima donnas/losers/slackers and will get rid of them. Just be sure to keep your foreign languages department informed. I'm not saying for you to snitch on them. Just make yourself available to them to ask questions if any should arise. The FAO shouldn't be involved in your classes, but some of the younger ones whom I have met seem hell-bent on knowing everything. In the event that your colleagues are whining to the FAO, drop by on a weekly basis under the pretense of asking if anyone needs anything in town.

I'm unsure what is going on in your school, but I worked with two canker sore FTs who, for some reason, blamed me for their inability to complete their required paperwork and other things. The turkeys wouldn't even talk to me, but they had complaints about me. I often saw them walking out of the FAO's office and the Dean's office. I was never summoned. I decided to make a visit to the dean and the FAO every time I saw either of them leaving the office. Apparently, I was making them look bad because i was doing the work but they weren't and they were doing a snow job on me. I was reportedly moody. I wouldn't talk to them. I was argumentative. I was difficult to get along with. I was drunk all of the time.

That was THEM, not me.

Right. I explained that I hadn't seen either of these turkeys in three weeks. They wouldn't answer their phone, and they wouldn't respond to invitations for dinner that I left on their doors. I also explained that they sent me emails demanding copies of my class/course notes. I told them that I didn't keep notes or lesson plans.

If your colleagues sound like this, the only way to win is to beat them at their own game. Talk to the Powerz That Bee. Chit chat with your FAO and FT liaison and let them ask you about what's going on.

You can't prevail on talent alone. You have to play politics too.

[Zimmer]

How is your relationship with your co-teacher becoming strained? It sounds like the extra work is on you, not your co-teacher.

Regarding not liking somebody you work with or need to see everyday.Yes, I've encountered a similar situation plenty of times. The first time was probably in primary school and it's been a regular thing since then. It's called life.I wouldn't quit a job because of it.

[dean_a_jones]

Agree that you should make it pretty clear your time is better spent planning lessons or whatnot that sitting in pointless meetings conducted in Chinese. Otherwise, just bring work or a book and do that instead. In terms of raised demands, what really counts is your contract. If they are asking for more hours/time or whatever than what is stipulated, be careful. Many places here operate on the "inch/mile" system.

As for your co-teacher, I would try not to dump too much on them if you can avoid it, as that might keep the relationship better. Keep them aware of your plans, ideas etc. with good timing, so that if they are having to do work to supplement it it is not a last minute rush. Otherwise I am not really clear what else would be causing the strain, other than perhaps general stress on their part.

Regarding your colleagues, while it can be annoying when a friend goes and is replaced by someone you don't like, I would just act professional and, if the person is not your type, find others to drink with or whatever.

It is about now that universities start looking for new teachers for the next year (not sure what kind of place you are teaching at). Rather than jumping ship and causing yourself the trouble that will bring, I would see out the second semester, keep you head down and start looking for greener pastures for the future. Even if you are thinking of going home rather than teaching further, I would still stick it out unless they are clearly violating your contract and making unreasonable demands.

[Tefl Novice]

[roadwalker]

The young, inexperienced Chinese teachers get plenty of "other duties as assigned" and there's nothing you can do about it. More over, they expect it. She probably has non-teaching duties that don't involve you as well. Think of it as putting pressure on you to make clear, succinct lesson plans that others need to read. That way you'll have clear plans in good order for future lessons.

As for colleagues, it's nice when you have a good group, for socializing, sharing ideas, etc. I've found that less likely in EFL than in previous careers. So appreciate the good ones and learn to deal with/ignore the less than good. If you have patience, you'll probably find some good in the initially off-putting ones.

[danasoverseasemail]

[xiguagua]

I can't fathom why you're considering quitting because of these insignificant problems. So the co-teacher has to translate your lessons, it's part of their job. Why should that strain your relationship when it's not your fault? Anyway it's a ridiculous reason to think about quitting.

As far as your fellow FT goes, just because they're a foreigner it doesn't mean you have to be friends with them. This is something that Chinese people are completely incapable of understanding. "But if I meet another Chinese if I was in (insert foreign country), I would be so happy and make friends with them." uhh no. Who cares if the other FT is a moron? Don't deal with her then. Simple as that. Be polite and courteous when around her, but you don't have to make any effort to be friends.

These reasons are not even CLOSE to be good enough to consider quitting. Sounds to me like you're a bit spoiled yourself. Get thick skin, don't spend your time caring/worrying about problems such as these. As much as China likes to say it, it's not really a "harmonious society."

[Tefl Novice]

[LanGuTou]

You display a complete lack of understanding with regards to living and working in China. The things that you complain about appear mundane when compared to other problems encountered by ex pats over here.

You either develop a thicker skin or just give up and go home because things don't get much better than what you have described. If I were you, I would just bite my lip and see out the rest of the contract. If you do quit now, you may give rise to problems that you later regret i.e. how to find another job without contract completion letters.

[Opiate]

Nah. It sounds like you lost a drinking buddy and he was replaced by a fat woman and you are sore about it.

Don't like the book? Don't use it.
Don't like a teacher? Don't interact with her unless necessary.
Don't like doing lesson plans? Really? They take 5-10 minutes for Oral English classes.
Don't like meetings in Chinese? Don't go if you can't understand Chinese.

You did finally mention something important, you said they broke the contract. Exactly what was missing from the apartment? Are we talking about a can opener or heat?

Also, I doubt you have any leverage at all. You do not plan to return and the school will not likely try to persuade you.

[kimo50]

These do not sound like issues weighty enough to warrant quitting. "IMHO". Dealing with the other teachers seems like a social issue. If they choose not to meet the requirements steer a wide course around them.
However here is what I would do to deal with the meeting issue:
Write a note to your manager and inform him/her that the meetings which morph into Chinese are entirely unproductive, a waste of your valuable time, and rude. Furthermore,going forward if a meeting turns into Chinese you will politely excuse yourself after 5 minutes. Additionally, you would like an agenda, ostensibly to prepare, at least 24 hours in advance of any meeting to include the language in which the meeting will be conducted.
Before becoming a Captain I was an aide to an Admiral in the Coast Guard and picked up some interesting tips from him: (1) He would refuse to attend any meeting for which a written agenda had not been received at least 36 hours in advance. Why? Poorly planned meetings are a waste of time. (2) Once a meeting hit the one hour mark he would get up and leave. Why? Any meeting longer than an hour is a waste of time. At first I thought this was a bit pompous. But think about it..... Yes an Admiral can do this kind kind of stuff and get away with it...but it makes sense and it's true -poorly planned and lengthy meetings are often a waste of your time. I have done this at my school and guess what? It gets attention and it works. Morph it a bit for your situation. Good luck.

[johntpartee]

I can understand your disappointment about your situation, OP, but compared to some of the horror stories that others have shared...

[dean_a_jones]

[Non Sequitur]

Yeah welcome to ESL China-style.
But, slightly off topic aren't these overweight Western gals the pits.
The ones I've encountered spend a lot of time grooming and parading in the expectation that the Chinese guys are gonna go overboard about them.
If you could see the stunning Chinese girls at my female-intensive vocational college you'd know how misguided Little Miss Butterball is.
Re book - yeah tedious but before you ditch it realise someone's face maybe involved. Just move away from it and substitute some dialogues of your own devising if that's what you're after.
Delay posting your lesson stuff as long as possible and mark them clearly 'To be completed by end of Week nn'.
With the translation delay that will mean the others are compromised if they are plagiarising.
I assume the English format isn't posted online until after the translation.