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vikeologist
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
Posts: 600
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 Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:47 am Post subject: |
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Come on guys, you can't quantify someone's situation by attributing some kind of points scale for problems, and then say, 'Suck it up, you don't qualify to be unhappy'. How about a bit of compassion.
OP - It's hard from what you've said to know how you can improve the actual problems you've described, but the answer may be to improve other things in your situation.
Possibly how you feel is part of wider culture shock. Perhaps last term was your honeymoon period. Now you're in the second phase. The good news is that you will almost certainly move on to a third stage where you are quite content with life here; possibly followed by a fourth (possibly undesirable) stage where you positively love it here, and basically become Chinese.
Whether or not you think this is cuture shock, why not look up some tips for dealing with it on the net. They won't all suit, but take up a new hobby, keep a diary, go downtown in the middkle of the day and just watch people.
In short, I do think that quitting your job would be wrong, but I also think it may be unnecessary. Things will get better by themselves, but there are things you can do to help it along. As you've discovered, posting in this forum isn't necesarily one of them. |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010
Posts: 3258
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| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:08 am Post subject: |
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| You're quite the diplomat, vikeologist, and you're also quite right. The OP is saying that HE is very unhappy with HIS situation. But the other side of the coin is that he did post on here for a purpose, that is, input from others, which he's getting (in spades). |
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MisterButtkins
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Posts: 1221
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| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:19 am Post subject: |
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| Non Sequitur wrote: |
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. |
Yes, as much as I hate to admit it part of me likes seeing unattractive, overconfident American girls get humbled by not getting laid for the entire duration of their contract. |
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choudoufu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 3325
Location: Mao-berry, PRC
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| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:26 am Post subject: |
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| Tefl Novice wrote: |
She has to translate my lesson plans into Chinese so it's unavoidable I'm afraid.  |
which should take all of 10 minutes. otherwise your lesson plans may
be too long, too complicated, too detailed. if your co-teacher is having
difficulty, how 'bout your students? |
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Lobster
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Posts: 2040
Location: Somewhere under the Sea
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| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:33 am Post subject: |
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You could base your lesson plans on a simple template with 3 types of activities per lesson. You are using a textbook, so just refer to page numbers in the text. This will make the CT's job a breeze.
Many FTs are stuck with texts they don't like. Expand on it and deviate, but you have to keep using it. The How of using it is up to you.
As with any undesirable co-worker, you are professionally polite at work and unavailable at other times.
Your problems do seem relatively minor and easy to deal with. Perhaps the problems are an extension of your personal feelings. Certainly most would not see them as a sign that things are going downhill fast.
RED |
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Tefl Novice
Joined: 23 Sep 2011
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:59 am Post subject: |
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| Opiate wrote: |
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. |
I have been instructed that I must teach the book with no exceptions.
This is really problematic -- and not just because the content stinks.
Basically, there are 4 months remaining in the current school term, but there's only 20 pages or so to cover in the book -- including a revision chapter.
Filling 40 min classes based on one page of the book's material is hellish. Plus, because the class sizes are quite large -- 45-50 students -- it means many games and activities don't work very well.
Another kick in the balls is the other FT -- the 'fat cow' -- gets a free pass to teach whatever she likes.
Regarding the school's breach of contract: there is insufficient cooking apparatuses in my apartment; no hotplate, pots and/or pans, cutlery etc.; and the TV doesn't work.
I've been pragmatic up until this latest nonsense, which has eroded my desire not to burden anyone.
I don't think the charges of me being a spoiled brat are fair. While people are quick to dismiss my problems as trivial, I'll wager they aren't currently wading through all this shit right now. |
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choudoufu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 3325
Location: Mao-berry, PRC
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| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:08 am Post subject: |
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| Tefl Novice wrote: |
| Basically, there are 4 months remaining in the current school term, but there's only 20 pages or so to cover in the book -- including a revision chapter. |
lucky you! you can cover a page or two each week during the first
five minutes of class. how? you can assign it as homework, and
just do a very quick review at the beginning of the class. you've
covered their desired content. hooray! now you can spend the
rest of the class teaching something worthwhile.
you're welcome. |
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kimo50
Joined: 24 Aug 2011
Posts: 119
Location: Guam
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| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:12 am Post subject: Complaints |
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| Then put your grievances in writing and demand the issues be resolved within 5 business days. Telling them to us won't help get them addressed. |
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Tefl Novice
Joined: 23 Sep 2011
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:25 am Post subject: |
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| choudoufu wrote: |
| Tefl Novice wrote: |
| Basically, there are 4 months remaining in the current school term, but there's only 20 pages or so to cover in the book -- including a revision chapter. |
lucky you! you can cover a page or two each week during the first
five minutes of class. how? you can assign it as homework, and
just do a very quick review at the beginning of the class. you've
covered their desired content. hooray! now you can spend the
rest of the class teaching something worthwhile.
you're welcome. |
I wish such a simple solution was at my disposal.
I forgot to mention that, as part of the reforms, the head of the English department observes a lesson every week.
Plus, apparently the students will be examined on the contents of the book in the summer, so my co-teachers would probably knife me in the back if I ditched it.
I'm snookered I'm afraid.  |
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