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ChinaLady

is this really the norm for the entire country?
was told this week that my class grades are to be based 70% on the final exam and 30% on the mid term exam. no points for class participation (I teach speaking/oral/conversation classes.) and no points taken away for lack of attendance.
why do I feel that I am the last person on the block to know about this?
because I have had a number of "mystery" students who all showed for their final exams. I haven't seen them since the mid-term.
which made the class really great because they were all falling on the "attitude" marks - English sucks! was their theme song.
but - now I have to pass this little (thinking really nasty words, Dave) and the other students are not pleased.
I was informed by my "teaching affairs" people that this is now the China way of grading for the whole country.
so, why come to class? come for the two exams - right?
okay - I had classes like this in university BUT it was the profs decision NOT the country's or the schools. usually it was a class that the prof had been TOLD to teach and it was their way of telling the dean to "fly off."
feed back from you people out there - please?

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

my school just told me today about how I am supposed to grade my classes after I had been using my own system for 3 months..... Rolling Eyes

I said no way..... as simple as that!

I teach 3 writing classes and 1 history class where the students have been tested all through the semester.... I am not about to change the way I do things last minutes and cancel their previous assignements/tests in favor of one massive test.

After a heated conversation with my dean, he agreed to let me proceed with my system

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Actually, I am puzzled as to why so few TEFLers comment on exams and the grading in China since it blatantly is a farce.

Why on Earth DO we give OUR OWN students an exam? Why don't other teachers have to do that, while we hold the exams with students from our colleagues?

This is to me proof positive that the efforts of our learners don't really matter, and our own efforts are in the wrong direction.

Also, why don't we ever get any guidelines from on high? Why are there no national norms to be fulfilled?
It's all a relational thing - I and my students, and if they fail it's MY fault...

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

ChinaLady · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 11:21 pm Post subject: Grades or no grades?

in reality I would prefer that my classes be Pass/No Pass (anyone old enough to remember that? for non-major classes in the states we could take a P/NP to fulfill graduation requirements.).
but, I digress. . .
I realize that ALL students will graduate - from the moment they are admitted to any school/institute/college/university in China. the students also know this. it cheapens the certificate/diploma they receive at the end of their 4 years.
BUT IF they want to study overseas - aha - the grades do matter AND the letters of recomendations written in English. most Chinese professors will write a blank letter, the student makes copies and sends them off. (note: I refuse to write an English letter for a Chinese professor UNLESS the person can tell me IN ENGLISH what they want to say.)
yes, yes, yes - I realize that what I am doing doesn't count for dog poop in the large scheme of things - BUT - once in a while a bright, interested student comes along and the dream comes back that I do matter, and what I am teaching does matter.
smile - this is China.