Job Discussion Forums

[struelle]

The heads of regulars may nod when they see these 'hidden' and 'extras' together. Hidden extras are pretty much a way of life in China - not just on the job but in many other aspects too. This is something to adjust to, as Westerners are used to compartmentalizing life. For example, we like to say, "I do my time at work, then I do my own things."

Of course we need to adjust to cultural differences, and be prepared to do more 'off-the-job' teaching / socializing / tutoring / practicing English with students and faculty than just in class. As well, we need to plan lessons and grade papers. This only makes sense, and I'd estimate a 1:1 ratio of teaching to other things - hence 20 hours a week is really full time.

But I've got a problem with hidden extra work that is:
(a) virtually bottomless and given with little notice
(b) disguised as a fun activity
(c) both

With (a) it's not the extra work itself that's difficult, but the fact that you don't know when it's coming and/or it doesn't sound like work! But in reality, it is work, and it's unpaid work. In some indirect way, this feels like being cheated.

With (b), the classic example is (usualy weekend) excursions to nearby cities with students or faculty. These appear in many contracts, and at first glance sound like a fun way to relax after teaching. The teacher may think, "Great, I've always wanted to visit ____, that'll be fun.". But reality shows otherwise, that these trips are far more tiring and demanding than teaching itself. Ironically, class teaching is more fun and pays money, while you may even end up paying for the excursions.

My person beef with these excursions goes like this:
- they are required.
- they go to cities. The last thing I want after stressing out in Shanghai is to visit another bloody city.
- they involve long hours of English practice at all times.

So on this note, I've been looking at summer camp options, and there's an extremely good one coming up. Red flags start going off, though, when I calculate the hidden extras. As an example, teachers do 4 hours of class each day, but they also must:

- eat meals with students (add 1-2 hours)
- participate in sports activities (add 1.5 hours)
- go on weekend excursions (add 12 hours each day)

Tacking on lesson planning, this makes 9 hours on the weekdays, plus the excursion, so it's a 65-70 hour week. That's just too much, even if some of the activities really are fun. So I'm looking at other options, but if I'm not mistaken, this is the norm for summer camps.

Steve

[Guest]

Steve

I can sympathise with you, but I got out of the two "weekends" which were arranged for the teachers (foreign and otherwise) since I have been here. There have only been two such weekends - one was to Nanjing and I cannot remember where the other one was - and I got out of them as I said I had to visit the "O". I do not think they were too impressed but they did not say anything.

I suppose I may have to go on one weekend next year just to keep them happy, but it is not the sort of break that I apreciate - being forced to go with your fellow teachers to a City that you really do not wish to see.

[laodeng]

At my university, probably the most excruciating events are those organized for "my enjoyment." Announcement of these is usually followed in a few days by someone's--usually my Chinese co-teacher's--telling me that the president (of the uni) expects all foreign monkeys--oops, teachers--to attend. Then in another couple of days the word comes down that all of the hou2 zi are expected to give a performance of some kind--again for our "enjoyment." Finally, in a grand ceremony, all the participants are rewarded with some ghastly bibelot and a handshake by the president.

It's things like this that supported my decision to turn my back on university teaching when the term is over in two weeks and concentrate on privates. Somehow I am beginning to find hard business relationships infinitely more tolerable than endless rounds of make-believe.

[JamesD]

What's wrong with just saying "No"?

A uni I worked at last year planned a welcoming tour of the city. Since I had been here a while I just told them thanks, but no thanks. If there is nothing in a contract that says you HAVE to go on excursions then don't go. If it is in the contract as a requirement and you don't like it either ask them to take it out or don't sign.

As for eating with the students, go ahead. Then bring a book to read during meals. Same for trips. Just because you're on the trip doesn't mean you have to stay with the group. When you get to the city they're visiting hop off the bus and say, "Wow, this looks great! I'll meet you back at the bus at 4:00. No, I don't want to see the first brick of the Great Wall, I'll be in the mall."

[oprah]

Put it in or leave it out of the contract. i do my 20 hours of teaching a week. ..that is it.
English corner they need to give me one weeks notice when they will have one and they pay me extra for that. They have to tell me beginning of June when my holidays will be, so far they do not know so I will proceed with my own plans. They have offered a wonderul trip for summer holidays with other teachers, but what would that be like??
I see the students once a week, in the class room. I donate , (give) one evening to the chinese english teachers and visit the office, as I enjoy the teachers this term, but not so last term, so did not do this. I go away every weekend, so I am not around, and they can not contact me as I do not have a cell phone.
When people sit with me on the bus who want to talk, I have them help me with my Chinese...

[naturegirl321]

At my school, the excursions are very chinese, late notice, waiting for hours to leave, quickly looking at the coutryside then quickly heading back home.

[Roger]

Late notice is for foreign teachers only - that's when the Chinese have decided who they want to join them on their outing!
The Chinese themselves often know about their trips weeks if not months before!

[Ace]

Do they ever ask where you want to go or what you want to see? I've been all over this province, and to Xi'an and to Qingdao with students...and didn't have to pay a thing so in one way I've been lucky, I've really seen a lot - but they've rarely asked me what I wanted to see...(it was great when they did, and they had a car, and they paid...) Apart from the mostly obnoxious mothers, you have to endure hours of car travel with monotonous music... they've probably chosen stuff they think you'll like; have you noticed how the Chinese do this constantly?

They answer questions by trying to anticipate what it is that you're really after, or give wrong answers because they think you won't really know where their hometown is...instead of saying "it's near..." or giving you the opportunity of saying "oh, where's that?"...have you noticed how the countryside is divided into departments that have the same name as the local big town? So when you think you're going to some place you've seen on the map, they're actually taking you to a place two hours further away...

They think they're being "kind-hearted"...

My best excursions have been with people who didn't speak English or have cars, but who took me to places where I wanted to go...like museums they'd never have walked into or been able to afford...I've paid, but it was worth it...

I'm a history nut, but Xi'an...was it really worth the drive and the mother and that awful food? Only to say that I've been...did anyone ever find a souvenir worth buying? (Do you know how many people have given me terracotta warrior statues...I have boxes of the bloody things!)

[laodeng]

Sorry . . . I could have been more clear in my comments above. I was talking not so much about excursions as about parties, social gatherings, and dinners, usually centered on Western holidays.

[Roger]

Christmas time is party time - prepare well, line up a hundred well-oiled excuses!

Personally, I hate the photo ops.
I hate it when the school enlists a professional photographer or journo and they wait for you somewhere on your path to your classroom, shooting pictures while you unsuspectingly go there.

Then, next thing, you will see your own mugshot in a publication. Or worse still: hear people comment on the fact that they had seen you on TV a few nights before!

I played this game in reverse, sometimes with total strangers outside the school: most Chinese OBJECT!

So, why the heck don't they have the decency of asking me whether I agree to them taking a shot at me???

[Tao Burp]

[7969]

i went on the first few outings with the teachers at my college, and after that, never went on any more. if they notify me a day or two before, i always say i already have plans and just don't go. i usually do have plans so i'm not even lying about it. the last dinner we had together, i showed up at the bus five-ten minutes late and was mildly reprimanded by my chinese colleague.... (i've waited for them a few times) at that moment, i decided i would never attend another outing with them.

i actually spend a lot of free time with the students playing ping pong or swimming, or just walking somewhere. i enjoy that time, and really have no contact with any of the other teachers.

[Klamm]

Be more assertive!

Before you arrange to sign your next contract, sit down and talk with the prospective school. Tell them your spare time is precious to you, you like to use it as you please and are not interested in random excursions or whatever other add-ons. You may feel that comes off wrong but you're there to teach. That's what they're hiring you for. If they are looking for a teacher go play with them on excursions, find another teacher. Say it in a nice way. Make up hobbies or things you enjoy doing outside school that will make it sound more reasonable to them. A lot of people come to China as teachers to teach and earn a living just as they might back in America, Canada or wherever else. We consider outside activities as encouraged, not obligatory in our home countries. That's how you should approach this in China.

You're not being unreasonable. It simply involves assertion and understanding with a smile in the beginning.

Good luck and happy hunting...

K.