Job Discussion Forums

[Denim-Maniac]

I agree that people struggle to learn on their own. It could take a year to learn something you could learn in an hour with a strong mentor or guided learning and assistance on the job.

What did you think was nonsense it'snotmyfault? Just out of interest.

Im not sure about what advice Id give in this thread. Mcloo, I think asking whats the easiest is the wrong question really. You need to be thinking about where can you learn the most and provide a foundation to build upon. Thats the question I think.

[vikeologist]

I wasn't attacking or criticising the OP. I didn't think the OP was unable to take criticism. I phrased things badly. Sorry. On the whole I don't presume to have insights into people's characters based on what they write. Also on the whole when I respond, I'm trying to be helpful.

I understand where the OP was coming from. We read lots of accounts of teachers turning up at schools and then being basically told that they're crap teachers and not wanted.
There's less chance of that happening at Unis than at language mills, but its a big generalisation. We all make big generalisations and inferences on these threads. It just gets a bit boring stating it all the time.

The problem with Unis, or bigger organisations in general, is that there can be a lot of politics and back-biting. If a teacher is struggling, it can be counter-productive to be left alone to carry on. Being left to 'learn on your feet' is not always going to be in a new teacher's best interest.

As per usual denim maniac has put things better than me.

As for itsnotmyfault; (sigh)

I'd have thought that public schools (by which I was meaning secondary or primary schools) would be a pretty tough first gig for a NQT.

As for 'learning on one's feet', well, I don't think that's how people acquire new skills or should be managed, but maybe we're just disagreeing over words. I wouldn't dispute that self-appraisal is an important part of professional development. Someone wanting their hand held all the time, and not being able to think independently is very annoying. The danger of Unis can be that teachers are left on their own to sink or swim, and they're a lot more likely to sink. Again, of course a generalisation.

To be honest my comment about Chinese teachers was meant be a bit tongue in cheek, and I only meant the foreign language teachers. I guess I've just had a lot of exclusively bad experiences.

I know that I should only write measured, balanced and serious comments, but that would be so boring.

[it'snotmyfault]

It's easy to write balanced comments without being boring.

Just needs a little creativity.

[fat_chris]

[mcloo7]

[milkweedma]

The answer in my experience is University level in China. The stress is low as are the demands and expectations and you are left to your own devices. You can develop your own style and curriculum over time using feedback from students and other teachers if you are conscientious about what you are doing.
I taught cram school in Taiwan for 2.5 years also and both experiences were similar in that i was given a book and told "go and teach". I had to use my students to help me out with their feedback and experiences of what other teachers had done or currently did in their other classes as guidelines for how to structure my own. I observed some cram school classes before I started cram school teaching but found them largely unhelpful cos all the Chinese teachers ever did was rote learning using repetition and speed which I could see was disheartening and boring for the kids.

[GreatApe]

I agree with milkweedma above ... In 3 years, I've taught on just about every level in China. I've gained a lot of experience as a teacher, even though I already had 12 years experience teaching in the states (junior high, high school, university) before I landed. I have a K-12 teaching certificate, but little did I know, I would actually have to teach all those different grades in my first year working here!

My first job at a Language Mill was stressful (a true test of how many different levels I could teach in any given week at any number of schools in the city, including the training center). I taught 6 days a week, with very little vacation time. I eventually reached a saturation point where I just had to laugh and wonder: "What can they throw at me next?" I did demonstration lessons at a Wal-Mart.

I learned A LOT about improvising and thinking on my feet, answering questions, getting students to work together and cooperate, getting them to respond, to talk, to TRY! ... and I learned more about putting the focus on the students, rather than simply lecturing, teaching to a test, or talking too much. I learned to become "The Dancing Bear" ... I also learned that kindergartners are not the only ones who enjoy "The Dancing Bear."

My second job was much more "laid back" ... teaching in what amounted to an Oral English college. 3 to 4 classes a day .... students from 20 to 52 years old, mostly job-seeking students and/or business men and women looking to use English to gain a higher salary. They wanted a bit of book work and a lesson or two, some face-to-face time and some basic conversation. They were very good about letting me know what they want and I found this to be true at the university level too.

Right now, I'm teaching at the International school level (middle school and high school students). This job is somewhere in between the first two jobs. I have more responsibility and I feel like it's more of a career, but sometimes I get frustrated by the level of the students or their immaturity and lack of focus.

I would definitely say that teaching at the university level was the most comfortable for me. I would do so again and have thought about it several times in the last year-and-a-half. But right now I'm doing very well and I have a comfortable life at a good school. It's not always easy, but there are opportunities here for me as a teacher, an educator and a businessman. I'm not ready to give it all up just yet.

No matter where you teach, GOOD LUCK!

--GA

[Non Sequitur]

[Lancy Bloom]

Teach Chinese in your own country. The Chinese are running with the money now. You teach in China you teach beaten students. They are beaten physically and mentally. Teach the rich ones in your own country. Don't support recruiters here in China. Don't support wage slavery. Make the rich pay in China. They are not going to pay you in China. They have to pay you in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand , Hong Kong etc.

[NoBillyNO]

[LeopoldBloom]

The last time I was in China was 3 years ago but I think my advice is still current.

Unis and colleges would be the place to look... but be careful. There was a time when a uni/college gig would be a casual exchange of low pay for laid back work with respect. Now it's a mixed bag. At some unis/colleges you may well experience intense pressure and all the ugly things associated with language mill pressures. Some unis are partially private and be careful because they may try to say they may be public but with for-profit private branches typically look to foreign teachers to bring some income, cash cows, to fund other things as it were. As a result, you may have to consider positions that pay considerably less. Go totally public non-profit. Less money = less pressure, usually.

Definitely avoid Wenzhou University at all costs unless you read recent-- and credible posts-- that things have done a total 180 there. I had a horror beyond horrible experience there a few years ago and there were many other negative experiences posted on boards at that time or within a year or two after I left. Tread carefully! That's the best advice.

Bloom.

[mcloo7]

Are there any unis that hire for work starting in the summer?

[Non Sequitur]

There may be summer schools run by universities. The summer school ads will start appearing in a few weeks.
I presume you want to move to normal FT employment from Sept?

[mcloo7]

[Non Sequitur]

The one summer job I've done was secured privately. But then I was in China and had contacts.
My only comment is from memory that there are plenty advertised, when the time comes.
Seriousteachers.com is the site I normally look on.
A proactive approach might be to put your stuff up on seriousteachers.com now and indicate that you're looking for a summer gig with a segue into a fulltime job in the fall semester.
I'm totally clueless about the visa ramifications of this summer to fulltime pathway. Others may be able to help.
Best