Job Discussion Forums

[mcloo7]

The contract says the job starts Sep 1, but the school is also telling me to come on September 1 because that's when my apartment will be open, but if I want to come before that than tell them and they will help me. Does teaching usually start on Sep 1 or whatever day they say the job starts? Or are they giving you time to settle in and your classes dont usually start for a few days? I know this could vary by place but I am wondering about generalities.

How far in advance do you usually arrive for your uni job?

Im asking this here because I havent gotten a response from my last email yet.

[robbie_davies]

First week or ten days are set aside for military training. So you won't be teaching in the first week wherever you end up.

I always came around the last week of August.

[doogsville]

The semester starts on Monday the 2nd. Have they given you your schedule yet? Do you know when your classes are? If you're lucky you might have a day or two to prepare, if not, then just spend the first class doing introductions. Decide on the rules before you even get there though. Let them know what your rules and expectations regarding lateness, attendance, homework assignments use of cell phones in the classroom and all that stuff are on the first day. Better still, make a handout and give every student a copy, so they have no excuses later.

[doogsville]

[Non Sequitur]

If you don't know your timetable, getting there on Sunday (1st) with the possibility of classes at 8am the next day is utter BS.
Unless they confirm that your classes don't meet in that first week, insist on your apartment being available for occupation in the last week in Aug.
Again I'm reminded that Chinese have little appreciation of travel - times and effects. They believe we fly in circles somewhere over HK, just waiting to be flagged in to land and teach.
Expect them to meet you at the airport too.

[roadwalker]

I agree with Non Sequitur. It takes me a good week most trips home and back to stop feeling sleepy at inopportune times. I was told Sept 4 this term but won't be surprised to have a class thrown at me 8am Sept 2. I'm returning to the same uni and same apartment in that uni so it wouldn't phase me (much). New to China or new to a particular school, I would want at least 4 or 5 days to settle in, get the lay of the land, meet people and forget their names, take care of niceties and legal necessities, etc. The foreign affairs people at your school will see you as someone that they have to take care of for a bit, in other words, more work.

OP talk to the school about the above concerns but be flexible and assume they will as well. "I really want to be available for the beginning of the term, but I'm afraid I will be worthless if I arrive too late. Are you sure it's not possible to have an apartment ready for me sooner?" Something like that. No matter how firm you stick to your guns, portray yourself as the one who is reasonable and flexible. Be prepared for a less than ready to move in apartment, no schedule until the last moment and uncertainty as to where to get your schedule when it is ready. It may all go smoothly but it might not. Don't go nuts, just patiently explain (or ask, depending) what the matter is and smile.

[teachingld2004]

We start on September 2nd, but it is correct the freshmen start later.

I give out rules for them to keep, and then I have another paper with the rules and every one signs it.

First week is always introductions.

OP, tell your school that you want to arrive a week earlier and see if they can please have the apartment ready. Jet lag hits some times a few days later.

[Non Sequitur]

At my last gig, I never taught two consecutive classes in the same building.
Accordingly, it took me a week or two just to plot my movements.
As winter came on there was the need to get totally rugged up to move across campus. All takes time.
Also OP don't assume all your classrooms have the same A/V.
Bit disconcerting to have your stuff on PowerPoint and there to be no computer.
Some schools require you (teacher - not monitor) to sign for A/V keys at caretaker's office and of course all teachers - Chinese and FT are milling around at same time.
And after all that is sussed, they will change your timetable!

[Toast]

[Non Sequitur]

I think this would be a good time to start a thread for people who are new to teaching and have jobs lined up.
I'll compose an opening post on 'What should I plan to do with my first classes on the first day?'
Stay tuned.
PS I haven't been in a teaching tower block with actual elevators/lifts for years.
When available, freshmen seem compelled to not use the stairs at all costs.

[Bud Powell]

There's no military training at my uni. The Freshman don't start till two weeks after the semester begins, but everyone else has classes from the 2nd onwards.

The reason why the freshmen start two weeks later is because of the military drills. You may have been told that there's no military training, but there is. The school may call it something else.

[Non Sequitur]

"Some of the girls look pretty hot though"
A few years ago I was at Dalian Maritime U.
Each student had a naval uniform which they wore to flag raising ceremony at 7am, one day a week.
If you are teaching there this coming semester, get to the ceremony while it is still warm.
In their summer white uniforms the girls looked amazing.
Sorry to digress from the main thread of when to get there.

[maxand]

[Non Sequitur]

...actually they tended to come to my door..

[Old Surrender]

Tuesday, Aug. 27 is my "report to campus" date. Classes start in Sept.