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Construction right outside of the classroom
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FreakingTea

Joined: 09 Jan 2013
Posts: 167

Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 3:00 pm Post subject:

Quote:

I am more inclined to believe the teacher is not teaching effectively as they could. I believe they are not approaching the problem in the correct manner.

That's exactly why I made this thread. I'm a beginner who has never encountered this problem before, and wanted to ask for advice and different perspectives. I dealt with it the first couple of classes by moving around constantly, but because they were just introduction lessons, I haven't had the chance to try group work. I'm glad to hear that's what will help in this situation, because it's what I was hoping to do anyway. I will just have to try and get creative.

Now that I think of it, it looked like they'd be finished with that building fairly soon, though there's still a big empty gravel space between the two buildings that will have to be dealt with, hopefully quickly. And once it cools down (eventually) we'll at least be able to shut the windows.

chinatimes

Joined: 27 May 2012
Posts: 478

Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 3:52 pm Post subject:

Quote:

I'm a beginner who has never encountered this problem before, and wanted to ask for advice and different perspectives.

If you have computer access, you can prepare pictures. This is ideal for conversation. You can show a picture and walk around groups.

Instead of writing sentences, I have them make lists to help remember what to talk about. The noise actually helps because group 1 cannot hear group 5. During this time I talk with them and find out information from each group.

The noise levels are usually not constant. When there is a quiet period, you can then have one group ask the other questions. Since you already went around and got information you can help steer the group questioning towards the answer. Other times, you won't want to and let the class try to figure it out.

kev7161

Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 5880
Location: Suzhou, China

Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 10:04 pm Post subject:

Quote:

I am sitting here putting 2 and 2 together and I can't believe construction is causing that much of a problem. Answer me this, are the other teachers saying the same thing? How come only this teacher is stating they want to move to another building? I am more inclined to believe the teacher is not teaching effectively as they could. I believe they are not approaching the problem in the correct manner.

I suggest they break the class up into groups. If you don't like it, fine. Complain to the school. I honestly don't care. I already solved the same problem my own way and if the horse won't drink from the water, then there is no need taking this horse to the water anymore. It simply will not drink.

Oh, I get it now. You are teaching at the same school and you know this poster. You know the layout of the school as well as have intimate knowledge of his classroom. Of course you know the other teachers at this school so already know there have been no other complaints. Surely someone wouldn't make ASSUMPTIONS with only limited knowledge of the situation. Because you know what ASSUMING does, right? Laughing

teenoso

Joined: 18 Sep 2013
Posts: 365
Location: south china

Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:31 pm Post subject:

OP, if you have a problem that the other teachers at the school can help you solve, why not just talk to them , instead of posting here ? As Kev says, it seems like you and chinatimes are on the same campus, (and on the same wavelength !) We outsiders cannot possibly 'fill in the gaps'.

chinatimes

Joined: 27 May 2012
Posts: 478

Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:55 pm Post subject:

Quote:

You are teaching at the same school and you know this poster.

I can relate to this poster. I had the same issues and I still do which I resolve differently. They have already confirmed my suspicions. Why is this so hard to accept?

Quote:

You know the layout of the school as well as have intimate knowledge of his classroom.

Yes, I have seen many rows upon rows in classrooms. I have heard construction. I have witnessed students trying to communicate but not be heard because of distractions. I wait until their melody bell stops because it interrupts the class if we start earlier.

I don't think any of this is far fetched, and I am sure other teachers have experienced the same thing. We are not identifying a criminal in a crime here. We are talking about schools which are laid out the same way from Harbin to Sichuan. It's not rocket science to come to the same conclusions.

Quote:

Of course you know the other teachers at this school so already know there have been no other complaints.

Well, ok, so what you are saying is if other teachers had the same complaint their course of resolution would not be to talk with the school but individually post on a website? We the posters have magical powers to unionize teachers at one school and make schools change buildings so the teachers can teach in a quieter environment?

If you have such powers, then let's see it. I can let you know where I teach and maybe you can get rid of the noises and other distractions at my school.

Until then, I will have to resort to the crazy method of working with smaller groups in the classroom which has had successful results since 2010. Before then, I had a co-teacher who was there for the purpose of keeping students quiet so I could finish my lessons.

But that's all crazy right? It's the construction noise. Our lessons would be so much better if it wasn't for construction. LOL

I can understand a gripe about construction, but to tie that in with the success or failure of a lesson is not quite believable.

Quote:

Surely someone wouldn't make ASSUMPTIONS with only limited knowledge of the situation. Because you know what ASSUMING does, right?

I could assume you are right. Then what? Not teach my next class because there might be construction?

If I assumed the construction could completely change the success of the class performance, then why would I work at a school that agreed with this notion but instead have me scheduled to work near a construction site?

I am assuming, but it's not getting me anywhere. Perhaps your assumption that something can be done will convince the Chinese school system to revamp this. If so, my last assumption here is that you should stop discussing this with me and contact the Chinese. They need people like you to make changes for them.

Last edited by chinatimes on Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:11 am; edited 2 times in total

chinatimes

Joined: 27 May 2012
Posts: 478

Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:00 am Post subject:

Quote:

As Kev says, it seems like you and chinatimes are on the same campus

No, I worked at a school in the northeastern part of China. Since then, I have worked in several schools at different locations. I have faced the exact same problem.

It's only something in the northern part of China? Only in the northeast? These cities span about 4-6 hours by train. Either it is a common thing or I just happened to work at these schools that have construction sites.

In fact, the people I talk to and the places I have studied and visited also had construction going on.

This is not that isolated of an experience. If you don't know about this, then you are probably new to China or on some agenda to make changes. If so, contact the Chinese. Make changes.

Until then, I will find ways to deal with the construction.

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