Job Discussion Forums

[spiral78]

[Sashadroogie]

If only we could bottle you, eh, my furry friend? : )

[spiral78]

Put him in between brackets and squeeze very very hard for a long time!!

[fluffyhamster]

Here's my summary timeline take on this thread:

OP mentions among other things an issue with translation (or rather, the lack of it when it had been expected, and would usually have been insisted upon being given).

Various bits and pieces of advice are offered, among which are strong admonitions from two non-Japan hands not to translate, and only offer instructions a la CELTA training (as of course nobody in Japan can possibly have done any training at all). One of these non-Japan hands doesn't miss the opportunity to here too, and several times, express his unwavering support for the working man blah blah blah.

I and others point out the utility of translation certainly in this context, while I go on to express reservations about the style of interactions that the "approved" methodology produces. I am simply told by Spiral that instructions (directions, "requests"), presumably of the CELTA type recommended above, are common in all areas e.g. universities, professional workplaces.

Again, I express some doubts, and eventually think to start linking to publications that support my views regarding the nature of authentic language (certainly, in non-CELTAy settings). I also poke a bit of fun at Sasha, as again, not enough information is forthcoming from him.

Only then does Spiral get back to me, and finally deign to tell me (and whoever else is reading), or should that be "admit", that "only educated and qualified teachers - I and other teachers with upper level qualifications - actually do move (far) beyond the basics taught on a CELTA" and thus use "non-rote instructions similar to those we'd use with our own native English speaking colleagues". (As if the second paraphrase there bears little or no connection to anything I'd been mentioning!).

A question, then: does anybody else here (other than Spiral and Sasha, obviously) detect the same clear-cut case of patronizing double standards, and of arguing and being disagreeable for little or no reason other than an apparently overbearing sense of entitlement and self-importance? And should anyone who's not done a Dip and/or MA just do as they're told and muddle along regardless, thinking they can never know or do any better? Enquiring minds want to know!

Tl:dr version: I love how Spiral spent several pages telling me I knew nothing and had nothing of relevance to say, but then suddenly must've realized how foolish that sounded, especially given the pdf link I posted (to say nothing of all the points I'd made and obviously scored with, but which of course were studiously ignored). Not that Spiral's hysterical "How dare you suggest that stuff like that isn't seen as of any relevance where superior teachers like Sasha and I teach!" was any comeback at all (and again, that wasn't actually what I said. My main point throughout was simply that I held the stuff I'd been raising for those several pages to be of relevance to MY teaching at least, and I certainly didn't expect to have to wait for so-called superiors to [dis]approve my rather than their mentioning of that stuff!). Intellectual dishonesty, misrepresentation and tiresome self-importance of the "highest" calibre, in other words. About par for the course for such condescending posters though!

[Sashadroogie]

Fluff, you neglected to include my unwavering support for the working man in your selective summary. Shame on you!!

[RM1983]

Id say this is quite a lot of waffle when you look back to the OP, he was prepared to do half a class and was made to do a whole one. No wonder he was flapping, you need to think on your feet to just be dropped into a JH class like that

[Vince]

You're not being too sensitive about how the Japanese teacher treated you. He bullied you. That his job is stressful doesn't excuse it in the slightest.

Has the teacher done anything else since springing that 50-minute class on you just as you were walking in? If he does, I'd suggest resetting the tone. Take him aside and tell him that:

- you and the class need time to get established with each other
- you do rely on him to step in when the limits of communicating with the student in English have been reached
- you need clearer collaboration and reasonable notice

That's basic professionalism, so don't let him twist it into you wanting special treatment.

[mitsui]

Yes the OP wrote about teaching in junior high while Spiral has taught students from Meiji Gakuin. Apples and oranges.
University teaching is much easier since you do not have to team-teach.

[spiral78]

[happyinshangqiu]

[happyinshangqiu]

And before you and your pointless sidekick even think about replying to me, click the link and heed the song!

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDcxNzAwMDky.html

Student Centred Learning? I bet none of your students gets a word in edgeways in any of your classes, Miss Anal-Retentive-Need-To-Have-The-Last-Word-At-All-Times.

[mitsui]

Wishful thinking.
Sure wouldn't be nice to have the class to oneself, teaching in English only?
Sure.

But what do you do then?
Tell the Japanese teacher to not speak in Japanese?

I will be team teaching in April and while I can teach in English, the Japanese teacher will do as he pleases. Whether I like it or not.

That is why some people prefer teaching at a university, since they do not have to deal with team teaching.

[Maitoshi]

From some of the other threads, it sounds like some ALTs study for JLPT while the JTE rambles on in Japanese. Doesn't sound half bad unless you are actually trying to teach.

[Sashadroogie]

[RM1983]