Job Discussion Forums

chryanvii · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 125

I recently accepted a new job, and signed a contract, which states the following:
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Party B is obliged to fulfill any teaching, school service and student support duties, and, if applicable,

research requirements, all of which are subject to performance evaluation. Party A may revise any

performance evaluation policies and notify Party B of such changes; both parties shall be bound by the revised policies.
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Today, I received an e-mail which states this:

The PG.TAC programme is to be mandatory for full-time academic staff with less than three years’ internal direct teaching experience in our institute.

we will expect ALL newly appointed instructors to complete a required number of credits of the Postgraduate Teaching Academy Certificate Programme (PG.TAC) as part of their probation programme. All probationary staff will need to successfully complete the programme and the programme will form part of the probation review process.

In most cases new instructors will be required to complete 30 credits of the PG.TAC as well as the preparation of a portfolio on the study programme they undertake.
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I am already going to be teaching 18 hours of Listening and Speaking, Reading, and Writing (2 classes with grading papers).

The school did not tell me anything about this program before I signed the contract. And, as seen in the contract, the language is very "loosely" defined.
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How would you feel about being required to do this program as part of your job on top of your already existing 18 hours? How would you feel if the school didn't tell you about the program before signing the contract?

Would you take it with a grain of salt? Keep a positive attitude, and see it as a good opportunity for more professional development?

Would the Teaching Academy Certificate (TAC) be recognized by any other institution in the future outside of my own?

Doesn't this sound like a very hefty workload to you?

The bear · Joined: 16 Aug 2015 Posts: 483

I've never heard of the TAC. It's not one of the common acronyms in teaching, put it that way. It could be a Chinese qualification.

Definitely ask more questions about it.

The contract is indeed loosely worded, though technically I don't see it falling under any of the criteria, it's not 'teaching, school service and student support duties... research', to my mind at least.

Guerciotti · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 5:10 am Post subject:

... and preparation of a portfolio. Dang. Sounds like a potentially open-ended obligation. Or just something they can hold over your head.

How much will it cost you? Pardon my cynicism, but I would not be surprised if they charge you for this.

Perhaps a comment like "It may benefit me to earn a TAC at no cost to me", or something like that.

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

Find out how many class room hours constitutes a credit. In the States, thirty credit hours per semester is a full academic load and would preclude holding a full time job.

Did you attend college? If so, this should have raised some flags before you signed the contract. I'd pass that faster than a pint of beer after closing time.

chryanvii · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 125

From what I understand, the program will take 3 semesters, and will involve meeting 3 times a week (some lectures / online work / group presentations / group discussion / papers / reading, etc.)

Here's the thing...I was not told about the program during the interview, and there is no information about it in the contract!

Some other teachers have been told that if they refuse to take the program, their contracts would not be renewed.

Most of the program is evidently theory, taught by chinese instructors, and does not add any value to the current curriculum. It is a brand new "pilot" program which they hope to eventually take place all over China, and as a way to promote the program, they are requiring all new teachers to go through it (without telling them first)!

I didn't know anything about the program before I arrived. If I had talked to the right people and found out beforehand about it, I wouldn't have signed. Would you call this a classic "bait and switch" tactic?

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Do you have to pay for it?

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

Three hours per week? Pfffft.

What may happen is that the Chinese teachers who will teach the course will stop showing up after a month, and you'll find yourself sitting in a class room by yourself.

chryanvii · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 125

So, OhBudPowellWhereArtThou...

Are you saying this is a good thing, or a bad thing? This "program" which has been implemented and required for all teachers to take?

From what I understand, it's about 4 hours of extra requirement per week.

Would you continue to try to resist the program, knowing that you feel like you've been "duped" and that it's not specifically stated in the contract? Or would you just try to accept it and suck it up?

The program is 3 semesters long, and is therefore a year-and-a-half requirement! For all new teachers!

The bear · Joined: 16 Aug 2015 Posts: 483

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Completely agree with above.

The school,university,program etc. will be paying the 'instructor' big bucks to run the program that you will find is not run well and no doubt clueless. It'll probably include a [copied] text book that he goes through in poor English and doesn't explain alot. It's a way for the friend of a friend to make some good cash, he'll be getting a fat wad for teaching, maybe 500 or more an hour.