Job Discussion Forums

[theoriginalprankster]

I'm pulling out what hair I have left!

I started a new contract at an "international school", and the students are the dregs who couldn't cut it in public schools, so this is their last stop/an attempt by their parents to save some face.

And they are HOPELESS. Lazy, spoilt, unmotivated, not particularly bright, very low English levels. I have quite a few who walk into class and go straight to sleep - I've never accepted that, but the school won't allow me to punish them.

I'm thinking of terminating the contract based on the fact that I don't have the skill set to deal with these "special needs" students.

It's futile teaching them. Worst students I've had in 15 years of teaching.

Now it's a case of give a month's notice before CNY, and possibly get fined RMB10000, or pack and go over CNY. I need the release letter, so I'm trying to think of the best (and right way) to leave.

[rogerwilco]

[ghost]

Prankster,

I know a teacher in a similar predicament to yours, and we pm'd you, to no avail.

Please look at your message box. There is a good option for you.

Move fast, and chances are you will be satisfied witb a new job offer for you.

Ghost in China

[theoriginalprankster]

[rioux]

Just roll with it and don't do much in class if they don't.

[jaybet3]

I've got to comment on this thread because I've found myself in the same situation. A private school hired me to teach seniors who behave exactly as described above.

I was ready to quit or switch to primary classes, but I asked a more experienced teacher (who happens to be a former police officer) come to my class one day and he went at them like a military drill instructor at boot camp. Basically, he said that they behave for me or he'd come back.

The next class I had apology letters from every student and a much better behaved class. I still have to keep firm with them but there's no more sleeping and a lot less talking now.

Luckily, our school is in favor of discipline and they know this class is a problem for all teachers; Chinese included so these actions were supported.

About 1/3 have a decent level of English so I try to focus on them while keeping the others from making too many distractions. It's definitely not an ideal situation, but they're behaving much better than when I first got them.

Also, if you can do any kind of lessons using videos, PPTs, etc. it really grabs their attention.

Other than that, good luck and if possible, look more closely at the students and school you'll be teaching at your next job.

[theoriginalprankster]

[rogerwilco]

[ghost]

Prankster

There are zillions of jobs in China. However those with decent pay in the 12,000 range and above tend to have high stress.

If you prefer less stress, choose a uni gig, with pay in the 7000-8000 range, and supplement the low uni hours, 12-16 hrs, with private gigs, and you will net around 12,000-16,000 per month, or more.

Currently there are 2 vacancies at a decent uni, that I could direct you to.

Follow the pm.

Ghost in China

[jaybet3]

OP, you saying you have more than one class that's a problem? Sorry to hear that. I only have one.

In regards to respect, they already don't respect you so what's to lose if you bring in a "bad cop?" Anyway, I don't know your complete situation but can relate to your stress.

Can you PM me the name of the school so I never apply there?

There's a primary 3 gig open at my school if you're interested in teaching the little ones.

[Foo_Fighters_Dave]

I remember you posting in the summer time that you thought you hit the jackpot with this job. Were you able to gather any information about what the students were like before coming?

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

Prankster,

You don't explicitly state it, but I guess that your administration expects certain outcomes but won't support you when you read the class The Riot Act.

If this is the case, put the weight on the namby pamby administrators and ask them"Just what in the h3ll do you want me to do? They won't pay attention. They talk nonstop, and they are apathetic. You don't support my attempts to bring order to this group. Please advise me."

Inevitably, administration will read you school rules. If there really is no provision for dealing with unruly and unmanageable students, tell them so. If there are provisions for dealing with such students, start handing out the punishment and let the administration handle it from there.

You have probably already been told that you are the professional and must sort it out for yourself. Meet the administration head-on: "Which is more important--- enrollment or quality of education? You decide. I can't teach without your help. If I recommend suspension, I expect you to support me."

I've been down that road in the States. It happens in public schools as well as in private schools. Take it for as long as you can, and have a job lined up and everything cleared when it's time to leave.

FWIW: One strategy that works for me (in good classes that occasionally get out of hand and bad classes that are always bad) is to stand before the class and stare at all of the rambunctious horde until they shut up. You can make marks in your roll book to award demerits. To make it easy on yourself, just look at the talkers and pretend to make dots in your book every time you look at a student. If they believe that you make note of their poor behavior and anticipate some sort of negative response from you, you may be able to keep the class in check.

[Modernist]

I think this is just part of the scenery at places like this. There's little or nothing OP can really do. The school is all about money, the parents aren't paying for their precious child to either a)fail or b)be disciplined.

Schools like this tell parents that their lazy, entitled brat children can somehow be redeemed through the apparently miraculous efforts of skilled Chinese teachers as well as what in Korea we used to call the 'magic wagookin effect', or the notion that simple proximity to foreigners would change the whole trajectory of a student's performance. The FT is supposed to just inspire them to be better or something. Only positive actions, nothing negative. The parents seem to believe this BS and pay accordingly.

Of course, if/when this doesn't work, it's certainly not the fault of either the student or the school, it's because the foreigner doesn't 'understand' how to make the students learn, because they aren't a good teacher. A good teacher would turn the same class right around, but the current teacher just isn't very good (goes the thinking of the administration/parents) so they need to figure out how to improve their teaching and then the problem will be solved.

Regardless of how stupid this way of thinking may be, I would give good odds that it's what OP will be dealing with or is already dealing with. It's why you won't likely get support from the school in terms of punishment or discipline.

[theoriginalprankster]

Very good advice by all - many thanks!

I've even been offered jobs through this thread - excellent!

[Non Sequitur]

I think the lesson is to 1. Either start as a disciplinarian and then ease off as you see students making an effort.
Or
2. Start as wacky entertainer who can't be missed and carry the students with you.
Trying to get order after a few weeks of mayhem is 'toothpaste and tube' stuff.