Job Discussion Forums

pennylane · Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Posts: 28

every forum i am a member of posts pics when they are newbies...sorry to have annoyed you with it...I will take it down

I was just wondering about their history..thats why I posted the question, because I wasnt sure if it would be spoken about freely - if i had every intention of going over there and asking about it, I wouldnt have posted the topic...?

earl · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 79 Location: DongBei

I have NO DOUBT! Very Happy

Dont take them too seriously though PL...

voodikon · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1363 Location: chengdu

burnsie · Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 489 Location: Beijing

Yeah, well if I post my photo I will get a lot of replies too!

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Welcome Penny,

Although I'm only going by the tone and content of your posts, it sounds like you'd make a great teacher for Chinese students, and you've certainly done your homework and asked the right questions. Places to choose from are many, as are the types of students to teach. Definitely you'd want to narrow this down.

Disregard the comments about female teachers not being respected as much. I've been doing this for 3 years, was once a senior teacher and trainer. From that experience, I saw level of teaching quality had absolutely no correlation with gender, and it had much to do with experience, attitude, and professionalism. This may be generalizing, but students are looking for a teacher who cares about them and their progress, who knows his/her material, and who can carry the class well.

The latter is especially important as China has a long educational tradition where the teacher is an authority figure. That means things like interactive participation and such, while they can be achieved, take time. At first, the teacher must show the students who's boss, and essentially communcate, "This is my class, and we're gonna do it this way." Once they get the respect, which will happen, you can loosen up.

Not much else to say except come over here and enjoy it. You will find the search function is especially useful on the Job Discussion Forum for exploring the different schools out there, as is the Job Information Joruanl.

Just bear in mind that when you encounter negativity, it is often the personal experience of the poster being generalized. It really helps to get a 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th opinion. Looking back, I went overboard in the criticisms of my last school, but had to get that off my chest at the moment. Oh well, people are people.

Steve

pennylane · Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Posts: 28

thank you all for your help! I feel like I know a little more now...

Guest · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 9:00 pm Post subject:

I have found that I do command respect here - but I must admit it is from the adults and not the children.

Children, like animals can SMELL FEAR and for the first week or so, 14 months ago I did a lousy job of controlling the classes. I am not that much better now, but I little, I think.

I also realise that the respect I receive is not for any other reason than OLD AGE. Chinese people seem to respect the elderly more than Australians to. At 57 I am considered very old here in China - and having survived that long is a reason to be respected. In Australia - I would just be on the scrap heap. Reason enough to live here, I should think.

The only advice I could give young women when they come here is to make sure that you walk into the classroom with confidence (although I realise this is easier said than done). Command respect from the beginning and settle for nothing less and then you may have some hope of taming the little buggers.

deezy · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:30 am Post subject:

Hi Penny....

(I can't see what's wrong with the picture.. )

One of my teachers is 21, and new to China. And teaching. She is an excellent teacher, spends time putting together creative lessons etc. etc. But she came to me the other day in tears, she had a small class of 5 year old boys, and they were out of control, totally. When I went to the classroom they were throwing screwed up paper, generally AWFUL. They looked at my face (I'm Rhonda's age) and shut up immediately...although one boy said 'naughty' so they are learning SOMETHING.

We spent sometime yesterday working at what we now call 'THE LOOK'. In fact all the teachers and Chinese staff joined in, to see who could do the scariest 'look'. The teacher needs some assertion training. The kids...as Rhonda says....can 'sense' when the teacher is scared, or not assertive, they learn very quickly what buttons to press.

As a migrant 'Australian' you already have the 'have a go' attitude which will get you through. Don't listen to all the negativity....make a note that 'some' people have bad experiences, - some will have them wherever they go! Others will accept all experiences, good and bad, as a learning experience, and grow from it.

If you do the course, you should be able to teach English in a large number of places in China. Do lots of research, ask lots of questions..which is what you are doing. Where you are in Australia will be vastly different from anywhere in China. I'm from Melbourne, and even the 'small' city I am in is bigger.

Don't forget Austudy. If you are an Australian resident, and studying something relevant, you can still get Austudy outside of Australia.

And you will not need extra cash. Unless you want to live the high life! If you get the right deal with a school, you will manage very well on what you earn. And don't be afraid of (some of) the private schools. Just check them out thoroughly, ask for a couple of email addresses of existing teachers etc..

Personally I quite like having a teacher who has just finished the course. No bad habits...and I enjoy seeing a teacher develop and gain confidence.

As for respect, well, I guess I'm like Rhonda...I've survived many years and am still above the ground so I get respect even from the (more ancient than me) investor. The young teacher has no problem, but then she didn't expect a lack of respect.

This is an exciting time for you. You're very fortunate that you have the opportunity to do these things - I say GO FOR IT!

MyraG · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 6:09 am Post subject: What about doing TESOL here??

Penny just bring your transcripts, you will get a job teaching kindergarden or a boarding school no problem. Try to do CELTA and not TESOL, after CELTA teaching is a dream, ( this is because CELTA is a nightmare) plus you will be readily able to teach in Aus if you want to. It is more expensive but it does prepare you very very well in all aspects, you begin to teach on the second day.

I think the best way would be to do your TESOl here so that you get aclimatised and will know where you want to live. I would say try a large city near Beijing or Shanghai, close to civilisation but not as expensive,

Everyone is right about big feet if you are over size 8 your choices are limited over 9 I hope you like being barefoot.

Fashion, there is so much choice especially if you have the money but basically Chinese fashion is well glitzy or weird. Best bet is to bring some vogues or pattern books or your favourite things to copy, they can copy from pictures exactly.

I am an older woman and I have had nothing but respect, China is a very safe country to be a women, your hardest battle will be with the older expat men who have gotten sick of the girlie bars and are looking for fresh meat. Try to stick with the younger crowds your own age, you will have a ball. And by the way teaching is not boring I am invigorated by it. I have wandered into a class half asleep after a night on the town and after 10 minutes of teaching I am wide awake.

And dont think it is going to be anything like you imagined, China is so many civilisations, so many types of people at so many different levels of knowledge and growth.