Job Discussion Forums

[zazm]

Hi

I know this might be overbearing, but...
I have a friend who is conducting a survey of the teachers in China
And he enlisted me to help him.

Please take the time to fill out the survey and post your responses here.
Thanks for your help.
______________________________________Survey____________



( ) 1 How long have you taught in China?
A) less than one year
B) one to two years
C) three years
D) more than three years

( ) 2 How do you arrange your classes, what kind of materials do you use in class?
A) based on students� advice and interests
B) prepared by yourself
C) text books which are supplied by school
D) others (please write down your answer)

( ) 3 what do you think is the best way to learn English?
A) practice
B) recite well-known English materials
C) grammar and words
D) others (please write down your answer)

( ) 4 what role are your playing in English class?
A) only a teacher
B) guide and councelor to students
C) organizer
D) other (please write down your answer)

( ) 5 What is the relationship between you and your students?
A) teacher and students
B) friends
C) in classroom is friends, in the street as strangers
D) others (please write down your answer)

( ) 6 What is the main difference between Chinese teachers and foreign teachers?
A) teaching method
B) teaching attitude
C) teaching contents
D) others (please write down your answer)

( ) 7 Where do you prefer to give your lectures?
A) classroom
B) outdoor
C) library
D) others

( )8 What do you do in class to help your students learn English?
A) Encourage your students to speak more
B) Do a lot of activities and exercises to make them speak.
C) Make them speak and threaten them with bad grades.
D) Only speak to the good students.

( ) 9 Do you feel your students have learned a lot since you've taught them?
A) They learned a lot
B) They are improving
C) They are learning alittle
D) They are not improving.

( )10 What do you think foreign teachers� functions in teaching in china?
A) They serve a cultural function.
B) They serve an educational function
C) They serve a mentoring function
D) They serve no function

( ) 11 What is the main difficulty you Face in china?
A) culture shock
B) language
C) others

12 How do you give your lecture?
A) Give lectures yourself
B) ask your students to participate
C) guide your students to discuss or debate
D) others (please write down your answer)

13 how long do you usually give your lecture?
A) from beginning to the end of the class
B) 3/4 period of class
C) 1/2 period of class
D) others (please write your answer)

14 where do you usually stay when you give your lecture?
A) at the platform
B) in the front of classroom
C) in the middle of classroom
D) others

15 which part do you try hard to help your students to improve and why?
A) grammar
B) writing
C) oral English
D) others (please write down your answer)

[Roger]

1: D;
2: B, C, D;
3: A, C, D;
4: B;
5: A;
6: A, B;
7: D;
8: Cannot answer as the question is based on too narrow a definition
of FTs as "oral teachers"; surely teaching is not exclusively about
speaking???
9: B;
10: C;
11: C;
12: B, C, D;
13: C;
14: the platform is a death trap - watch out if you want to
take a bath in the crowd...
15: D, i.e. comprehension

[ahopfe]

1 B
2 B.C
3 A.D ( general Conversation) I.E. English Corner
4 A
5 A ( my students are only 6 years old )
6 B
7 A ( have no other real choice)
8 A.B
9 B
10 A.B
11 C
12 B
13 D Only teach with activities
14 B
15 A.B.C

[Songbird]

Hi there, here's my answers

1. a
2. b & c
3. a & c
4. b
5. b
6. a
7. a
8. b
9. c
10. b
11. b
12. b
13. c (or less!)
14. b
15. b

Sorry about some double answers, they were too close to call!

[Talkdoc]

[ChinaMovieMagic]

The options are quite limited/limiting.

The spelling should be checked.

What level is your friend-with-survey?
A) Middle School
B) High school
C) Other

[Jolly]

[ChinaMovieMagic]

At the risk of over-statement...
BELOW are key principles/practices for myself and many others...
(SEE www.ialearn.org and the "Promoting Change..?" thread at China-Job)

The 10 Elements of Accelerated Learning

Fundamentally, the concept of Accelerated Learning incorporates hands on experiences with positive reinforcement of the natural learning abilities of every individual. It's a system derived from detailed studies of the human mind and how it acquires knowledge, with consideration for Dr. Lozanov's conclusions that learning is enhanced when tension, stress, and preconceptions are removed. Accelerated Learning enables learners to move beyond limiting beliefs about themselves and what is possible, and tap into the potential they carry inside.

Lozanov believed that powerful learning must engage both the analytical brain and the emotional brain, along with both states of mind, the conscious and the unconscious. Based on these principles, IAL focuses on the following ten elements as key to successful Accelerated Learning facilitation and program design.

Knowledge about the Human Brain
Scientific knowledge and understanding of the brain supports the design of effective teaching and learning experiences. As we learn more about how the brain functions, and how that knowledge translates to classroom practices, the Accelerated Learning model adapts to integrate what we know about learning and what we do in the learning environment to support learning.


Emotional State
Without emotion, there is no learning. Our emotions powerfully influence the learning process and either hinder or enhance retention. When emotions are positive, we are open to new possibilities, our total mental capacity is available for learning, We are ready to move into new experiences. Accelerated Learning creates and maintains an environment in which each person is involved in the learning, engaged in what is happening and always feels empowered and resourceful.


The Learning Environment
AL takes into consideration every aspect of the learning environment that can positively or negatively affect the experience, such as lighting, temperature, acoustics, seat arrangement, color, d�cor, as well as the emotional and mental qualities of the environment. AL creates and maintains a fun, engaging, and rewarding environment that invites learners to experiment, discover and learn.

The Role of Music and the Arts
Because music creates emotional engagement and memorability, it is a valuable, and often overlooked, educational tool. It can influence the entire pace, mood and energy level of the learning experience. Art in its various forms facilitates self-understanding, emotional involvement and the application of knowledge to real life situations. Research shows that the arts � everything from storytelling to drama, to the visual arts enhances learning and speaks to us at both the conscious and subconscious level. AL uses all of the Arts to promote the development of the entire person and make learning inspiring and transformational.


Personal Motivation
The desire to continue learning is based on self-confidence, intrinsic motivation, and personal expectations. Accelerated Learning supports the intrinsic motivation of the learner as opposed to extrinsic awards like grade and prizes. In the AL classroom, learning is shared, cooperation stressed, and the learning community and group cohesion supports each individual in becoming the best they can be. By enabling learners to tap into their innermost desires, goals and vision, they naturally become engaged learners.


Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles
The theory of multiple intelligences and the many theories of individual learning and processing styles are an integral part of Accelerated Learning program design. IAL subscribes to Howard Gardner's perspective. . ."to respect the many differences among people, the multiple variations in the ways that they learn, the several modes by which they can be assessed, and the almost infinite number of ways in which they can leave a mark on the world.�


Imagination/Metaphors
Imaginative games and activities enrich verbal and written information with physical movement, color, depth, and positive emotions. Visualization skills enhance spelling, memory, creativity, and other abilities, and metaphors bring stronger meaning to any subject. AL uses ritual, metaphor, similies and analogies in various forms to support learning and make it more memorable.


Suggestion/De-Suggestion
Learners come into learning with many pre-conceptions about themselves, the world, the subject matter and learning. Personal suggestions, often called beliefs or mental models, sometimes enhance our ability to learn and often limit what is possible. In Accelerated Learning, the facilitator pays attention to each individual and supports him or her in moving beyond limitations. The AL facilitator designs the program, uses both verbal and non-verbal communication carefully and intentionally to be a supporter of learning and not an added barrier. What is not spoken may often be conveyed by body language, attitude, choice of words and thinly veiled expectations. Though subtle, positive suggestions, aided by a rich variety of learning tasks, music, movement and exercise, can create a positive mental state and raise energy levels and attentiveness.

Team Learning and Cooperation
Cooperative learning activities allow participants of all abilities to benefit as mentors and learners, develop interpersonal and time-management skills, and more fully develop their creative talents. The sharing of learning reinforces individual learning and group results.

Improvement and Results
Learning expectations should be clearly defined and shared with participants and constituents so that:

learners are able to comprehend the relevance of the subject matter to their lives and facilitators of learning can measure progress and generate objective data that can be used to continuously improve and add value to planning, assessment, and process improvement.

[Ricepaddy]

A great way to conduct a survey. Reminds me of www.bathroomsurvey.com and is probably just as useful.

1. 15 minutes. The rest of the time I've been faking.
2. I don't arrange my classes, I blindly follow the whims of the campus leadership.
3. The best way to learn English is in a hot-tub, reading the Bible. Trust me, I'm a foreign expert.
4. I play the role of Waiguozilla, the foreign monster.
5. I am their God. They ignore me. My students are FE Agnostic.
6. Foreign teachers are much richer. EVERYONE knows this.
7. In a hot-tub. See (3) above.
8. Electrodes to the nether regions. Never fails.
9. They learn enough to suggest you should drop by.
10. We are Gods. See (5) above.
11. Inane questions.
12. One word at a time.
13. Until the last student nods off.
14. In a hot-tub.
15. Oral. Most definately oral.

WTF is this??? Are we supposed to take this seriously? (Not I, of course, as the more perspicacious have probably noticed).

If this is intended as a serious survey it is the most half-assed effort I've ever seen. Shame on your friend, and on you, for your acquiescence.

I've noticed the same idiotic survey posted on the China Daily forum. Have you had much luck there..?

[zazm]

first of all, its not my survey, I was just helping out a friend.
And I thought you guys would like to help out and know what Chinese students think of foreign teachers in China.
Please, don't shoot the messenger
And the survey on the China Daily actually did very well
Thanks for asking

[ChinaMovieMagic]

Sorry...I don't know about other folks, but when I read
>>I have a friend who is conducting a survey of the teachers in China<<
my impression was that it was someone from overseas.

It would have been clearer if written:
<I have a Chinese friend-in-China, (IN h.s/university/etc.), who is conducting a survey of the teachers in China...

In either case, the friend needs to study about questionnaire design.

[Ricepaddy]

I've added a comment on the Off-Topic forum, but I can't help but add...