Job Discussion Forums

vespertine · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 35

Pardon me if this has been asked before, but what level of dress do you employ when teaching?

deezy · Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 11:17 pm Post subject:

I always wear a smart suit, except in summer, when it's just smart trousers and top. My male teachers wear a suit, shirt and tie, and trousers and shirt no tie in summer. The teachers who teach the really young children (3 to 5 year olds) can wear jeans etc., because they are often on the floor (YES!) with the kids.

lowes13 · Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Posts: 56 Location: Jiangsu

Now that the warmer weather is upon us I�m down to me Speedo�s, vest and sandals.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

oh, socks, shoes, underwear, slacks, short sleeve shirt (even though we are having a spurt of really cool weather lately - - THAT won't last much longer!). Occasionally I'll wear blue jeans or some corduroys, esp. when I have only one class, like today.

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

Well, as my signature implies, I rarely leave the house looking less than my best.

Of course, I am one of those who believes a teacher is a teacher and should dress the part. So I never go to class in jeans or anything like that, but if that works for you, OK. Anyway, I own a large collection of those polyester shirts and nice sweaters, which I pair with khakis or black trousers.

Now, on Thursday and Friday I only have two hours (one class) to dress up for, so I will probably break out the sandals one of these days. But no jeans, ahem. I've probably spent way more money on my wardrobe here than I would care to admit, but oh well, if one must wear clothes, one might as well wear nice ones.

By the way, dressing more like your colleagues (and less like a college drop - out) may improve your standing in the community.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Atlas · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 662 Location: By-the-Sea PRC

I like to wear flippers and a sombrero,
kulats and a monocle,
johdpurs with beret,
kilt with cleats,
lederhosen and haltertop.

I have no choice, it's all part of the school's "international" dress policy.

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

I think it depends on where you are working. Another poster mentioned that when working with children, the FT's dress very casually as they get down on the floor to play with them, which makes alot of sense. I think it depends where you are working. I believe most FT's dress business-casual. I admit for myself though, I dress casual to work Embarassed

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

roostasha · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 72 Location: China

Jeans and t-shirts/sweaters mostly. When it gets hotter I'll wear long shorts, capris and skirts. I work with little kids and we jump around and sit on the floor. I try to dress a little bit more professionally on the days I teach my adult class. I would never wear the clothes I wear to teach in here if I was working in a university or public school.

hilary · Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 246 Location: Kunming

The principal at the kindergarten at which I work (only 8 weeks to go, he he) has suggested that I refrain from wearing skirts (I'm a woman, not a lumberjack, okay?) and sleeveless tops (I'm not fat, nor do I have tuckshop arms, okay?). The reason for the former, to avoid the embarrassment of 4-year old wandering hands. For the latter, it is apparently rather indecent to show one's shoulders .... One of my predecessors was taken to task over open-toed sandals (she is a woman, not a hobbit, okay?)

Has anybody out there encountered similar strictures?

By the way, I don't take any notice. The temperatures hover already around 30 to 35 with something like 80% humidity. Like I give a damn about Management's sensitivities.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I would never have thought your kindergarten to have such Draconian rules, HIlary!
In other kindergartens in the area I can inform you that CHinese staff have to buy polyester uniforms - light, seemingly fashionable and cheap. But you can understand how people hate them - polyester in a hot classroom! And having to pay for it and wear it!

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

dearbarbie · Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 317 Location: Tianjin, China

LOl...I would never dream of wearing casual gear in the classroom. I always wear trousers and dress just like I would if I was working in the UK.

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

Clothes don't make the teacher.

I teach at a university here in HK and I can wear what I like, as long as it is clean. I usually simply wear jeans, loafers, and a shirt. But then, what did your lecturers and instructors wear when you were at university?

In my books at least, success means never having to wear a tie.