Job Discussion Forums

[TeachEnglish]

Interesting topic... thanks for bringing it up. I agree with the idea of a union, association or something along those lines to make conditions better for the teachers, and trying to encourage these so called language centers to treat everyone more fairly. It is very annoying to hear and see some of the mistreatment some of the foreigners get when they come to this area to teach. There should be a place for people to contact to see information on all schools especially if there have been complaints against a school and even positive comments. Of course this cannot happen overnight but a group will be listened to and take more seriously than an individual by these crooks and evil people that run these places. Something has to change for the sake of the industry and for us. I have been thinking about this subject for a while. I hope everyone will think about it.. and speak your mind and contribute any constructive ideas you may have.

[justme]

[sandyhoney2]

Any of the Canucks out there remember the impact that MacLean's University ratings had on schools throughout Canada when it was launched?

What MacLean's (Canuck Magazine like Time) did was to develop a ratings systems of Canadian university and rank them according to these scores. There were a lot of logistical problems in doing so, but the result was phenomenal. Students began using MacLean's to chose which universities to attend. Enrollment was affected,a nd it became a matter of prestige to be top-ranked.

(My university, by the way, was ranked 42 out of 44 in the first year, which prompted a LOT of changes)

This did not blacklist any particular university, but the lower ranked schools certainly felt the impact.

If, for example, a similar project was undertaken in Turkey, it would provide honest feedback and be a valuable tool for current or prospective teachers (and students as well).

Of course, you'd have to hammer out the logistics and assume that schools would be open to participation. Regardless, schools can still be ranked through teacher and student surveys and questionaires. Data would have to pass the reliability and validity tests... It would be a rather large undertaking more suitable for someone doing a Masters in Research Methodology.

OF course, you'd have to figure out a way for the information to be distributed - best way would be through a website, though a publication would be good too.

It would probably be slightly less work than forming a Teacher's Union/Group, but would probably make more of an impact. If anything, it might, as in the Canadian example, provoke change in the schools ranking lowest and be a source or pride for those ranked in the top.

[31]

If there was a real blacklist all the schools would be on it.

An earlier poster says it isn`t constructive which is one of her one liners but every time we offer constructive criticism like work permits, monthly pay, checking qualifications she doesn`d do it.

Pipe dreams

[ardabay]

[ardabay]