Job Discussion Forums

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

As the title states, are there any real teachers left in China? When I say real I mean teachers who are commited to their job, stick to the contract, don't pull midnight runners, don't do illegal things with their students etc... etc...

I ask this because I am shocked at the conduct of teachers I have witnessed here in China.

To date my school has only had 7 foreign teachers, 2 of us are still here. The first got his visa and did a runner. The second was caught using drugs with a student. The third was very violent towards an office worker. The fourth completely lied about his background and was obviously unable to teach. And the latest, with just two weeks until the end of term, a midnight run because he found a higher paying position.

What the hell is going on. It's no wonder the schools want to hold our passports and watch our every movement. Sure there are some bad schools here in China. As some of you know I have been in troublesom situations myself. But from what I have seen firsthand here, it makes me wonder....

This latest runner has put the icing on the cake. With a contract of 14 classes and only having to teach 8, with full pay. He complained, among other pathetic little things, about having to attend a voluntary 'English corner' and giving his own students an exam. Naturally the school administrators are very angry, who do you think is going to suffer? It's going to be the remaining teachers and anybody who comes here in the future!!!

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

friedrich nietzsche · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 155

If the practical employment policy of a school, or even a whole school system, is to hire anyone who is white, then quality will certainly be an issue. If a guy with actual qualifications gets paid the same as some backpacker, then it is likely that many qualified folks will simply go to where they are appreciated. A lot of this has to do with selection crtieria and hiring processes. It is a lonely and frustrating thing to have educational principles in China. I fear that you will have many reasons to shake your head.

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

andyscott84 · Joined: 02 Nov 2005 Posts: 115

You do meet the odd coward in this job, ey? No point going into a rant about if you sign a contract you should fulfill it, those people probably won't change. Want to do as little work as possible for the most money. Probably never done a real day of work in their whole life.

We have a list of schools that we have to be careful of, maybe it is time to have a list of people that should not be hired as well.

mandu · Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 794 Location: china

Im a real teacher
Im commited to my job,in the 5 years i have been here this is the best job i have had.
i have never done a runner,i have always stuck out my contract.
i prob have been pretty lucky with the jobs i have had since being here.there are things that i disagree with at the kindergarten i work at,but its not going to change.

if i turn up to work on time,do my job as best i can,everyones is happy.

Don McChesney · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 656

You cannot only blame the teachers for the runners and failure to complete contracts.
The problem is a difference of perception. The FTs feel put out by things that are of no consequence to Chinese employers, like privacy, amenities and extra work.
The employers are unable to understand things we take for granted, like respect for us as adults, and our freedom of choice. They are also losing face every time we criticize the programme or policies of the establishment.
But yes, there are misfits and no-hopers who come to China for the wrong reasons. They have no interest in teaching professionally, and often no desire to meet obligations. I suspect many have the same attitude in their own country.

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

Well the system will eventually right itself . I just got laid off . It was mutually agreed upon . I would have left anyways. The problem is also with the Chinese . They cheat on a lot of things and lies come out of the mouths easier than I can gombey a glass of baiju .
I love this game called wei-chi or as you know it Go . The characteristics of a good Chinese player is that they are tricky . Chinese like winning with the trick move or as they call it soujin . It doesn't work with me because I can remember my games and just tell them meyou and replay it , pointing out where they cheated .

frigginhippie · Joined: 13 Mar 2004 Posts: 188 Location: over here

Not that it's entirely their fault, but I've noticed a lot of schools don't do ANY background check on applicants. Something as simple as a letter of recommendation, or a reference contact would make a world of difference for recruiters. I was hired without even a phone call to see if I could speak the language. Luckily for my school, I am real Laughing

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

The great Chinese TESOL paradox is that conditions are often so bad that real qualified teachers will often be so shocked with the way they are treated that they soon leave or never come back after doing their first contract - leaving the door open for the white traveler who works in a bar or a restaurant when backpacking around Europe or the states.

In fact many of the jobs here are seemingly reserved for the unqualified - just look at the EF thread where one posters believes that the company prefers the inexperienced and pliable recruit over those who can really do a job.

I think the real question here is not are there any real teachers - but are there any real teaching jobs which offer at least the basic norms of real teaching back home, because I for one believe that if you are treated as TESOL trash then leave, leave and leave again those jobs until you find one that approaches the standards of our profession!

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

Roger where do the buccaneers hang out - I'd love to meet one

frigginhippie · Joined: 13 Mar 2004 Posts: 188 Location: over here

Buccaneers?

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

ya Roger let me know to where I can contact some of these scums . I am lonely here . I don't stay anywhere long here, unlike other countries I have worked in where the shortest period of stay would be two years . But I know that the next job will probably be the same so I change and get new scenery . Trick is to not let them get you down and like yourself enjoy China .

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

I consider myself fitting into the "real teacher" role the OP was referring to. I have been at the same school for 2 years now and planning on signing on again for a third. I have never pulled a runner. I believe that there needs to be a certain give and take for both the FT and the school. I get fed up when I see/hear of/read tales of irresponsible FT's. What kills me is how quick some FT's are to cheer them on. I agree that there are some bad schools out there but there are also quite a few bad teachers. Not every schoo/Chinese boss is bad.