Job Discussion Forums

[kev7161]

This may be a bit lengthy, so please bear with me - - take a break if you feel you need one!

Today, a 3rd grade Chinese teacher of English came to my classroom to present a lesson. She used the text I use (New Parade) for my "conversational" classes. I showed her where we are in the text, what I would be doing if I were teaching the class, told her if she had any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Our school is big on teachers going to observe other teachers.

She presents the lesson and it's, you know, fine. She brought in her little laptop and hooked it up to a projector and had some nice visual and aural aids. She really didn't do the lesson out of the text, but rather borrowed elements and did her own thing, which was fine. Most of the lesson was review we've learned in the past: colors and animals and animal sounds. It was a bit . . . busy . . . for these little 1st graders, incorporating a lot of things, but not sticking to each topic for very long (which animals live on a farm? which animals in the jungle? in the water? etc.). But, overall, a fine lesson. She asked me to give her some feedback and my advice was to speak a little more slowly and repeat more often, remembering that these are 1st graders who, although very good for their level, are not exactly fluent. Also, I told her perhaps she should model what she wants the kids to do rather than just tell them and then, BAM!, get started.

In addition, not to sound catty or anything, but her mastery of the English language is also not wonderful. Her enunciation is a bit garbled and not always easy for even me to understand. She was giving out stickers and calling them "sticks" for example. So, lesson over, I gave her my feedback (praise first, then the suggestions). In attendance for this lesson was my principal, vice-principal of the K-1st classes, 3 English teachers and the head of my FAO. Plus me, my co-teacher, the student teacher we have, 25 students and desks pushed aside to accomodate the projector/computer set-up. Our little, tiny classroom was quite full, which gave me AND my co-teacher another opportunity to point out just how small this room is and how we'd love, next year, to be in a bigger space so we can actually get up and move around and do movement activities.

Now, I knew she was coming to do this, but I don't know WHY she was coming to do this. From day one, all I've heard from my principal and others was how wonderful I am, blah, blah, blah, BS, BS, BS . . . although they rarely visit my classroom. Recently I asked about next year's contract and they've hemmed and hawed and said those decisions aren't made until May of this year. "Surely," said I, " you can tell me now (in March) if the powers that be are at least INTERESTED in rehiring me - - we can work out contract stuff in May." Nope, sorry, don't know what to tell you.

So, this is where the paranoia comes in. MAYBE they are thinking of getting a Chinese teacher to do what I do (heck, they have textbooks from the west, surely any monkey can figure out how to teach from them!). MAYBE they feel like my salary is more than what they want to keep paying and a Chinese teacher can be paid a FRACTION of what I make and still be overjoyed with it.

I asked my co-teacher why the guest teacher, as opposed to observing me and talking with me afterwards . . . or my going to watch her in her own classroom? She surmised that maybe since I was so busy (which I am) that it was too difficult for me to go to her. Okay, maybe, but could anyone just tell me that? I don't necessarily feel threatened and if they want to go in a different direction next year, that is fine by me . . . as long as I know as soon as possible so I can make my own plans. Of course they could be leery of telling me now, worried I'd pull a runner, but I'd never do that, especially on the salary they pay me!

By the way, here's the principal's response to me. "What did you think, Kevin? Miss X is a WONDERFUL teacher, don't you think?" To repeat, her lesson was FINE - - not great, not horrible, just an average (and a little nervous - - she said she didn't know all those people would come) lesson with a few little bells and whistles I don't usually have in my lessons (I don't have laptop). So, there it is. We all know how crafty schools in China can be. This has been a good job for me, with only a few minor quibbles (and I've told them so), but do I have a right to be paranoid, or am I just being silly?

[Yu]

Kev,

Make sure you are asking the correct people about your job next year. I dont think it is too early for them to be making these decisions. The sort of non-answering they gave you could be the real case or they could be looking for a replacement. Be sure you know WHO to inform that you want to keep your job. Ask who you should inform.

Last year, I was told I did not inform the correct person I wanted to keep my job (which is true, I was scared of that person so I avoided him, but I did not know I had to inform this person.). Because I did not get a positive confirmation about my job last year, I started looking into other schools and the possibility of studying Chinese full time instead of teaching. I visited several schools for learning Chinese, and at one I was very impressed by the office staff. I gave that school my resume, and was offered a job two days later. I took it instantly. I later found out I could continue to work at my previous school if I let one person know. I am SO much happier with my current job.

I would first make sure you are telling the right person.
It could be the decisions were not made until early May (that was the time I figured out most of this stuff last year).
It does not hurt to see what other opportunities are out there.
I have already confirmed I will work for the same school next year and I will be teaching the same classes (perhaps, subject to change?!?-- a little too much planning for China I feel).

GOOD LUCK!

[shenyanggerry]

After teaching the spring semester (only) in 2003, I wanted to sign up for the spring semester (only) 2004. I was told contact us later. In June of 2004, I did sign a contract for the spring semester 2005 which included a guarentee of the same apartment - on the 3rd not 4th or 5th floor.

The right person CAN give you an answer if they want to. They just don't seem to think that far ahead.

[shenyanggerry]

After teaching the spring semester (only) in 2003, I wanted to sign up for the spring semester (only) 2004. I was told contact us later. In June of 2004, I did sign a contract for the spring semester 2005 which included a guarantee of the same apartment - on the 3rd not 4th or 5th floor.

The right person CAN give you an answer if they want to. They just don't seem to think that far ahead.

[kev7161]

Thanks Yu. Yes, I've told the principal and the head of the FAO that I was interested in returning next year. Not sure who else should be told.

[Brian Caulfield]

Relax Kev. They like you . I have had the same problem since being here . I don't take attendance . I just count them up and I always have more in my class than there is on the list . They want you to help the Chinese staff. And about next year . Asians always do things at the last moment . They don't know that far advance . You got the gig . Don't think too much .

[KES]

Just tell them you have been made an offer you are considering but want, being a good loyal employee, to give them the right of first refusal. Unfortunately, the offer must be accepted or declined by X date.

So sorry for the inconveience...

Put the ball in their court.

[latefordinner]

2 issues in play here. The first is the security of your tenure, and I would guess from the strength of your various postings and observations that any school that wouldn't want to keep you doesn't deserve to be called a school. Certainly there shouldn't be any difficulty renewing, if that's your objective. It's just a matter of letting people know, and letting them know that you want a timely reply (or else).

The second is just what does it mean that they paraded in the CT to do a demo with your class? Were they testing your class, and thus your effectivness? From what you describe, I thought it a third grade lesson, so if your kids are breezing it you should be pretty self-satisfied. Were they testing her? (Too bad you haven't yet had a chance to interview her and review the lesson with her. AFIC, having a class observed without a debriefing is a waste of time effort and scarce organizational skills.) Were they demonstrating to visitors just how advanced the school's students are, and the new+improved methodologies that contribute to this advancement?
I have no idea what the idea was, but from the principal's remark (or rather it's passing nature as you describe) I suspect there really was no clear idea in the first place. In this clusterf--- ahem, organizationally challenged envirionment that is Chinese education, that is not unusual. But you could ask the principal why he thought she was so good, and what he wanted her to accomplish. If he remembers.

[vikdk]

If they were trying to make you jumpy, less confident, more willing to come to future agreement that will be based on the schools rather than your needs - well they seem to be doing a good job.

If they wanted to sack you or not lengthen your contract why go to all the trouble of making a demo lesson months before the start of a new school year - they will just tell you (in the chinese way with some story or other)to pack your bags!!

A bit of moral fibre is needed here, stiff upper lip and that kind of stuff - or at least chill out a bit, and only get worried when real shiite hits the fan

[7969]

tenure....? these jobs are a dime a dozen really. my take on it is this: i work till end of contract. if no job is offered i move on. if i want to stay, and i ask about it, and they dont give me an answer in time for me to make MY plan, then i start looking elsewhere. if i find something else, and then current school asks me to stay, i tell them i found something else. its that simple in my opinion.

i worked for one school in 2003-04. i was told i was the best foreign teacher they've ever had (LOL). asked me if i wanted to stay another year. i said i'll think about it for a couple of weeks. the day i decided to stay and was about to tell them i'd stay i got an email telling me they didnt want to hire me for next year.

there's no loyalty shown here, so i reciprocate in kind. besides, chinese schools are always in crisis mode when it comes to hiring. they do no long term planning and they will admit as much to you. they know they need to do it, but they dont. they'd rather run around at the last minute scrambling around looking busy hunting for teachers

[kev7161]

Easier said than done. I hate to keep bringing up my pay, but it is MUCH more than your average ESL job.

I contacted a college down south that was advertising positions at 4500-7000. I figured that, with my experience and educational background, I could request the highest pay. Silly me, I found out in their response, the 7000 was for those with a PhD!!! Can you imagine?

[Petulia Pet]

Is Suzhou near Guandong Kev, I hope it is because I've read your postsand I'd like ot meet you. Ithink your teaching experience would bea big help to me.

[andrew_gz]

Petulia and Kev up in a tree K I S S I N G

[kev7161]

Sorry Petulia, Guangdong is in the south of China (Guangzhou, DongGuan, Shenzhen). Suzhou is near Shanghai.

[Petulia Pet]

I don't mind the travel but.