Job Discussion Forums

[Jared]

Hello. I just got to China just over a week ago and started teaching. Now I live in Hangzhou city and I couldn't help but notice that in every primary school class I teach, I always have a Chinese assistant helping me. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I have one. Now one thing I was led to believe that there's not very many ESL teachers that have a Chinese assistant. However due to the experiences I've had lately, it's hard for me to picture myself surviving without an assistant who's bilingual. After my contract finishes here in China, I'm looking at going to Thailand or Japan on a WH visa. (I have no degree). Now do most ESL teachers have assistants that speak English and the local language at their jobs? I just can't picture myself surviving withought an assistant. What were your experiences?

[Gordon]

The only time I have ever had an asst teacher in the 11 years I've taught was in a Korean kids school I worked at when I first started teaching. Essentially the teacher was a spy and the only "help" they provided was hitting kids with sticks. This went on until I grabbed it out of her hand and said that if she hit another one of my students, I'd use it on her. That was the last time I ever had a "helper".

[orangiey]

In China I believe it's standard practice in primary schools to have an assistant.Don't knock it, they get paid loads less and can be a great asset if you are able to befriend them. They should also keep the classroom under control, it's their job, not yours so you can do your job and teach. If you are not happy with your assistants, just tell them nicely you think the class is getting too loud etc, they normally get the hint. I find that if I explain before the lesson what I'm teaching it makes the translations easier, but don't rely on translations, a good teacher should be able to convey the basic meanings with body language/expressions and flash cards!!! The assistants can help you explain the hard bits like grammer!

Good luck.

[kuberkat]

I agree with other posters that assistants can be a real asset. It is just so, so important to make them feel valued. Also, do discuss your strategies with them before classes, especially if you are doing something off the wall: they will support you if they can see the method in your un-Chinese madness, and may have great ideas.

Assistants are a real help in the beginning, but in time you will most likely find that your ability to communicate with new language learners, improves and you will be comfortable without them. You may also feel liberated!

[Jared]

I agree with you orangiey that a good teacher should be able to do the right body actions and not have to rely on translations. That's the hard part for me. I have some experience now and I still find it hard when I visualise myself in a classroom with no assistant. Just a thought that I had, I know it's common in China to have an assistant, though I was wondering, is it like that in most other countries to have an assistant also? Countries like Thailand, Japan, and Korea?

[kuberkat]

To clarify my former post, I should add that I never actually knew what to do with my assistants! Which made it really hard to make them feel valued. Now that I've been teaching without assistance for a year, I honestly know what they were there for in the first place. Anyone know?