Job Discussion Forums

ellenjane10 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 12

Have any of your schools decided upon the dates for the 2004 Winter Holidays? Chinese New Year is January 22nd. I'm just wondering about booking flights during the holidays. Any information would be welcome.

MartinK · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 344

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

I've got a copy of my school's administrative calander. Officially it's Jan 3 at my school, but I'll be done classes by just before Christmas (this might change a wee bit.)

However each school, district, and/or province might have different exact dates.

And if you work in a private school it again might be different altogether.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Actually, they do know these dates. They just don't want to bother figuring it out. The reason it always changes is because it is based on the Lunar Calendar. Ask A Chinese coteacher.

Remember, January 1st, if it is in the middle of the week, they will be asking you to teach the weekend. In the Spring they have you teach on the weekend for sports day and May day holiday

anne · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 8

I understand the frustration of the holidays! As a teacher in Canada I admit that one of the first things I do is highlight the dates for thanksgiving, christmas and march break in my day planner!! It feel odd not knowing what you're working towards!
Here in China I have already been surprised by the lack of notice for holidays, weekend work etc. Even though i thought i was mentally prepared for it.
We are only here for a "six month" contract... i say this because our contract says we're staying til Feb 10, but now that i've talked to more people here, it sounds like we'll be done teaching by at least the beginning of Jan...so i don't know how that affects our leaving.
So if anyone does here something official about holidays (or already knows) I'd also appreciate an update!
Thanks.
anne

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

This Tuesday morning, at around 10 a.m., I was packing my belongings for another outing, this time to Zhuhai and Macau, when the phone rang.
My FAO informed me I was being expected tomorrow for a two-period working stint.
Tomorrow is Wednesday, and until these holidays I used to work on Thursdays and Fridays, but never on Wednesdays!

She grudgingly agreed to send me an email to confirm the latest changes, and to give me a new timetable!
Three timetables in the first 5 weeks on the job!
And every single one broached casually...