Job Discussion Forums

Lobster · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 9:58 am Post subject:

The more technical query to the OP, without suggesting that it's equivalent to practicing brain surgery without training, is how do you think your friend will be able to perform in these critical areas without training:

Phonetics
Curriculum design
Class control and management
Materials design
Assessment and evaluation
Applied grammar
Learning goals setting and achievement
Multi-level class instruction
etc.

Without at least a rudimentary knowledge of these areas, I don't know how someone could be an effective instructor. The best they could hope for would be a short-term career as a talking white monkey. That may be someone's idea of a good time, but most find it wears thin pretty quickly.

RED

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

There is one very big caveat here, Milarka.

You must be aware of the fact that since July 2006 it has been extremely difficult for South Africans, particularly new applicants, to be given work visas for China. There have been numerous postings all over the Internet and on this site about this matter.

I meant to ask Steppenwolf how he handled the renewal of his visa in China but then again I believe that he is a dual-national and that may be another issue.

But there is also an additional issue and that is one of race or colour. IMHO it remains very difficult for persons of color to obtain decent teaching jobs in China. I have a great friend of your country who is stuck in the far outbacks of Hunan Province, where he has been teaching for six years, very degreed and all, because it has been nearly impossible for him to find another job.

Just my thoughts.

HFG

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

Easy to get a job for your friend. And pretty good ones too btw. It's quite legal to work at private colleges or private uni's in China, and if she's a bit worldly and has read some tips about how to deal with FAO's, she could avoid getting screwed.

She could start at a private college, and try it out. If she likes the job she could try and get a tefl diploma.

Some people are just good teachers. Even if they don't exactly know how to teach, they are able to build a great relationship with their students, and get their points across anyway. Some people might know the theories, but are simply crap at human relations.

So by all means have her come over and see for herself.
It does mean though she'd have to put effort in to get better at teaching all the time, but that goes for all of us.

Dajiang

milarka · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 8

I want to thank everybody for their posts, opinions and trying to help in which ever way. As I said earlier, I am currently teaching in Korea and didn't know what differences there are between teaching here, and teaching in China. From the posts above, it sounds less organised and thus more difficult. Maybe I was just lucky with the hagwon I'm at.

However,

milarka · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 8

Oh, sorry, there was one more thing I wanted to ask: Did most of you go to China first, and then searched for a job, or did you leave your home country with a job and a visa?
And dajiang, I like your attitude. I believe all things are possible if you stay positive and work hard.

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

[/quote]

Phonetics
Curriculum design
Class control and management
Materials design
Assessment and evaluation
Applied grammar
Learning goals setting and achievement
Multi-level class instruction
etc.

I started teaching with an irrelevant degree and no experience and didn't really have a hard time learning the said skills above in the first few weeks. All you need is a little common sense, a strong personality and a love for the children. [quote]

In a few weeks . Really now Very Happy

So right now I'm slaving on morphology, derivations,phonetics and tense aspect and intend to spend the next 3 years continuing to do so and there are people that can learn this all in 2 weeks . Very Happy

Don't make me laugh .

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

The slaving, though worthwhile for becoming intimate with language, more often than not is of little use in the real classroom. Hypothetically speaking, a deep awareness of language should be required in order to teach it. The reality of ESL, however, is that it rarely is. Training teachers, writing text books and research proposals are another matter.

milarka · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 8

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

milarka · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 8

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

well human relationships can go all sorts of places - just look at the pioneer rocket scientist Wernher Von Braun - he seemed to get into good relationships with both the nazis and the yanks.
No I think the term you are looking for is human development (as in both academic and social achievement) - but I guess after 2 weeks this aspect of the job doesn't realy get to shine through.
Try after 2 years of experience in the same school to make wide-sweeping statements on what is required within the elementary classroom (good personality as in creating good human relationships - sure, that whatever it may be sounds positive - but be assured a whole lot of other stuff is needed as well!!) - and then you might realise how important a tool reflection through job experience (and indeed for those lucky enough to have it - specific qualification) is for any teacher in any job.

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

Yes it is possible, but should not be done.

Is that short enough?

The EFL profession does not want you, need you nor appreciate the damage you will inevitably do.
Stay away!