Job Discussion Forums

[ppzz70]

I'm considering opening up an English school catering mostly to Chinese and Koreans (both on-line and classroom). A few questions...
how is the English learning environment in Beijing currently compared to other parts of China?
what are the biggest challenges to catering to Chinese students (especially in Beijing)?
for anyone with experience teaching in Beijing, what did you find most unexpected, pleasant or otherwise?
Thanks,
Phil

[China.Pete]

"What are the biggest challenges to catering to Chinese students (especially in Beijing)?" -- Phil

The biggest challenge in my experience is that, once they've forked over their money, they feel that all the hard work is done. Common complaints (along with their presumed meanings) are "I can't understand the teacher" (he/she was speaking to us in English), or "We'd like to communicate more in class" (he/she tried to make US speak English). Nearly all have had extensive experience with the grammar-translation approach to language learning. Their lack of success with this method to date does not ordinarily shake their faith in its absolute efficacy. Therefore, any attempts to force more modern learning methods and materials on them could result in a loss of cliental.

[englishgibson]

Right on China Pete!
Other parts of China aren't much defferent, in my opinion.

[KES]

[englishgibson]

With all due respect to ya KES, stop trollin'..you know the answer ...but since you might have a "tandem" on here somewhere ...i'll give ya a lill tidbit to fill yor empty stomach..gov officials in China often are interested in foreign owned/run companies and that especially with regards to education, and then there's that "true" Chinese competition..they are hungry too, so why should a laowai take "the bread" away from them

Peace to ya KES
and
cheers and beers to the OP's new venture

[cj750]

, like KES, wonder at this also as many successful schools in china are promoted as a foreign owned and operated schools..such as David's school in Changchun ..started with the help of some ladies group. It would seem that many foreigners who own school..such as Future school in Dalian..enjoy the benefit of being known as a foreigner own school...

[viovio]

Recruit me! I can teach English and Spanish.

I haven zero experience outside of Chile, but I think that most problems teachers have is because of a lack of support on the part of the administration.
If teachers feel that their bosses listen and consider their opinions, they are much happier and confident to teach.
The number of students is also fundamental for the success of a language course. It would be very difficult to (effectively)teach to more than 20 in a beginners class.

[China.Pete]

"It would be very difficult to (effectively) teach... more than 20 in a beginners class." -- Viovio

Hope you're not planning on working at a university, where 60 plus students may be more like the norm. Of course, by the time they get into a university, the students aren't supposed to be beginners.

[william wallace]

nil