Job Discussion Forums

[tw]

So as things look now, I will probably not be back at this college/university next school year. No, the school hasn't given me the official/final word yet. However, the feeling I have is that the Foreign Language School is probably pushing the FAO to find a white-faced FT to replace me.

With just few weeks left to go in the term and possibly my contract, should I still give a dang? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE most of my students, especially my first-year university and college students. They, or most of them to be exact, are the students I've always wanted to teach and the reason I came to China: enthusiastic, attentive, well-behaving, and respectful. I have always tried my best to keep the lessons educational and interesting, and I wouldn't want them to get anything less than 100% efforts from me. However, it's hard to want to continue when I hear the FAO guy telling me that they might end my classes early because my RPF expires a couple weeks before the term ends.

Lesson plans seem meaningless now, and I have yet to go through last week's writing assignments. It just doesn't seem like I should really care anymore. I think the main reason is that I feel angry. I've put so much time and energy into this job: spending hours planning lessons, spending hours marking writing assignments, going to the English Club every week, while (from what students have told me) some of my colleagues show up in class unprepared or in the case of one of my colleagues, been showing DVD's probably for the last God-only-knows-how-many-weeks. Writing assignments? Some of his writing class students told me he had only given ONE writing assignment since their classes began seven weeks ago.

So again, should I still care? Anyone else in the same boat as I am now?

[lostinasia]

It's entirely your choice. Issues of self respect, professionalism, and committing to what began come to mind. That being said, I'm not returning to my current school and to be honest, I don't care either. But, I do my job. If you don't do your job 100% then never begin. I know how you feel ... only you can decide what you do at the end of the day.

[Yu]

I think it is a common feeling that when you think you are not going to be back, then what difference does it make. It is really hard to stay motivated. You would rather just not put in so much effort.
It is your call. But personally, I would put in the effort, or at least try.

[therock]

Forget caring!! Seems like the school doesn't care about you. Put your efforts into finding another job.

[mondrian]

I know how you feel!
The University admins are a load of s**t; the "leaders" are in political worlds of their own and only appear from their plush offices or black German cars when there is a problem.
But when you face your classes of students, that you have now taught for 1 to 2 semesters, you "turn up the gas". You have established student/teacher relationships that should mean something; and these guys you won't let down. IMHO

[adamsmith]

When faced with a similiar situation, especially after the way the school had treated me with all the standard little problems we all face, during my first year in China, I had to ask myself the same question. What I ultimately decided was to not do anything for the administration other than what I was specifically required to do (and then I did it with minimal effort) but I still continued my classes in the same professional manner and with the same desire to teach the kids that I had from the beginning. I would continue to do this, unless I discovered that the reason the school was not asking me back was the students giving the bad reviews and not appreciating what I had done for them all semester - even if it involved them doing some of their own work and not spoon feeding them everything.

[clark.w.griswald]

Sorry to hear that tw. You seem to be one of the most committed, roll up your sleeves types of teacher on this forum. I think that it is going to be difficult for the school to find a better replacement but as you say in their eyes a 'white face' is better - right!!?

Shame for the students too. They are losing a known teacher with a good track record for whoever comes along.

As far as caring, no I don't think that you should let it get to you too much as it won't help you. I am lucky to be a whitey myself so I haven't personally faced this sort of situation, but if your record to date is anything to go on then I am sure that you will find an equally good job elsewhere.

Good luck.

[Anda]

You have to take the good with the bad, you apparently have had a Chinese parent but you are getting paid well because of where you were born. The Chinese don't accept you are one of them because of your pay rate being higher but might also be jealous of your student popularity due to your own work effort. Some students however might be putting the knife into you as you seem to make them study.

I found having worked in South Korea for eight and a half years that in general Korean English teachers in the public school system prefer not to be shown up as inferior in teaching methodology to a foreign teacher. Students however for the most appreciate a good teacher once they can see that they are making headway under your guidance.

So like some of the other comments I think it is important to just be yourself and keep teaching your own way. Also remember that when you actually prepare your own material that you yourself benefit from it as you become a more confident teacher and this helps as you get older, to stay employable.

Best of luck anyway, whatever happens!

[malu]

I'm counting the days (14 left!) until I leave my present job. I have both teaching and managerial responsibilities and frankly I couldn't give a fig about the management paperwork now. My own boss couldn't organise an orgy in a brothel and I'm fed up with making excuses for her.

However, my last class is tomorrow and that is going to be a good one. It isn't the fault of my students that I'm leaving and they will get 101% effort right up until the end of the class. They start their exams the following day and I want them to do their best. For them, not for the idiocracy who employ me.

[Steppenwolf]

You have to become a bit thick-skinned here because you as a waidiren from the big waiguo part of the world count for very little indeed. I am sorry for you because I know how it feels although my interactions with most employers were on the whole friendly.
It's just that down at the planning stage you are regarded as a nonentity, a person with no volition of your own, disposable and replaceable like a machine.

Your best antidote is to rely on good student relationships.

[Mydnight]

tw,

Over the months and years, whatnot, I have noticed your posts to show the words of an experienced, enlightened, and high quality teacher. You should continue to think this no matter what some stupid school says...use your experience with your dealings with Chinese schools and then use rational thinking. It has NOTHING to do with you. It's their greed that will drive you away.

Don't let it get you down. You should take my stance on interviewing with schools: "I am here to interview YOU to see if I want to work here. You are not the one doing the interviewing."

You already know your worth. Don't let some stupid school change that. As for your "anybody in my boat" thing...I go through this every term. It only depends on if it is earlier or later in the term that I begin to have these feelings. It usually corresponds to how difficult the admin people make it on me to be a good teacher. The school I'm in now, it's nearly impossible, the pay isn't the best, and they have already made it very clear that I don't matter at all and I'm just the random foreigner; hence, I don't care much anymore.

See my "games for I don't care anymore classes" thread.

[Anda]

"Over the months and years, whatnot, I have noticed your posts to show the words of an experienced, enlightened, and high quality teacher."


I think the above sums up what the rest of us here on Dave's think of you as a teacher and person also, so as Mydnight said you shouldn't let them get you down!

[dave_merk]

It's pretty ridiculous the way they treat Asian-Americans (or Asian-Brits, or Asian-Canadians, or whatever) over here, I think. A good teacher is a good teacher and it shouldn't have to do with what color their face is. Pretty awful, TW, you seem like a good guy. I say have fun with your next few classes and leave the place on a high note. Look around for a better place.

I say this only out of shock and not in any patronizing or condescending way: it must be hard as hell to be an FT in China and not be white. I know how weird that sounds, but it seems like it's true.

[vikuk]

[HunanForeignGuy]

TW,

I just recently faced the same situation that you did.

First of all, as many of the previous posters have written, you definitely come across as a motiviated, caring, involved teacher -- without a doubt.

Second, if you need help in securing another position, I will do whatever I can in my limited way to assist you.

Third, Mydnight is perfectly correct. Let the past go. Focus on the future -on getting a new job, on a making a decision, on straddling the hurdles and hoops, etc. Do the polite minimum and nothing more because whatever you do, your kind actions will not change what appears to be the inevitable. In New York business talk, it's called "cut your losses and run (at the end of the contract)".

This is a situation that most of us who have been in China a while have faced. It is very, very unpleasant and please, as another post wrote in different words but with the same meaning, do NOT let this affect your self-esteem and self-worth.

Move on mentally, do your time, get a new job and then just leave. Otherwise, make yourself as scarse as you can and do just what you have to.

Keep us all posted. My thoughts are with you.


HFG