Job Discussion Forums

patsy · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 179 Location: china

I think it sounds like you've done an excellent job and I bet your students have learned a lot and appreciate you. I understand you. I have taught at my lousy school for a year now, and despite many disputes, have tried to at least do most of my classes with integrity, but it is such a thankless job. The FAO totally ignores us and is nasty, the english dept. is the same. It's only for the students that I am still working. Everyone is reminded to stay away from Hunan women's college.

Fiskadoro · Joined: 26 Nov 2004 Posts: 17 Location: China

This happened to me at my first two jobs in China - despite working my ass off, contracts were not renewed after one year for opaque reasons, replaced by someone with less experience / qualifications, etc etc.

In the end it turned out to be a good thing as I kept looking until I found a job that wanted someone to actually teach, and I am now in my third year there.

jeffinflorida · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 3:41 am Post subject:

TW, having working in the US for the better part of 15 or so years I can tell you that the mentality of working in china VS the USA is totally different. The chinese treat ft's like a used car that they just keep around until something newer comes around. I have held 4 full time jobs in china and never really felt like my employer realy ever cared about my well being - and most of the time the true well being of the student or client...

The truth is now I know what a hot chick feels like when dudes just stare at her ass or chest - A PIECE OF MEAT... that's all we are to the chinese, meat, that can easily be replaced and often with a much cheaper and lower grade.

I can only say that you should not take the schools actions personaly or even try to understand them... Some lunkhead made a decision that probabaly had nothing to do with you as a factor...

As someone who has walked out on students ( you know a little of my history...) I can tell you that your first regard should be those students - if you care about them. If you don't care about them then just entertain them with stories from Reader's Digest until you leave and hope that the school pays you all that has been promised...

Good luck what ever happens...

Moon Over Parma · Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 819

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

TW, I'm not buying your Forrest Gump like approach to working in China.

In the province I'm in a person without a bachelor's degree would not be able to work in any college or university, regardless of skin or eyeball color.

Chinese friends of mine in the States are well aware of the prejudices of non ABC CBC toward them. One completely dismissed the idea of ever coming to China for that reason.

I know of one school that employed a Filipina with a dependent child. It was a junior/high school in a bit of an out of the way place. The FAO,when we spoke, was quite happy with her.

In this part of China, the regulations are tightening, salaries and benefits dropping. Unless you happen to have a professional license or skill that somehow distinguishes you from the pack, being overqualified rather than underqualified is the key.

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

Borderline · Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 6

Likening your students to primates most likely did not exactly enhance your prospects of securing a second contract at the same institution:

Mydnight · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 4:11 pm Post subject:

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

HFG,

I find tw to be a rather curious fellow. I figure him for the scion of a Canadian family that owns half of Vancouver Chinatown.

A couple of years ago he first came to my attention on this board when he was complaining about being sacked for his educational background. I sympathize with him. My educational credentials are also unorthodox; however, even in the States, individuals with degrees who are otherwise less qualified often are preferred over more experienced individuals who lack degrees. This is not a problem unique to China.

And he is indulging in the politics of suspicion. He may think that race is the issue but perhaps his training is the real issue. As I said, I know of a Filipina who was gainfully employed as a teacher but not at the college level. And I do know that in these parts, bachelor degree holders are the desired candidates, regardless of one's other qualifications such as experience, dedication, bilingual ability, and so forth.

I do not doubt that some people he encounters may be jealous, envious, hypercritical, etc. because of his CBC status. That is all the more reason that he should have impeccable credentials in other areas.

Those who are qualified by holding less than bachelor's degrees with TEFL certificates are employable here, but not at the college level. So I'm surprised that he was able to even secure his position, but not surprised that he may not be renewable. Others should note his predicament.

I wish him well, as I do you.

Mydnight · Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 12:18 am Post subject:

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

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

Mydnight:

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

Back to the OP for a moment. How should the school/training centre/agency/sausage factory feel if you decide to move elsewhere at the end of the contract, after all they've done (or not) to build a good relationship with you? It's a business and it cuts both ways.
Be as professional as you can in what you do, maintain courteous professional relations with other professionals and cut yourself free of the crap as quick and clean as you can. Clean your shoes at their doorstep and move on.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

First of all, I would like to thank all the kind words of encouragements (clark, Mydnight, HunanForeignGuy to name a few) and offers of help. I am carrying on my lessons and I still plan to help three first-year classes with their play for the English musical drama competition. I had an interview with a joint venture school at a college in Changchun yesterday and it went well.

When I asked one of my colleagues today, he told me that apparently he had not been officially asked to return. So, I guess maybe I am not the only one left in the dark.

Tofuman, as usual, you like to nitpick on my lack of a degree. For the record, I was NEVER fired in Dalian. I had finished my contract and was not asked to come back. Before you go smearing crap about someone, make sure you know the FACTS.

As a great song says, I will survive.