Job Discussion Forums

jianzhou65 · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 16 Location: china

Hi everyone,
just have one question, do you guys, the english teachers in china in private language ctrs require to host english corners for free or is it part of the contract require to ? and if one can't attend or host the corner, is it legal for the ctr deduct the pay from the salary? like 75 yuan? Evil or Very Mad

Second, what is the best way to host an english corner when all the students are from all walks of life from very basic to intermediate level of english proficiency??? Surprised

hope you guys can give me some ideas to host interesting corners....Thanks in advance Smile

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

At my last school, I was assigned english corners as a way of meeting my 20 hours per week of teaching. So yes, one hour of EC did = one teaching hour. I was a bit surprised that the school didn't cancel the english corner when my teaching hours went over 20, and it became easy overtime for me. Other teachers at that school have reported the same thing. I found it a break from the more structured teaching that I was doing, and enjoyed it very much.

I used to prepare topics for discussion, and prepare a lot of secondary material. (I still teach like this, BTAS). Once I got a few people talking however, discussions ranged far and wide. If you're ever stuck for something to talk about, get them to offer topics for your next EC.

skyline5k · Joined: 26 May 2003 Posts: 57 Location: Tangshan, Hebei

EC's are an easy hour. I've yet to prepare for a topic, only because EC's tend to attract the die-hard English groupies. You just go in, introduce yourself, or if they already know you, ask "what's new?" They usually have an answer. If not, draw from some previously taught lesson. If you've been teaching for awhile, I'm sure you've got some lined up in memory.

Redfivestandingby · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 1076 Location: Back in the US...

I work in a private language center and I'm not required to attend these, thank God!!!

For purposes of Chinese learning English, it's actually best if there are no NET's present. Usually the NET is speaking most of the time, with Chinese asking the ocassional, often repetitive, question. It's better if they would pair up or join discussion groups.

Our English Corner operates quite well without a foreignor. They gather for 3 hours and actually practice speaking and listening English. Why would I take that away from them?

If you enjoy English Corner then that's great. Don't worry about providing material. They'll ask you questions. I just can't think of doing this week after week, same questions, different faces.

Have fun!!!

jianzhou65 · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 16 Location: china

Thankz guys! Smile

Seems you guys are luckier than me, actually I do enjoy co-hosting the EC but sometime it eats into my personal time and the headmistress actually plans to deduct 75 from our salary if she have to find a replacement or herself to co-host the EC. I wonder whether she as the legal right to do so as it is not stated in the contract.. Mad

cheekygal · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 1987 Location: China, Zhuhai

Have you checked your contract? Is there anything stated about you being obliged to attend the EC and in case if you don't you are to get your salary deducted? If there is no such thing, then may be you should have a word with your director. We have EC in KFC every Sunday [sort of promotion], but we don't get paid for it as it is free for the children as well. And it's absolutely volunteer-based, most of the time our employer and his wife do it. And of course we have been asked if we would like to come once in a while, but none ever tried to impose it on us...
So, I say, go for the contract regulations Smile

-cheekybabe

Just a guy · Joined: 06 Oct 2003 Posts: 267 Location: Guangxi

I like the English corner at my middle school, since the newness & novelty of it wore off; we now get only the kids serious about learning their English. The first month was a joke, too many who just stood around listening to the few who spoke & Many just saying hi, I'm fine & you? & what is my name, now the couple dozen who show are becoming comfortable & actual discussions are being had. I’m also seeing who the shy ones are, how much they know & how to push them into talking more, they wouldn't be there if they weren't interested.

& for me, it is In my contract that I attend three times a week, though the school I'm at is quite open to me missing a day here & there.

I almost always bring some flash cards, picture books, newspapers from home or personal pictures with me to break the ice & occupy the minds of those who are still to shy to speak.

I often wish it was open to the town folks, our school isn't too keen on letting outsiders in

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

"English Teacher Cornered" as somebody on here called it. It has been part of the deal on my contracts. 15 hours a week PLUS EC which means no overtime and I suppose they could dock pay for misssing it. Last term this became a SARS casualty.

MonkeyKing · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 96 Location: Beijing

We as foreign teachers were expected to 'perform' regularly at our school's English corner, (just as the students and Chinese teachers did)...give a talk, sing, play an instrument, whatever...usually the vainer/more extrovert teachers were happy to take on these duties, and allow the rest of us to slink around at the back or not turn up at all, but then management got tough and started expecting us all to 'do a turn'. The horror, the horror...