Job Discussion Forums

[Sonnet]

Age shouldn't be a problem, not if she understands enough about teaching EFL, running a school, and has the interpersonal skills needed.

I'm a DoS, and some of my teachers have been 15 years my senior; we haven't had any authority issues.

If you're not happy with the way she's doing the job, then, as others have suggested, talk to her about it. Most of the DoSes I've spoken to have agreed that it's far too easy to become too distant when you first get promoted - it's a big change, and can be difficult to manage. A school needs communication, and if you're ever at a point where you don't have that, then sniping ain't the way to fix it.

[Justin Trullinger]

I think age may be a factor, but needn't be- and it's important not to let her age (which she can't help) become the scapegoat for other things that she can help, and perhaps should. After all, she isn't going to get older any faster than the rest of us, so if age is the problem, it ain't getting solved.

But finding time (I vote for privately) to open a conversation with her about what you would hope could go differently seems fair to me. Especially if you find a way to help things go that way, rather than criticise the fact that they haven't.

I must admit, though, your tone put me off a little. She got the promotion; you didn't. It's her job to make decisions- she shouldn't be unreachable to your concerns, and, if she's good, may even appreciate them. But it's her job to make some decisions you may not like.

I realize that I may be reading you wrong. But you're references to what you're "not going to let" happen, and to the fact that she's 18 years younger than you, make me wonder if you're thinking that you should be her boss. And maybe you should be, but you aren't.

I've been director of an English program for about three years now- and a fair number of people who have worked for me have been considerably my seniors. Older than my parents, in some cases. I've also, prior to this job, had bosses considerably younger than myself. Age really needn't be an issue- but when I've seen it be, there's often a sour grapes factor.

I once had a teacher who continually commented that she found it surprising that she was working for someone in their twenties. THis was made stranger by the fact that I was 32 when I hired her. Needless to say, this wasn't the easiest, or most productive work experience for either of us, and when her contract came up for renewal...didn't happen.

You don't have a lot to gain by making her age an issue. She's 23, which, last time I checked, makes her an adult; no age related reason she can't be the boss. She's got 2 and a half years teaching experience, all within the organisation. Many DOSes start out with less, especially in certain teaching situations.

So if she's really incompetent, address that. The age/experience issue is really a red herring.


Best,
Justing

[the new guy]

/\ i guess u didn't read all of what i wrote.

HERE'S AN IDEA.......go back and read that I am not able to be the DoS, nor would i want to, because I am not a citizen of the country or able to communicate 100% with clients. IS IT REALLY THAT HARD TO UNDERSTAND??I'm not going to waste my time quoting what i wrote.

I'm not jealous at all. I wouldn't want the job if it was given to me.

[Sonnet]

You... need to be a citizen of the country you're working in to be a DoS? Sorry for any ignorance on my part, but that's the first time I've heard of such a situation in an EFL school - which country do you happen to be in?

And, as for being able to help you communicate with clients, isn't that the school director, or sales/marketing department's job?

Sorry, but that just sounds like no DoS position I've ever heard of...

[william wallace]

In the big corporate Wally Street and English Last, you blend into the religiosity of mission statement; in the Ma and Pa operations, you don't get that, but rather, you have dominating personalities-sometimes they're good, other times.. Yuck!

Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely

We've all seen this saying,but in the Ma and Pa setup, that quasi-power really affects those that had little to none before. I suggest you test the solidarity of your disenfranchised comrades and together go to the new owner. At 23 going to her.....is a waste of time.Prior to going to Mr. 49% make sure the complaints are not petty and are unanimous.

[Justin Trullinger]

[ktodba]

Sorry, but I'm struggling to understand what your real point is here. I once had a friend who said to me that he was self employed and even he thought his boss was an idiot. If your DoS is 23 then it shouldn't be surprising if they make mistakes - i was had a similar situation where Mrs 49% was telling me to operate a certain way - once I became secure in the job i could disregard this but not at first and consequently i made mistakes that i learnt from.

Do you want to continue working for the school but don't like the current direction ?
You say you don't want to be DoS but maybe you could help students and teachers with your experience of life etc. When I first became DoS at a young age a mentor would have been very welcome, I'm now older, wiser and grateful for the mentoring that exists where I work.

If you don't want to be DoS then I suggest you ask yourself how you can create a positive working environment by working with your DoS and owner or if that doesn't appeal then maybe you want to look at finding a job that suits you better.

[Cognition]

Sounds to me like New Guy is both sexist and ageist. If this new DOS is only 23 and is 18 years his junior then that makes New Guy 41. So, what is a 41-year-old doing working at a language school (especially one with such low standards)? Hardly set the world on fire, did he?

[the new guy]

/\ wow you can add and subtract. FYI... I changed the numbers around.

and what is it of your business that I am teaching English at my age? not being 41. What are your statistics??

sexist and ageist?? whatever..... You don't even know if I am really a male or female. REMEMBER,.... this is the internet.


if you want to start a personal attack on someone you don't know..... you are sadly wasting your time and won't get a rise out of me.

done

[ls650]

[gaijinalways]

As the poster said, it's the Internet. Maybe this poster is a new guyness ?

[Glenski]

[naturegirl321]

Seems like there's a couple of issues going on here.

OP, you said that you can be the DOS because you're not a citizen of the country. SOunds familar, connections mean a lot in this business. If that 's a reason why they won't make you a DOS, simply put up with it or move on. I vote to move on.

ABout age, those who are younger are more familar with the new teaching methods. As opposed to the I say, you repeat that was common in the 70s.

Also experience, more than age counts. Going along with that is the type of experience. IF teacher A has 10 yeras in the same middle rate language school. And teacher B has six years, but two at top unis, lanugage schools, and secondary schools, I would say that teacher B is more qualified. Same goes for qualifications.

OP, seems that you're suffering from the connection bubble. YOu don't have as many connections as a citizen so you're left out of the loop. Same thing is happening to me, which is why I've handed in my notice and decided to move on.

[Cognition]

[Cognition]