Job Discussion Forums

jimoin · Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 455 Location: Dalian

I'm having to deal with a Chinese assistant teacher who is a control freak. She's so hyper tense and serious in class, it just kills the atmosphere for me and makes the lesson a real chore. Every time I teach with her I feel like it's an observation. But the worst thing is she gets me to do menial tasks - even asks me to give out homework to the students (which the CTs invariably do). I don't understand why she needs me to do it and or can't do it herself. In the school I'm at I'm told that CTs are equal to the FT and no one is superior over the other. It feels disrespectful how she expects me to do these menial things that other CTs usually do. What do you guys think? It doesn't help that we have a personality clash already - she even told me she is a control freak and if I am we won't get on. I'm okay for her to help out with class but don't appreciate her trying to take it over or worse treat me as a subordinate. Am I overreacting?

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

Buy her some flowers and a box of chocolates.
Sometimes it's better not to swim against the current.
Let us know how it works out.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

Other than doing nothing, let me give you my "Four Choices" (Something akin to Mao's "Four Olds.") for most cases like the one you're in:

1. Accept the situation as it is including your role in what has become a co-created reality.
2. Change your feelings about the situation.
3. Attempt to change the other party.
4. Terminate the relationship.

jimoin · Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 455 Location: Dalian

Thanks guys. Nick - in fact I've been with the company for a year already though no this branch. No other CT expects us to do those kinds of things, including at this branch. Did I tell you that she told me herself she is a control freak? If it was a class without a CT I'd have nothing against giving out homework. I just don't like it being expected of me. She got a student to give out some homework and me to give out the rest. What's up with that? It seems I'm equal to a student who she can push around, in her eyes.

cj750nomad · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 252 Location: Beijing and

When she makes such a request, "non-confrontational passive resistance" as a response is, in my opinion, the best move.

You can come up with your own but maybe something like this:

1. make like you don't hear her
2. take the task and then re assign it to a student nearest you.
3. continue as if nothing has happen.
4. if she mentions it, then just make a guttural sound and if ask again on another occasion, repeat steps 1 to 3.

jibbs · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 452

What is involved in giving out homework? What are some other menial tasks?

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

If I get a co-teacher which I haven't had yet here in China I would do as I used to do in Korea. Before I start teaching with one I give them the choice of being the lead teacher who tells the assistant exactly what to do and say but also have to prepare the lesson material for the lessons. This or the assistant teacher who does exactly as told and has no say in the leasson at all.

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

Unless the FAO insists on it, I wouldn't put up with it.

In your situation I would bring it down to their level. Make the CT lose face in front of the co-workers and students. This is as simple as "could you repeat that please?" and "I'm not sure what word you are trying to use, could you spell it out for me?".

Another thing you could do is hand out your homework at the beggining of the class before the CT even has a chance to get the foot in the door.

You have to realise that when you give the Chinese an inch they take a mile and still ask for a receipt! Play their game at your level.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

Jimoin - are you working for Aston (you've written about them in another thread). You write that Aston management understand the FT - so surely you should be taking this problem to your management.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

Whether or not she is a control freak or not, she seems to have a self-esteem problem. She gives a student part of the task, and then you the other part? She is communicating that she is your superior in an effort to keep her face. In other words she is worthy by comparison. You could play it two ways, the first being solve the problem and the second being put her in her place. I vote for the first.

Instead of having the students try to figure out which is the good teacher and which is the bad teacher, try to show them that they have two good teachers. Build up your 'assistant' or co-teacher or whatever her title is, with compliments. Ask for her opinion in front of students. Don't be too deferential though, it's ok to disagree politely. I think if you can make her feel that you value her opinion or her skills or whatever, she will be less inclined to demean you. A good marriage between the two teachers will be better for the students as well.

On the other hand, if this fails after a reasonable time, you must demand that she be 'reassigned'.

jimoin · Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 455 Location: Dalian

Yep I am taking it up with management but first was getting some advice from the crowd here on how to proceed and whether I'm over-reacting.

kungfucowboy83 · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 479

if i ever have to work with someone i either split it the way anda said or i divide it up time wise, i am in total control from x to y they are in total control of y to z.

if you take it up with her bosses then you better be absolutely sure they will split you up otherwise it's going to make things much worse, she will probably want revenge.

mgafunnell · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 89

don't take this gig too seriously. face it, you are the smiling native speaker and that is what you are paid for. if she wants to do your job for you than so be it.

Russell123 · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 237

If she is your assistant teacher, then by definition she should be doing what you say. I defer to the CT in those classes where they do most of the work and I just swoop in for some oral English practice, but otherwise its your class and you are the boss in that class.

Good advice here already.

I once had to kick an assistant teacher out of class for repeatedly trying to take over the class, translating everything I said, etc.

I told the AT, "You should have your own class, not be just an assistant teacher." She saved face and we stayed on friendly terms. No stress.

I told my manager I didn't want to work with her again and no problem.