Job Discussion Forums

[haopengyou]

Why are foreign teachers sometimes not respected? I have found from experience that it is human nature to think that a person who does not speak your language - cannot communicate with you - is not as smart as you are. I have observed this in the U.S. also with "natives" trying to communicate with new immigrants. I have observed this in many situations in China. Then after I learned how to speak Chinese I ran into this considerably less than before. Another global trait...when someone who does not understand your language cannot seem to understand you, you should repeat yourself, only talk a lot more loudly and make wild, unrelated gestures.

Also, does your school allow you to give grades? Some of the schools I taught at in China would not allow me to give grades...that made it really difficult.

Finally, realize that 13-14 year olds are not quite human yet. They have passed out of the phase of being simple and cute and are dwelling in the twilight zone for a few years, until they join the human race again. It is not your fault...it is the nature of fallen man

[Marcoregano]

[haopengyou]

more likely each will consider the other to be "not too bright"...that is my conclusion based on watching people and being the person who couldn't speak the language.

[zorro (4)]

If two guys meet in the street? Perhaps not as random as this. More like if there is a purpose for communicating and one of them is in the other's country. I know lots of English people who feel like this. I know lots of English teachers who feel like this. I've even heard teachers before or after teaching elementary students say;

'I've got / just had the thickies.'

Obviously, this is designed for shock tactics, the same as throwing random swear words in is, but it was funny. But wrong! Don't try it at home.

[gaijinalways]

[Salverston]

One thing I am astonished about is that no one has talked about bringing the parents in. True, this is a language institute. True, the parents are paying good money for their kids education, but what would the parents say if they really knew their children are acting so horribly?

I have taught both in language institutes and academic schools and I have found that if you have problems with students you must bring the parents in on the solution.

In fact, there are times my approach with the parents gets to be pretty aggressive, with the knowledge of the director/administrator, basically

"Look, you have an intelligent child, but you must be aware that you are paying very good money for your child to get a good education, but s/he is doing nothing except cause problems in the class (then bring up specific incidents). I think it would be best if your child understand from you how important this class is, or else we should change to a different group."

Of course, the key here for me is I am teaching a pretty high profile program, and I have a good reputation, and I always have very specific incidences, the more embarrassing for the parent to hear the better, to tell. It is one thing to say "Andres was disruptive" it is another to say "Andres had his pant leg rolled up, his leg across the top of the desk and he was cutting the hairs on his leg with a pair of scissors. Here are the scissors I confiscated from him when he would not stop."

I have used that approach several times, and it has never failed to end with the child staying in class, but having a much different attitude after the parents had a chat.

Anyway, good luck.

[steviok85]

Some more interesting tips, especially from Leslie. Even though I can't bare the hours leading up to the class, it is comforting to know that I only have to teach it 11 more times.
In response to Salverston, I feel that one kid has brought the class down since September. She drags others down with her. Whenever she leaves to 'go to the toilet', or when I send her out, there is a relative hush in the air.
I have told those higher up about her, but the lady who was teaching the girl last year said that when she used to phone her mother it was a pointless task. The girl is a spoilt brat, easily the nastiest and most spoilt kid out of the 500 or so I have had in the last few years. I have heard that her elder brother is even more of a handful.
The Director will never have parents brought in because to her it is ALWAYS the teacher's fault and, besides, a student is more important than a teacher. It's the mind of a businesswoman.
However, I would like this girl's mother to see her student's book which is absolutely crammed with anti-me graffitti and doodles. Maybe then she will realise what she has been paying for over the last seven months and sort the girl out.
On Monday, I had a class relating to 'At the doctor's' where the word 'diarrhoea' cropped up. Of course, when I wrote the translation on the board the nasty and spoilt girl said, in a flat tone: 'You are diarrhoea'. Oh my- the temptation to go and throttle the brat. The 21 year old economics student also takes great delight in sniggering along with the brat. I think (hope) she will turn out to be a big loser. I have to work 11 hours a day in this school and I choose (want) to put all my energy into these classes- for a 21 year old sh#t stirrer who is almost as bad as the kids.
On we move and so forth. . .

[zorro (4)]

[Otterman Ollie]

An interesting thread so far and quite a common one. You have had a number of helpful answers but it would seem to me at least (casual observer) that the director of this establishment has a conflict of interests, esp as having taught for such a long time. Just what camp does she reside in business woman or teacher? Are her methods based on sound teaching principles that are contempoary or is she just in it for the money and you are the lamb to the slaughter?
If you do nothing with all these replies, I think your first course of action should be to observe your peers and see if your situation is unique.
Finally are you working at a "language school" or something that is more like the real deal?

[steviok85]

In response to the previous two posts.
I have been teaching for nearly two years.
I'm certainly not a lamb to the slaughter. Sure, my Boss wants to make money but she always wants to teach people English. She had had a tough twenty years in a state school before setting up this private language school and her primary motivation WAS to teach people English. I am working in a professional place. I have learned more from my Boss than anybody else in my life, and the fact that she works 12 hours a day to guide her teachers and teach them how to teach confirms that she has good intentions.
But she is sometimes inconsistent in what she says. When I mentioned discipline problems two months ago, she said it is the teacher's fault 90% per cent of the time. A few weeks ago she said it is ALWAYS the teacher's fault. It makes me feel quite inadequate.
When I told another lady 'higher' than me today, she said the kids (this girl) are playing up because the 'sun is shining'. If she thinks it's my fault- I would rather she just say it than fob me off with 'the sun is shining' rubbish. Or why not just help me- telephone the damn girl's mother and get her to see her student's book in which she has probably done two exercises in seven months.

[spiral78]

The bottom line is that you cannot please all of the people all of the time. This student is not likely to change, and you should do everything you can to put this in perspective, both in your own mind, and in the mind of your boss.

If your DOS is as supportive as you say, she is not going to treat you horribly if you simply tell her that you have not been as successful as you would like with this one specific situation. I would touch base with her on the issue regularly, like maybe bi-weekly, not to go on and on, but to consider possible strategies. This is legit teacher development.

Then, do your best and try to let it go.

We can offer strategies and advice, but because we do not teach in the same context as you, we are very likely to be off target.

For example, most western schools do NOT support drill as an effective way to teach and learn language. However, I am aware that some Slavic and Asian learners highly prefer it, as it fits their ideas of how knowledge is transferred. If you ultimately transfer to a different region, you may well find that many of the 'ideal' teaching focuses you've learned will not be accepted.