Job Discussion Forums

Susie · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 390 Location: PRC

I saw this information published recently:-

Only the qualified can teach
Latest Updated by 2003-05-10 15:25:24
Starting next month, teachers in South China's Guangdong Province will have to pass examinations, New Express News reported yesterday.
Only those who pass the examinations will be certified and allowed to teach. More than 600,000 teachers at professional schools, high schools, primary schools and kindergartens in the province will take the examinations organized by the Provincial Bureau of Education.

Wen chuandao, director of Human Resources Department of the Provincial Bureau of Education, said the move aimed to further improve the province's education system.
http://www.newsgd.com/news/gdsociety/200305100070.htm

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I think that article refers to CHINESE English teachers.

In CHINA DAILY, mention was made some time ago of an increasing oversupply of English teachers; old ones with insufficient training and qualifications must pass exams to be hired again, and it is expected that many will fail due to inertia, thus vacating posts that will be available to young university graduates.

Since maybe 2002, university graduates are finding it increasingly difficult to land themselves a decent job.

Also, class sizes may in the near future be reduced to spread work over more available teachers.

quanxie · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 91 Location: The Sticks

There are too many tests for Chinese people. I do not think it will improve the quality of the local teachers here.. Just another way to make some money... Maybe they should test the Laowai... Most of them I know or have met, have no experience teaching..

Phil

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I don't think there are too many test; rather students simple-mindedly assume they can rehearse and rehearse in order to pass - a test that is a verbatim version of one or several of their lessons.
But a test should be about using skills in a siutation that's unpredictable and that has not been rehearsed.

Ger · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 334

In the Chinese teaching market, as far as I can figure, it doesn't matter, in teams of earning potential, if you are qualified to teach or not (there are some people who never really wanted a teaching qualification although one is reassuring to a teacher who doesn't know how great he really is!) have a degree or not.

I mean the State has more or less fixed the price for foreign teachers, even if you have three degrees of glory and are the president of your country, you'll only get around RMB5,000/18 hours zuo-you.

For your own advancement as an individual it is a good idea to be as educated as you can be. Learning never did anyone any harm - as far as I know, but how would I know.