Job Discussion Forums

[chinesearmy]

can anyone shed some light in the differences between teaching in universities and language schools?

in terms of teaching, lesson preparation and homework etc.

has anyone taught in both? based on your experience, which is better?

[nickpellatt]

Ive just started a thread with a similar theme to this one...

I cant tell you about the university experience, although someone has suggested in my thread that my college experience is pretty similar to a Uni.
Im interested myself as while Uni's win hands down for somethings, I am not sure they do in terms of the teaching, which is my main motivation.

I have recently finished in a training centre, so I can tell you about my experience there...it may or may not be typical of all training centres though!

I taught adult students in very small classes, typically 6-8 students per class. 95% of students were well motivated and keen to learn, and the small classes meant I was able to try and work on my teaching skills, and was able to closely monitor students in an effort to really give them a chance to improve.

The small classes and the frequent contact with them (I saw each class for 90 mins, 5 times a week) meant I was able to really work closely with them, and really try to influence their study habits etc. I was also able to try and use the teaching approaches I had learnt on my Trinity course, and I also had a lot of chance to experiment with new lesson plans and teaching ideas.

I could be wrong, but based purely on my college experience with larger classes and fewer contact hours per student, Im not sure I could take the same approach with an average Uni job?

The downside is the amount of time spent with each class per week does require more lesson planning and prep. I actually saw two classes a day for 90 mins each class, and when I first started, lesson planning was quite time consuming. This contrasted sharply with my college experience (and perhaps typical Uni work).

At college, I taught 3 grades, but I only saw each class once a week. Each of the grades had the same lesson, so I basically had to prepare only 3 lessons a week rather than the 10 I had to do in the training school.

Im not sure, but I think I prefer training centres based on my limited experience and the impression that I have of some Uni work. I had college students I wouldnt have recognised after a full term, yet in my small training school classes I was able to develop good rapport within a week with most students.

Of course, I could be wrong...I havent had a lot of response in my thread asking for info on Uni teaching yet....but if its anything like my college gig, it isnt something I would want to do again as I found the actual teaching unsatisfying (although easier)

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[chinesearmy]

[LongShiKong]

My experience echoes nickpellatt's. Teaching small classes is far more rewarding. Although I only teach 13 hrs/wk at this private, I need 10 different plans most of which I'd developed in previous terms along with supplementary resources. Even still, I figure I'm spending the same if not less time prepping than if I were teaching 2 or 3 uni courses from scratch (i.e.: useless text or none at all)

[Non Sequitur]

I feel a uni or college job is the best start point for teaching in China especially if accom is provided on campus.
A year down the track you can look at the language school option.
The downside of college uni is lack of motivation of students and often crap texts.
If you've seen Chinese teachers at work in the college uni setting you understand the lack of motivation of the students. The locked down classroom desk layout makes ESL difficult.
Student passivity and 50+ students in uni classes makes you dig deep as a teacher and find ways of motivating and engaging the class.
Nick P and the EC Cleric have nailed the issues pretty well I feel.

[Teatime of Soul]

You might want to read up here:

http://middlekingdomlife.com/guide/educational-milieu-china.htm