Job Discussion Forums

[Cubism]

A mention of the blacklist turned up in a "standard" contract the other day, but not anywhere else. ("If the FT breaches this contract, FT will be blacklisted.")

[Lobster]

It's certainly not a standard clause. Is there a reciprocal clause, "If the Employer breaches this contract, Employer will be blacklisted?" If not, take it out. This seems to be the time of year when the lunatics take out their pens and see what ridiculous requirements and penalties they can slip past the unwary.

Do not accept non-reciprocal clauses.
Do not accept onerous penalties.
Do not accept vague wording.
Do not accept may, might, could or would.
Do not accept potentially, possibly, probably or usually.

Do realize that if an FT breaches, the employer with an operating business, local ties and resources will be inconvenienced. The FT, who has none of these, will be wrecked.

RED

[LeopoldBloom]

You need your previous employers recommendation to work at any other school in China. If it doesn't work out with your employer, for whatever reason, the FT is tantamount to blacklisted in China.

[kev7161]

I know there are crappy schools and language mills out there. I know there are dishonest school leaders looking to rake in all the money they can while ignoring some of the basic needs of teachers and students alike. I know that some schools can and will cut corners when it comes to suitable living quarters for the FT.

HOWEVER, I have worked with some truly unscrupulous and horrid FTs as well in my 7 years of teaching in China. Those that really don't belong in a classroom. Those that bi*ch and moan about anything and everything. Those that show up to work hung over and slovenly. Those that quit contracts because they get a little miffed over every little thing they perceive as wrongs to them and constantly yell at the staff until they do finally quit (the FT, not the staff).

So it's a two-way street here. I don't blame schools for putting in some of these "crazy" terms these days; they're tired of getting screwed over by the needy foreigners. I do agree though that you should go over your contract with a fine-toothed comb and make sure all the clauses are agreeable to you and change wording that concerns you. If the school won't concede on issues that are important to you, then DON'T SIGN THE CONTRACT. Move on and look for something better. If the school blatantly disregards the contract after you've started working, see if you can work things out. If it's impossible, then move on . . . hopefully amicably but we know how that works around here. If slights are just very minor, yet annoying, quibbles, see if you can't put up with them and just finish out your contract so you can move on, hopefully with the school's blessing and reference letter.

[nickpellatt]

I agree with kev7161 here.

I have only ever met and worked with one, possibly two, FT's in China that I would wish to employ if I was a school owner...and both of those would need training and supervision IMO.

In situations and disputes I have witnessed first hand, I often feel the FT is the one in the wrong most of the time...maybe I have just been lucky with my jobs and employers, but I dont think so. I have seen too many foreign teachers with too few skills, little interest in the 'science' of teaching or the nuts and bolts of the English language, and no commitment to their students. These teachers often seem to spend a lot of their time and energy in complaining, making unrealistic demands and pointing fingers at everyone but themselves.

I recently had a different point of view in a thread here with a member pointing his finger at what he thought were dubious employers...but as I know this member personally and am aware of his absolute lack of related qualifications (or desire to obtain them) and know his favourite lesson plans....I cant help but think the employers often walk a greater minefield that the employees do.

[Miles Smiles]

You saw the mention of a blacklist on a "standard" what?

I doubt that there could be a blacklist maintained by any official Chinese agency. The ministry of education entrusts the oversight of foreign experts' affairs to the SAFEA. The good people with whom I have attempted to communicate who work for the SAFEA in Beijing couldn't find their butts with two hands if they tried, much less coordinate themselves with schools to compile a black list.

kev7161 and nickpellatt, I agree with you guys. I've seen real winners in China, people who could easily be dismissed for poor behavior in class and outside of class were they working in the west (assuming, of course, that they could BE hired in the west): "teachers" who play movies during all classes, and who couldn't create a lesson plan if they tried. Some of 'em were actual Ph.D Doctor Teachurs too.

There ARE FAOs that aren't worth the powder that it'd take to blow them to heck too. Luckily, the FTs have more recourse against those FAOs than vice versa. It is much easier for an FT to trash a school and prevent it from even attracting teachers. One negative recommendation on a forum will deter most folks who see it from even inquiring into the school.

[rc81]

[johntpartee]

The vast majority of the foreign teachers I've met wouldn't be able to find ANY work (much less teaching positions) outside of China; well, maybe McDonald's. The few that were competent were still at the mercy of unscrupulous employers, because most of the schools just want a Caucasian face in front of the students. THEY DON'T CARE IF THEY CAN TEACH OR NOT. Many of them don't pay attention to the grades the teachers give the students; I had a situation where a student gave me so much trouble in class that I had him removed and gave him a final grade of zero. Didn't matter, he still got his diploma (and he was majoring in English).