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80daze · Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 118 Location: China

I've been working for a language center that sends me to teach at several different primary schools every week. Now at the other two schools I have no problems but at one school they complain constantly but they make no sense!

They gave me a book to teach by another language center that teaches at their school but would not let me watch their class or speak to them even though they complained that my class wasn't like theirs.

They didn't give me or the students the books or materials for six weeks and complained constantly that I wasn't teaching it. (I was supposed to have it at the beginning of term and at the beginning of every week thereafter).

They complained i was /wasn't doing enough/to much reading, writing, spelling, speaking, pairwork, groupwork, roleplay, listening and homework.

They even complained (this week) that I spent to much time marking homework saying 3 minutes for 40 students was to long (I do it on the board with them)

Finally they cut the lessons from this term from 3 times a week (last term) to twice a week and expect me to cover everything in the book (should be five times a week!)

It's not just me other teachers are getting the same crap there no matter what we do they complain even if it's what they say they wanted.

Anyway I'm leaving at the end of this term just want to know if anyone else has had to deal with unreasonable schools.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

A little confused here. Who exactly is complaining -- your employer or the school where you are farmed out to? If it's the latter, tell your employer. It's his responsibility. If it's your employer, be glad you're leaving and after you do, tell us the name of this joint.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

They gave me a book to teach by another language center that teaches at their school but would not let me watch their class or speak to them even though they complained that my class wasn't like theirs.
That's probably because they aren't supposed to give out the book

!
I agree that you should report this school to your employer. You could perhaps tactfully do this from the 'asking for advice' angle - 'how can I best handle this? I've tried....'

It sounds very frustrating, by the way!

80daze · Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 118 Location: China

It's the school I get farmed out to. My DOS has backed us up but you can only do so much especially when some of the issues are ridiculous. We do about 60% of our work there so my company has to be nice and listen to them.

Their head teacher said she was a better teacher than me and said I should teach my class like she teaches hers; so of course I asked to watch her lessons, that was the end of that complaint Smile

(never did get to see them though)

chinaroman · Joined: 30 Oct 2010 Posts: 61

TIC...... THIS IS CHINA. Smile, nod, and get on with your day! Best advice anyone can give you.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 11:38 pm Post subject:

rlloydevans · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 26 Location: Guayaquil, Ecuador

I have to agree with Justin ( I know, big surprise) that probably you are making the current staff nervous - which means you seem like a threat.

Your practical options are:

A) Learn to live with it

B) Try to find a way to get in on their good side - mostly by finding a way to be helpful but not threatening

C) Quit.

I hope it works out.

www.fatgringoteacher.com