Job Discussion Forums

[rj]

If they are supposed to be doing job training and not in class, why are they scheduled for classes they obviously can't attend? I'm ignorant of China so forgive me if this is a stupid question.

[nik_knack0828]

Thanks everyone.
I have decided to use Arioch's short speeches idea. Thanks.
Afra, I appreciate the advice, but my grades really don't count for that much here. It's stupid. I'm just the new oral english teacher. It's expected of me to pass them all. They've paid their money and the school will give them all their papers anyways.
I like your idea nolefan, but I'm on a short deadline here, so they'll be working alone this time.
I would say most of the students are competent, there's just a couple that seem to be seriously messed up. I'm hoping by giving the topics ahead of time (I seized my opportunity to hand out the topic lists today while they were gathered today for class pictures) I can avoid the freaky ignoring, breathing, staring thing. I hope
I can't really be angry at them for not coming to class.
I was told almost no one would be coming back to the school for the second semester.
Besides, I'm in a Chinese school and I don't feel I can't just force them to quit their jobs and come to my class. It's not my place. I don't have that much power in my school. I'm not here to force our western eduacation methods on these students. Maybe more experienced teachers believe they have the right to, but I haven't been here 10 years yet. It's not my place to rock the boat.
I'm reluctant to fail the poorer students, because I know it would just create more problems for me. I've never actually taught most of them. My marks don't really count for that much. It's just something we have to do.
Obviously, I'm not going to give everyone an A even if they do nothing.
I'm not too worried about giving their next teacher a headache. Most of them won't have a "next teacher." They are looking for work NOW.
Some are trying to get into better Universities. But most won't be able to.

This is the last semester for a third year class. It's a joke. My fake class. My other three classes all show up and pay attention (most of the time).

By the way, I'm trying to give them personal reflection questions that will encourage them to talk. Not just telling them to "introduce yourself."

rj, I was told that my students are either studying for their exams (to get into better schools) or looking for work (asap) and the classes become optional. It's seems silly to me, but I'm from a Western country. I can't expect everywhere to be the same (I may as well have stayed at home). I try to accept the differences as just that, differences of opinion. Which I believe they are entitled to have.

Thanks again, arioch, for trying to explain my situation. I appreciate it.


Some people just assume I must be a horrible teacher for not holding my classes like a Drill Sargent. Sorry. I teach "oral English." I have an unnecessary (according to some) job. I don't teach grammar (formally) or any of that "real English."

Roger:
I just wondering if there is anything that really pisses you off about my posts? Or do you just not like them in general? If there is anything specific I'll try to avoid doing whatever it.
I find pretty much everytime you answer something I have written or asked about teaching, your response is negative and makes me feel crappy. I'm not sure why you feel the need to tell me why everything I do is wrong. If you have no advice, I don't see why you post. I realise it's a free forum and I have no right to say anything, but I was just curious to if there was something I am doing wrong.


Gordon, I'm glad I'm not the only one that has to follow stupid rules about marks. Thanks for the support.

Oh, and, khmerhit, while I do love all your posts, it's "SHE is in Asia."
Nikki is short for Nicole, not Nicholas. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say it was a typo.

(Nicky= Nicholas, usually)

I guess, I should add that I had to test 3 of my students today. They are working tomorrow. It went pretty good. Highish marks. I'm gonna wait till tomorrow to finalize them (so I can compare them to their classmates).

[khmerhit]

sorry--must have been a typo, as i knew you werent a guy. Youre too nice. (Am I allowed to say that?) Please dont call the PC cops!

kh

[nik_knack0828]

Thank you.
And I'm not usually one for calling the PC police.
I figured you knew, but just wanted to make sure.
There are a lot of people on here that I think are male/female at first, but find out that I'm wrong later on.
No biggie.

[arioch36]

rj asked