Job Discussion Forums

[Trifaro]

I think that when folk type - 40 hours a week, they aren't refering to time in class Teatime.

Both Wall St. & Web, I'm not sure about EF, generally "require" the teacher to clock-in at 1pm and clock-out at 9pm during the week. Weekends might be 9 to 5, 10 to 6 or 11 to 7 = 40 hour week.

There is 1 hour prep, 1 hour dinner break and 1 hour whatever at Web. Wall St. doesn't/didn't have the whatever hour.

As far as I know, Web requires 5, 60 minute/1 hour classes a day. Wall St., 6.

That is 25/30 real hours in class.

Most universities require 16 to 18, 45 minute periods a week = 12/13.5 real hours in class.

In my opinion, university jobs are better, especially if you live on campus. I currently spend less than 15 hours a week engaged in work-related activities (planning, copying handouts, walking/commuting to class). When I worked for a training center around 45 hours a week. 7k v. 14k.

Allow me to "Edit" and also point out that the 7k included a free apartment; the 14k didn't. The tax on 7k isn't much = basically 7k to spend. The tax on 14k was around 1k = 13k - rent = around 10k to spend. So, work for 15 or 16 hour a week and receive 7k to spend v. work for 45+ hours a week and have 10k to spend. Which do you prefer?

[nickpellatt]

Teatime, my training centre didnt. The contract was simple, choose an option of either 10x90 min classes, or 15x90 min classes. This was 15 or 22.5 hours respectively.

Only other duties were attend a lunchtime meeting once a fortnight. This was typically 30 minutes long, was conducted entirely in English, and was used to discuss moving students between grades, and student problems.

There was also a social night once a week which teachers were contracted to attend, (although many didnt without penalty). This was for around 2 hours on a thursday evening and free beer and snacks were provided.

No office hours, no evenings other than the social night mentioned, no weekends unless there was a make up day for national holidays.

[clownshow]

I have no experience with language centers but have often heard any school that is not degree related referred to as a mill. They often spring up around universities and offer skill tutoring and lessons to foreign students enrolled in degree seeking programs. Often they do not offer quality instruction.

[seamallowance]

[vikeologist]

[LongShiKong]

Ever notice the use of 'mill drill' to refer to interactive speaking activities in Macmillan's resources--in print or online: InsideOut; Reward, OneStopEnglish.com; etc.? It even sounded derogatory back in 2001 before I'd even heard the expression 'language mill'. Perhaps now that Macmillan is starting to open its own 'McMills' in China, they'll reclaim the term for market advantage.

[Lobster]

Probably the only thing I'd agree with here is that a LM is a privately-owned business venture. That and the requirement for evening or weekend work. All the rest are variables.

They may or may not be chains or franchises.
They may or may not provide housing or allowances.
They may or may not offer additional paid holidays.
They may or may not have a set curriculum.
They may or may not require office hours.
They may or may not pay well.
They may or may not have a high student/teacher turnover.
They may or may not be operating legally.
They may or may not require over 20 teaching hours per week.

This list could be much longer.

What counts when considering a job?
A fair and clear contract.
Wages and benefits.
Location.
Good housing.
Free time and holidays.
Good students.
Good admin and co-workers.
Good materials and academic freedom.
Good classrooms and equipment.

Any job, private or public, that meets the basic requirements can provide a decent teaching experience.

RED

[Non Sequitur]

I use �mill� as shorthand for any school not in the public sector.
It�s not pejorative in my vocab.
Uni work with good apartment and less than 20 contact hours plus OK salary and airfare refund and then in summer off downtown each day to a mill is my idea of a good balance.
At the end of my spring semester I look forward to getting to my mill work � younger students and different syllabus.
At the end of the summer holiday I look forward to getting back to meet my new freshmen and renew acquaintance with a smattering of sophomore and junior classes.
As the freshmen do a few weeks military at start of semester the transition is gradual and really as good as holiday time. Time to meet up with other returning teachers who�ve been away home and meet new FTs who are joining. This is a good lifestyle. I'm from the Southern Hemisphere, so I save the trip home until the Chinese NY break. It's plenty long enough.
Both uni and mill work have their place.