Job Discussion Forums

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Hello university/college teachers,
I've applied for a job teaching at a college in Guangzhou, China. The recruiter told me that I'd be teaching thirty to forty students per class. Shocked

I've taught many adult students but never in a university or in classes that large.
I'd REALLY appreciate some helpful advice/comments regarding this concern..especially from university teachers that have been teaching at that level for awhile.

Thank you!

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

dont worry. there's little to fear. 30-40 might seem daunting the first week but you'll adapt and get used to it quickly. after a few weeks the larger class size wont faze you one bit.

my little bit of advice: just go in organized with a plan A and a plan B and you'll be fine.

Others will be along soon to assist you further.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I was doing 55 to 70 per class last term. No major problems except remembering everybody�s names. 30 to 40? Pretty small, actually; especially in the rural areas.

dog backwards · Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 178

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Teach broadly - in other words ham it up.
Take charge right from the beginning. Bell rings. Greet the class and have them greet you. My favourite. 'Good morning class'. 'Good morning teacher'. 'What shall we do?' 'Let's speak English!'
Then on with the music for the warmup song.
I do the roll then with banter. 'Lily?' 'Here' 'Lily introduce me to the boy next to you'. etc
If you know her well
'Is he your boyfriend Lily?'

Old Surrender · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 6:58 am Post subject:

Find out what your room's seating situation is and design a seating chart in Excel or Quark Xpress. Have the students write their names in the squares where their seats are. It's better than doing a roll call when taking attendance. Also, it will help you learn the names of some of your students.

I teach writing to 50-60 students. Speak loudly and slowly. A lot of my oral English counterparts make them split into groups for activities.

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Hello all!,
Thank you for your helpful and kind comments. I mentioned that I had applied for the job in Guangzhou..actually it's with Guangdong AIB College.
* I have been asking the recruiter Mike Zheng to speak to one of the foreign teachers that I'd be working with (to ask general questions on how he/she likes teaching there,etc.) and I keep getting the same "the teacher is still traveling" answer which I'm not happy about. Sad

I would REALLY like to first talk with or e-mail the said Western teacher.

1. Have any of you dealt with this recruiter?
2. How long are the Chinese holidays? Aren't the Chinese New Year holidays over?
3. Do any of you know of Western university/college instructors that are now still on holiday?
4. Have any of you heard of the college that I've applied to?

Please reply ASAP,
Thank you

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

here at our school we have three furrin' teachers. one just
came back day before yesterday. school offices are still
closed. they "may" open tomorrow to begin preparing the
schedule for the semester starting monday.

*update* as of friday noon, most offices still closed.
they say the admin guy will be in over the weekend to
prepare class schedules.

Old Surrender · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:25 am Post subject:

I just finished my first week of classes.