Job Discussion Forums

[igorG]

We are talking about serious teachers， aren�t we？ What exceptions to what rules are you talking about above？

[Guerciotti]

I guess I'm the exception to 7969's rule.
I am a serious teacher, albeit with 8 months experience in China.
Admin hates me, or at least pretends they do. Students love me, so I'll do another year here. That and my brother's family will visit the Great Wall next year, and this is close.
Admin actually told me to teach more like a Chinese teacher, and use the useless books they provide and won't change.
They want me to gain the attention and adoration of every student in every class. I believe this is impossible. Maybe I'm wrong, but I doubt it.
If they want a Chinese teacher, then just hire one?
I found out, through the back door, that I had the highest teacher rating from the students. Not what admin told me. Of course I found out after I signed another year.
I'm just frustrated and mad and sad and probably several other unpleasant things.
I don't get it, at all.
What the hell? What the hell?
Rant over. We now return you to your regularly scheduled posts.

[Ariadne]

Like the song says, 'Mama said there'd be days like this...' Some days are just plain impossible. Heck, sometimes it's whole weeks. But there must be something you're enjoying since you're still here. You may as well accept that you will never truly understand it all. Even the stuff you understand can drive you nuts because accepting or understanding doesn't mean agreeing. The first thing the other FTs told me when I arrived was don't ask 'why', this is China.

China can be a great place to live and work. I, like so many others, keep coming back. Let's hope next year will be better for you.

.

[Guerciotti]

haha thanks. I found out I like to teach. It isn't so easy. It's worth working to get better. I'll probably have a good year next year, and great years after that, when I leave. There are some things I want to work on, but I turned down a very nice deal to stay, and I feel like I got robbed.
Well, next year I'm gone.
Thanks again

[Non Sequitur]

When I worked as a DTA I found that my in-class observations during the semester pretty much matched the student feedback.
So, take heart.

[Guerciotti]

What is a DTA?

[Non Sequitur]

DTA = Director of Teaching Affairs.
You get to attend any disciplinary meetings and advocate for the teacher.
Get newbies started on their first day - where the classrooms are etc.
The biggest disappointment is the newbie who fronts up with the attitude:
'I'm (state nationality)'
'I have a degree'
'I speak English'
'What on earth more do I have to know?'
And those are the teachers that the students mark down on assessment for:
- Speaking only to the students in front
- Excessive Teacher Talk Time
- Inaudibility
- Lack of planning both for each class and the semester as a whole.
There's generally a bit more pay - say RMB1000 pm and down to 14 contact hours from the normal 16 to 18.

[Guerciotti]

thanks

[wangdaning]

can and aren't allowed to = not ok
can't and need to = not ok

can and expected to = ok