Job Discussion Forums

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

As noted some of the expectations in an evaluation here are different, but is that surprising to anyone? It's a completely different educational system. Some of the things pointed out in my last evaluation, good and bad, were spot on. I don't always agree with everything but it's the evaluators assessment of the employee, not the employee's assessment of themselves.

Regarding the comment on "content control" - if a teacher discusses known inflammatory topics (Tiananmen, Taiwan et al) in a classroom, especially one where they're being observed, then frankly they deserve any negative feedback they get - not only for inappropriate content (SAFEA contracts cover this - respect Chinese morals/policies etc) but for being foolish and naive. I think most of us are smart enough to keep those topics/opinions out of the classroom and focus on other content but there will always be some people who like to push things a lot farther.

If this thread had started out with the words "My school has never observed me in the six years I've been here, what's going on?" then some posters comments would read like this: "Chinese schools don't care about quality," or "You're just a dancing monkey and no-one really cares what you do," or "The evaluation is worthless because the evaluators are unprofessional." Now, when a teacher starts a thread telling us his/her school wants to observe their work we get the same comments. At least some schools are making an effort.

Anyone who goes into the classroom and: a. respects the students, b. offers something of value in the lesson (puts some effort into the plan), c. shows up not stinking of alcohol, and d. acts in a professional manner - has little to worry about in any evaluation. It's the people who don't do these things that should be, and are, worried. You took the job, and the employer has every right to observe from time to time to see that you deliver some semblance of quality. Anyone disagreeing with that should do themselves and their students a favour and leave.

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

"Content control", I think, is more the job of the class monitor. At least, that has been the case in the majority of my classes. The monitor hands over his work to the department. The sad part is that the smarter kids aren't usually the monitors.

I've had monitors who didn't understand a word of English.

I've had classes whose students came to class only occasionally, and the monitors RARELY showed up. One of those classes had the nerve to make bad remarks about me at the end of the year.

Content control is sometimes confused with quality control. This becomes quite apparent when one deviates from the book for good reason and someone in the department raises hell about it.

In western universities, teachers undergo evaluation, so I don't understand why the OP would have objections to an evaluation.

Guerciotti · Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:34 am Post subject:

Maybe it is content control as opposed to quality control. It occurred to me my most recent visit happened after admin found out about another FT's questionable practices.

Either way, they pay me so I say come on in. They always find something minor to focus on anyway, regardless of my teaching. I don't want to visit their classes because I know how to slowly read a textbook out loud and I don't need to observe a teacher with a projector and computer silently clicking through a .doc of the questions out of the text book without giving answers, comments or speaking at all.

I'm not a clown because I don't act like a clown. I teach. Admin has no idea but the students appreciate it. I'm a professional because I walk the walk and talk the talk. I didn't say I am the best teacher and I didn't say you are not professional. I can only speak for myself.

You are only a dancing monkey if you accept that you are, indeed, a dancing monkey.

/end inspiring speech
G Cool

igorG · Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 1473 Location: asia

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

A co-teacher is not an employer.

Guerciotti · Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:58 am Post subject:

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

Who observes and evaluates teachers can vary from school to school I suppose. I've had the assistant dean and a senior teacher observe me in the past. My last observed class was done by our Chinese Cooperation teacher (co-teacher?), who is more of a colleague than a superior. But she has an advanced education degree and I don't doubt she can evaluate a class as well as most others.

Some people, incl. me, reached the conclusion the request for observation was for the purpose of evaluation. That may or may not be the case. More likely the co-teacher is just curious, or wants to pick up some pointers. I get unannounced strangers in my class from time to time, I'm sure others do too, and if I notice them I politely ask them where they've come from. Usually they're students from another major who have no English classes but want the chance to attend a few lessons. No-one seems to object.

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

liebkuchen · Joined: 21 Oct 2011 Posts: 25 Location: China

I teach at a large provincial uni and had my lesson observed 2 days ago by the uber-head of department without warning- slightly taking me by suprise but I rolled with it.

I wasn't too worried- I've got a PGCE and a year in a 'real' school under my belt where I was observed and graded alot, so a single observation was fine albeit for the whole double period. I always carry spare lesson plans and stuff so my preparation's ok.

My only issue as I got on with my lesson- about festivals- that the last section on Christmas- with the Christmas story and some Carol singing could have been seen as extremely religious- and I know that the Americans at my college are all evangelical Christians. But being an atheist Brit, I made it clear that this was the reason behind the celebration and that people of all faiths and none can celebrate it and enjoy the fun stuff. I still have my job and the only feedback I got from the head man was that it was 'very good- very well organised'. I'll take that and run.

My Chinese teacher, who sits in every class then did an observation on one of my two colleagues and presumably the head man will do my other colleague. I'm reassured they do have some kind of standards. My Chinese teacher gave me constructive critism when I first started but now takes notes about vocabulary and culture and learns from me which is nice to be able to help her too.

Lobster · Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:42 am Post subject:

I love having other teachers or admin people observe or sit in on my class. It spices things up a bit and ensures that the students will be on their best behavior. I often involve them in the class and ask them a couple of questions. My favorite question for them is always "How many legs does a dog have?" That always seems to catch them off guard.

RED

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

I have only been officially observed once. Funnily enough, it was by a former student (now teacher). She gave me a glowing review. I would have preferred to be observed by someone with more experience.

Numerous Chinese teachers have sat in on my classes, always asking for permission first.

One time the English Department's monthly meeting was held in one of my classes, with my students and about 25 Chinese English teachers. After the students left, the teachers talked about the class and shared ideas.

I always welcome any students or teachers who wish to sit in on my classes.

As several posters have already pointed out, the schools certainly have the right to observe the FTs. We may not feel the observers have the right qualifications to judge us, but that really isn't our call.

.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

The way I see it, there are 3 possible outcomes: 1) You lose your job. If this is the case (very unlikely), they were going to do it anyway but wanted to keep good records. 2) You get no, or useless feedback and continue classes as usual. 3) You get some usefull positive and\or negative feedback to use going forward. Some of the best advice I've received has been from people I didn't particularly like. And it's better coming from a teacher than a student ("more games!").

randyj · Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 11:16 am Post subject:

A professor from our university's English department came to observe one of my classes last week. He's a very nice guy, and the visit had been announced beforehand, not that it's important. The class was basic writing for English majors. That day we were reviewing the structure of an essay from the textbook, so I told Professor Li what we were doing and lent him a copy so he could follow along. Our school chooses foreign teachers for English majors with some care, so I feel honored to teach these students. Resistance to any kind of observation of my classes would send a lot of wrong signals, in my humble opinion. The more the merrier is my philosophy.

igorG · Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 1473 Location: asia

chryanvii · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 125

thanks for your input and clearing things up. The only reason why I "blew this out of proportion" is because I just had no clue that universities exercised this kind of practice. I thought that it was under the normal procedure at universities that FTs were usually "left to their own devices"

As I mentioned in my first post, my last university did not observe me at all. My expectations were the same at this school, and it just caught me off guard. I don't know...maybe my co-teacher was supposed to evaluate my classes at that university, but just never did.

I have nothing to hide. I just feel a little bit more pressure when somebody suddenly randomly shows up to evaluate me. Maybe I am having an "off-day" or something. And I would feel it in my veins, that she attended that "one class" where I performed my absolute worst, or the one where the topic was just a little bit dryer than usual.