Job Discussion Forums

[zootown]

I have 26 classes(60+ students per class) there discipline is bad there English is bad. One reason is my classes are not tested so the students don't care about my classes.

I stupidly told the powers that be at my school this.

Now the powers that be want me to get the students to do a speaking test.

I said how am I going to test 1600 students.I said it would take me years even if I put them in groups.

There speaking English is poor at best.

Any ideas how I can overcome this problem?

[dean_a_jones]

Honestly, that many students sounds completely absurd. I don't see how it is at all possible to test them, even in groups (as this still takes a few minutes at least per student).

I would ask for overtime pay to do it or explain you will have to do it during class hours and thus all teaching would cease so you could try to work your way through testing them all.

In a large class that the students have clearly recognised is unimportant (otherwise they would be in smaller groups in a real class) and treat it that way, don't expect them to care or progress much.

Your best bet would be to just not bother, or make up scores, and hope the whole notion blows over.

[zootown]

Again spoke to the powers that be this morning and said it is impossible to test that many students.

He said we will get some teachers to help me.

I said they are going to love that there already to busy.

Waste of my time even if I test them and they see my scores they(powers that be) probably will change them.

[jaydizzle]

That'll teach ya to open your big mouth!

I'll never understand why FTs insist on making the job harder on themselves. If your school doesn't require tests, then do your little monkey dance, get paid and go on about your life.

[jaydizzle]

[rogerwilco]

Almost every Chinese person can say "hello".
My quick test for knowing if a person understands a little English is asking them "how are you ".

If I were forced to test that many students then I would just ask them one by one
"how are you", and score them according to their reply.


I use that "how are you" question when shopping or in social settings.
It seems to be the easiest or fastest way to know if the person can understand and use English.

[7969]

Q. Hello.
A. Fine thank you.

[max81]

[7969]

Forgot that part

[JayCee86]

I think the standard answer is more like - Fine san kew, and you(3), i.e. the you is said with 3rd tone in Chinese, but elongated a little.

[Zimmer]

Tell your classes to form a group and brainstorm approaches to a problem, or debate a topic you choose, whatever.

Walk around the groups that actually seem to be doing something, decide who if anybody is making any effort at all and grade them as you see fit. If they're as bad as you say it probably won't take long.After the class tell them they just had a test and those who chose not to participate will see it reflected in their scores.

It probably won't change how the school alters their marks but it could be a wake up call for at least a few of them and you'll be able to say you tested them.

[choudoufu]

you have anything better to do than complain?


hey, boss! these students need testing.

ok. test 'em.

but there's so many!

ok. i'll arrange assistance for you.

but they won't like it!

(and anyways, you won't accept my grades.)

[Opiate]

[xiguagua]

[zootown]