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randyj
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 460
Location: Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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 Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree wholeheartedly with 7969 about student involvement. The only successful English corners I have ever encountered were student-organized. |
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Cyberkada
Joined: 04 Dec 2011
Posts: 306
Location: Xi'an, China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:06 am Post subject: |
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| choudoufu wrote: |
| 7969 wrote: |
| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| 7969 wrote: |
| Yeah but he's got another 100 or so handles already lined up. Might as well make use of them. good for another couple of years I'd say. |
Yet another thing we can agree on. |
Yep, no matter what happens we'll always have big bang theory fan, w.melon56, viola taylor china (those three were just this week) and 50, 000 other one hit wonders to bind us together. |
but why? it must get boring after the first hundred or so bannings.
@cyberk---it's english corner, have fun! show a short video...do a
weekly installment of a popular teevee show, or download groovy
stuff off youtube. make popcorn. discuss the film afterwards.
bring in your oven and teach 'em how to make cookies. let them
pick topics and prepare debates. it's not supposed to be just
another class. are you required to stay in the classroom? can
you hold your englrish corners on the sports field, in the park, etc.?
can you take 'em to a local market and have them explain the
fruits and veggies, and how to bargain? |
I was told today that its not a traditional English corner. Its basically a IELTS help-class. |
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steve b
Joined: 31 May 2011
Posts: 293
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:06 am Post subject: |
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| Are you being paid overtime? |
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dean_a_jones
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 1151
Location: Wuhan, China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:12 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, you say it is your same class (not a drop in kind of thing), I assume it is mandatory and it is IELTS prep focused (which you don't teach normally). It sounds to me like an extra class rather than an 'English event', 'extracurricular activity'. 'English corner' or whatever else you may have in your contract in terms of extra responsibilities.
I would suggest you tell them if they want you to teach extra sessions like this, then you should be getting overtime pay in line with your contract. This is especially true if they are expecting you to do some serious academic prep for it. |
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zactherat
Joined: 24 Aug 2011
Posts: 295
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:26 am Post subject: |
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Your administrators are using the cover of an English corner to give you extra (unpaid?) classes. And it sounds like you have already agreed.
Nice work by your FAO - You've been scammed! |
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Cyberkada
Joined: 04 Dec 2011
Posts: 306
Location: Xi'an, China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:02 am Post subject: |
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| zactherat wrote: |
Your administrators are using the cover of an English corner to give you extra (unpaid?) classes. And it sounds like you have already agreed.
Nice work by your FAO - You've been scammed! |
I will just show them movies. And the only movies I have legally here are Battlestar Galactica, Babylon 5 and Firefly. So thats what they will watch. I tried doing the English teacher thing when I first came here. It takes a special teacher with patience to do English and I have loads of respect for you. If its not algorithms and physics/ chemistry/ math I'm clueless.
We weren't asked, we were ordered to do it by the head Chinese teacher. I was actually expecting and looking forward to an English-corner type event.
Yes unpaid. Her revenge for us complaining to our headquarters about the last minute 2-week cut in vacation. |
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dean_a_jones
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 1151
Location: Wuhan, China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Cyberkada wrote: |
| I will just show them movies...I tried doing the English teacher thing when I first came here...Her revenge for us complaining to our headquarters about the last minute 2-week cut in vacation. |
Fair enough, but if you won't follow the curriculum/request and you have the class regularly already, then I would see if the students have an interest in doing some English practice. You don't need to be be talking grammar rules, but they might just appreciate a chance to chat a bit on a topical issue of their choice.
For example today in class we did a "2011 review" and discussed the news, political, cultural issues of the year. They enjoyed it, had things to say, had opinions and were happy to share and debate with each other. It takes little prep, but they will probably get more out of it than a film which they can sleep through.
Just an idea. Nothing wrong with bucking the system, but don't punish the pawns. |
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Cyberkada
Joined: 04 Dec 2011
Posts: 306
Location: Xi'an, China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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| dean_a_jones wrote: |
| Cyberkada wrote: |
| I will just show them movies...I tried doing the English teacher thing when I first came here...Her revenge for us complaining to our headquarters about the last minute 2-week cut in vacation. |
Fair enough, but if you won't follow the curriculum/request and you have the class regularly already, then I would see if the students have an interest in doing some English practice. You don't need to be be talking grammar rules, but they might just appreciate a chance to chat a bit on a topical issue of their choice.
For example today in class we did a "2011 review" and discussed the news, political, cultural issues of the year. They enjoyed it, had things to say, had opinions and were happy to share and debate with each other. It takes little prep, but they will probably get more out of it than a film which they can sleep through.
Just an idea. Nothing wrong with bucking the system, but don't punish the pawns. |
Kinda hard to do when handed an IELTS book 5 minutes before this "English Corner" and told to just do it. Yeah. the CT lead scammed us big time... Again, its just like asking a English teacher to teach integral calculus on 5 minutes notice... But at least the movies will have English captions... During my business class meetings we already talk a wide variety of topics (related to business, of course)... I did fine these kids are absolutely clueless about Western media and culture... (didn't know Looney Tunes or Star Wars for example) |
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dean_a_jones
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 1151
Location: Wuhan, China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah I understand that the request is unfair and last minute, which is not unusual.
But if you are thinking of not following it (i.e. not teaching IELTS as asked) then don't just pump out films. At least get the students talking about stuff that they need the practice with, whatever that is. If it is media and culture, get them to talk about that. Or show a bit of a film, pause, discuss, and then move on and show more.
The system here can get you down, but it is the students who are often stuck in the middle. |
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Opiate
Joined: 10 Aug 2011
Posts: 630
Location: Qingdao
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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| dean_a_jones wrote: |
The system here can get you down, but it is the students who are often stuck in the middle. |
You'll likely be the only one giving a crap about the students. Think the school does? No, you don't, you are smarter than that.
While I want to agree with your position, I have seen more than a few teachers get used and abused because their hearts bled for the students. |
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steve b
Joined: 31 May 2011
Posts: 293
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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Opiate I shall be charitable and describe your view as jaundiced.
If you are a teacher (rather than someone just going through the motions) then the students ARE the job.
I had the misfortune - or if you are glass half full - good fortune to be involved in a serious RTA which resulted in 3 weeks in hospital and surgery to insert half the Queen Mary into my bones. My students were incredible, staying overnight at the hospital (sleeping on the floor) to tend to me, taking it in shifts to visit me to the extent sometimes I just wanted time alone etc.
Ok, let's all forget the students eh? Until we could do with their help.
I will do anything I can for my students - paid or unpaid. |
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Opiate
Joined: 10 Aug 2011
Posts: 630
Location: Qingdao
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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| steve b wrote: |
| I will do anything I can for my students - paid or unpaid. |
You sir, are my hero. |
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dean_a_jones
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 1151
Location: Wuhan, China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Opiate wrote: |
You'll likely be the only one giving a crap about the students. Think the school does? No, you don't, you are smarter than that.
While I want to agree with your position, I have seen more than a few teachers get used and abused because their hearts bled for the students. |
Sure, I get the hard guy stuff and not giving a FF for anyone involved, as it is all self-preservation.
But all here have given advice going forward, dealing with the school, being aggressive on contracts, pay, extra classes etc. If you want to tell the school to FO, then surely that is what you should do. But you should stand by your students if you think they deserve it.
But as said, it is possible/likely the school doesn't care about the students in terms of your event. That doesn't mean that you cannot do something that is worth their while. That is your choice.
Last edited by dean_a_jones on Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:13 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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steve b
Joined: 31 May 2011
Posts: 293
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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Really no need for that remark. My post was genuine. When you receive above and beyond, the normal thing to do is return it in spades - at least the British generally try to.
I think the world of my lot and it is reciprocated. Maybe you don't enjoy that relationship, in which case your attitude is perfectly understandable. |
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Opiate
Joined: 10 Aug 2011
Posts: 630
Location: Qingdao
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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| steve b wrote: |
Really no need for that remark. My post was genuine. When you receive above and beyond, the normal thing to do is return it in spades - at least the British generally try to.
I think the world of my lot and it is reciprocated. Maybe you don't enjoy that relationship, in which case your attitude is perfectly understandable. |
I never doubted your post, I took it at face value. Perhaps you are a fortunate individual or perhaps I have been unfortunate. In the schools I have worked for, if they believe a teacher puts the students before pay....they will be asked and expected to do so. They will be used. Take a class without pay once....you will do it again. Do something nice for a class of good students...they'll complain if you don't do it for all. They will take you for a ride.
Maybe I've been unlucky. |
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