Job Discussion Forums

[Ludwig]

I am willing to bet that you have no training whatsoever for this. The points you list would make me predict the feedback and reactions you said you have received. Indeed, I think you had these reactions because of your approach, not despite it. It is all too unstructured, incoherent, and 'off the cuff'.

[burnsie]

Ahhh, Lubwig, how scorned you are!

[hesterprynne]

With the exception of one snide comment, this thread was very useful to me.
Let's not forget the Chinese tendency to be openly, creatively, aggressively critical of people they feel close to.

[Atlas]

Yes, consider the motivation behind the criticism before you consider the content of the criticism: what kind of students feel at such liberty to give the teacher a running assessment of their performance? The kinds of students who are looking for ways to minimize their responsibility to learn by deflecting it back onto the teacher, and we teachers fall for it and spend time defending ourselves or justifiying our approaches, coming down to the students level and letting them have power they really don't deserve; after all they are in school and school is not always fun and if they aren't willing to accept that then they are irresponsible.

What about the idea of going to class and just doing what the teacher asks you to do whether you like it or not, because the teacher is doing a job and expects you to do your job? IF I'm teaching some point the students have heard all their lives but are still not doing correctly I don't care if they are bored by it. If it's so easy then implement the correct use of the language! Forget media, forget conversational topics of interest to these morons, and look at what is really going on--deflection of responsibility. Looking for reasons to "tune out". That's NOT the teacher's fault or responsibility! That is the student not living up to their agreement implicit in the student-teacher relationship. Teachers can receive feedback but should not bend to hear every little criticism, because after all who's running this circus anyway? Stop bending over! How about this: "Your personal feelings are not relevant to this lesson, you'll do my assignment or fail. Conversational practice means speaking, regardless of your personal feelings on the subject. The world isn't here to jump to your whistle, young person."

I couldn't imagine talking to my teachers and other adult authorities as if they were my equal or subordinate! Remind them of their responsibilities and tell them to tow the line or fail! Your choice of subject matter has very little to do with it!

[oatgnist]

The expectations of foreign teachers here really are numerous and sometimes I feel quite resistant to them. I am thinking particularly of the expectations of the poor old ORAL English teacher.

I am quite an experienced teacher and receive few complaints about my teaching. That doesn't mean the students can't think of anything to "suggest", though ! Mine often say they'd like me to TALK MORE (this after much explanation of why I should NOT be doing too much talking in their once-a-week-only Oral classes).

I think this comes partly from genuine curiosity about us FOREIGNERS, partly is a cop-out from really participating and partly is just one of those weird received ideas about what a foreign teacher should be and do. (And to some extent, I'm afraid, this expectation can be blamed on inexperienced foreign teachers who don't know how to do anything other than a song-and-dance act in oral class.)

I dislike this not only because it goes against my idea of what happens in a good oral class (essentially, that the students do most of the work and the teacher facilitates) but because it's actually quite dehumanising in a way : hey, let us know all about you (e.g. tell us something ROMANTIC between you and your partner !) WITHOUT RECIPROCATION from us ! Sometimes I say, Would you ask your Chinese teacher that ?

They are very welcome to build friendships outside class and I make this clear and try to make myself accessible but few really try .... this does support the idea that they ask for entertainment's sake more than anything.

Sorry - all a bit incoherent but wanted to echo the others who advised not to take things too personally. Of course listen to constructive criticism and work on improving your teaching skills but (a) if you try to please everyone you will end up pleasing no one and (b) teaching is not easy; expectations of foreign teachers here can act as an unnecessary pressure and - I believe - even lead you in the wrong direction, so far as teaching well is concerned !