Job Discussion Forums

Lobster · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject:

It would seen that the school's management is well aware of this teacher's behaviour and attitude. No matter what your personal opinion of his actions are; unless you are his supervisor it's not your business.

Lobo is right, although perhaps for the wrong reason. Right that it's none of your business, wrong in that it stems from poor pay. The teacher accepted the contract at that rate and should meet the obligations therein. The fact that he's playing the school is disgraceful, particularly as the school seems to treat the FTs well.

Still, it's a management issue, and if you're not management, it's not your issue. If it causes you problems because you have to stand in for him, that's another matter. The other FTs should refuse to cover any of his classes, and that may cause the school to consider giving him the boot.

RED

Leon Purvis · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:24 am Post subject:

More pay would help everyone, including the slobs. I doubt that more pay would increase the number of good teachers coming to China to work, especially if they intend to return home with a wad of cash in a year. The current exchange rate doesn't favor that scenario.

killian · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:12 am Post subject:

what does the job pay? i am stunned at just how low a rate some western universitiy graduates accept.

loboman · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:17 am Post subject:

I am begining to think my 6500 rmb for 16 45 minute classes a week is too low.

Should I hold out for more on opening day of school?

Bondi007 · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:25 am Post subject:

My job pays just over 6000RMB for a 25 teaching hour week (he does less hours though, maybe 15) . He's in his late 20s, alco/druggie, dreadlocks, American and some of the other (younger) FTs think it's kind of cool for him to be such an irresponsible loser/hedonist.

Bondi007 · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:29 am Post subject:

yes...I know I'm underpaid...I'll be asking for a large raise this week...3000rmb more.

SnoopBot · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 740 Location: USA

These types are even worse when you are called on your day off to go teach their classes because they didn't show up.

I had this situation in 2003-4, often the FT's were drinking and smoking some crap that was supposed to be hashish but looked and smelled like something totally different ? Opium? I wasn't sure but being a newbie at that time, I just stayed away from these type of groups.

Later, when I deemed as reliable, I started ending up with their classes and taking up the slack during their no-shows.

I would be told a class of 30 students are waiting for me at 8:05 AM , and had 10 minutes to prepare.

I ended up recruiting another teacher for the school under a 6-month contract until they could find another person. The person I found was a Chinese-American girl who was only 20, but was very friendly California accent and willing to teach even though she had ZERO experience.

She did a much better job and I helped train her until she had enough confidence to do the job by herself. Normally, an Asian looking face teaching English (They expect a White face) do not get hired at that school.

My suggestion is before YOU get their hours and work load, go look for a replacement even if only a backpacker, or a person normally not selected for these jobs based on age and looks (her case she was an ABC)

Help train them to give them confidence and get that no-load Bozo out the door before he drags all the other FT's down too.

Responsibility is part of this job, I think 90% of the posters here on Dave's are very responsible and would agree with this advice too.

ontoit · Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 99

Low pay creates its own problems, and no pep talk about being professional is going to solve any of them because very few people who willingly work for such low wages will be the type who care much.

End of the day, it's really up to you to get out and into something better if you don't like working with bold losers because they will always outnumber the quiet losers.

By the time such people start getting on your nerves, you really should be working for yourself or someone who pays enough to inspire professional behavior.

What Hemingway said about journalism applies to teaching: It's a good thing, if you know when to get out of it.

loboman · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:05 pm Post subject:

I just came to Wuxi. My school doesn't start till Sept 1 or something like that.

Flew in Sunday. Got a part time job at a training center teaching IELTS Monday.

Was given 3 books and a schedule and shown to the classroom. Got there 30 minutes before the class.

Went and taught a 3 hour class. They never told me what book to use. After the class I was told I taught a 3 hour class using the wrong book...

The communication from this school to me was very quick and not comprehensive at all. And for 3 hours I taught the wrong thing...

Bondi007 · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject:

Oh yeah...I got my big pay raise! If you don't ask, you don't get... Very Happy

texafari · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:47 pm Post subject:

I don't think it matters where in the world you are, there are always going to be slackers in any company you work for!

While it is very "responsible" to have to pick up the slack of other people, you are only enabling these people and your boss by doing so. I realise that FTs are hard to come by at present, but I'm sure your boss will not put as much urgency on finding one, knowing that you or other reliable teachers will pick up the slack. Sometimes you have to be "cruel to be kind". If you really want to make a change within your company, refuse to pick up the slack! Get all the reliable teachers on board, talk with your DOS (if there is one), take action. Force your boss to make the change! If your Chinese boss starts losing money because they can't cover classes which the slacker keeps on missing, you can sure as hell bet he/she will find a replacement sharpish.

I know every situation is unique, but I think this general approach to slackamainia in the workplace seems to do the trick.

Also, not all people with dreadlocks are slackers. I used to have dreadlocks many years ago... Although I was a slacker back then! Smile

Bondi007 · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:25 am Post subject:

I agree TEXA-FARI, no more Mr Cover-For-The-Slacker-Ass-Loser for me.

As you are now an Ex-Slacker, what made you change your ways (and hair-style?) Razz

texafari · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:31 am Post subject:

The hair I cut just before I went to China for the first time. I figured I should probably look semi-respectful if I was going to be a teacher.

The slackness I cut, just becuase there comes a point in life where if you truly want respect you have to act the part and earn it, not only look the part... If you get my drift?

Spot on for getting your raise by the way Smile

Bondi007 · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:58 am Post subject:

Hey Texa-fari...when do you get back to China?

texafari · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject:

I'm hoping within a month or two. Certainly this time around, I'm going to do my homework and be satisfied from the get-go, with whatever I accept.

On my first trip over, I made the common mistake of accepting the first job that was thrown at me! Needless to say, I ended up in Daqing, Heilongjiang province.... Bloody cold it was! I got lucky though and ended up meeting some really great people there, and the school turned out to be pretty decent too. The pay wasn't great, but the working conditions definitely aided my teaching experience.

I am now looking to come and live somewhere in the south of China. I tell you what though... It really is a pain in the butt trying to find the right school to work for, when you're not already in China! The search must go on though...

How long have you been in the great Middle Kingdom?