Job Discussion Forums

[sharter]

Some of the bad things that happen frequently here-

1-You get fired if you mark them absent (the students complain) and you get fired if you mark absentees present (and the boss catches you).

2-You get fired for not marking students late but you get fired for marking students late because they complain about you.

3-You fail students in tests, so they fire you. You pass everyone....and maintain the lie.

4-Students are arrogant and rude daily but one display of reality on your part gets you fired. Never take someone's mobile if he says no.

5-Students who have had 12 years of English in school and done 3x180-hour English courses who can't master Ana=I am or read difficult words like 'me'.

6-Religious students who won't look at the book if there a picture of a woman in it or listen to any form of music. People who'll laughingly show you beheadings on their I-phones.

7-Classes that behave like you are not even in the room.

[rainbowprof]

[sharter]

My dad always told me if I expected and planned for the worst then everything else would be a pleasant surprise. (ex-Navy pilot).

In fairness, I've had some really good classes out here too. You cherish the good ones. If you get pigeonholed as someone who can handle rowdy classes, your life becomes a mare. It's really annoying to bail water when others have stopped or aren't capable for the same money but that's another story.

Outside school Arabs are usually very polite and hospitable. When you get to know them better (some are initially quite shy). They also love to laugh, joke and make fun of each other....and the teacher on occasion. I think a lot of problems happen here because some TEFL teachers don't know how to handle people period.I've met some very socially awkward people in this region and it has to be said that most have been American, which in itself is weird because I've got loads of American friends who aren't teachers.

As the fella said somewhere, the key word is 'patience'.