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Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

I think our problem is that it is very draining teaching Chinese students . They copy and you end up reading 60 papers that are the same . This takes time because you must make the same comments and corrections on each paper . This is what bothers me about the passive students we get . They seem to be in this Lets Drive the Foreinger Crazy mode . They are so used to having people make them do things . Make them come to class. Make them study. Make them bring pens and paper to writing class . Make them turn off their cellular phones and MP3's . And the paper work they bring you . Medical notes and home work
for classes that took place months ago . Lately my students aren't coming to class because of a dance competion that will be held in June . This is great for me the less there , the easier it is for me .

boubou · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 61

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

Actually, it is not that the FTs in the English department are so overworked. It is that I am the only writing teacher. The other FTs do Oral English. They could split our classes so I have 2 oral classes and 2 writing classes and the other FT does two and two. We have 2 other FTs in the department, and they do not complain about their workload. I am also doing the oral English for the Japanese students as I am the only one who can speak Japanese. And it is somewhat helpful for understanding some comments from students... like when they mutter to eachother that they have no idea what the teacher is talking about.

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

So.
I have submitted a total of 16 failed students.
As I was talking to the leader, I came to know that the students will be given a make up exam (that I get to write---but they did offer to use the Paper B, and I said I want to write a new one). The make up exam will take place in two weeks.

Students passing the make-up will be allowed to graduate on time.... at least that is my impression.

I feel my worry is for nothing. Especially, they can get on with their life quickly, but on the other hand I also do not want to drag it out anymore. UGH.

ymmv · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 387

Our seniors are handing in their theses this week. If your school is like mine, that's what's going on at yours, too.

You gave your final exam prior to the May Day Holiday and, 16 students tanked. Since they took that test, they have been preparing their final theses. While they may have paid scant attention in prepping for your final exam, they probably really hunkered down since then to prepare their final thesis.

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the stuff you taught them, but didn't sink in at the time, did sink in during the process of writing the final thesis. It's about the only time of the 4 year process that is the China university system when students actually stay on task, focus, and proofread multiple times. And in that process, lessons previously taught sometimes become learned (acquired).

Which is to say that now that the 16 have finished their theses, don't be surprised if there is a noticeable improvement in their writing simply from having gone through the thesis process. Your lessons contributed to that - maybe not at the time you taught them.

I agree with you - don't give them Paper B. No doubt that will be leaked to them. On the few occassions I have had to use Paper B, I always write a new one, too.

So, write a new test, and you may be happily surprised that they actually write significantly better having gone through the thesis process in the interim.

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

I don't understand Yu . You are being punished for your students lack of work . You must mark a make-up exam ? Why not just pass them with the lowest possible mark . My policy with no shows and people I barely know is to give them one mark bellow the bottom students grade .

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

ymmv, I think that is probably exactly what is going on. I know there final theses are due soon, and in order to get their final exam they had to turn in the first draft to me. They also needed to submit a rough draft. Several students failed to submit a rought draft, and most of them turned it in late. I had planned to do some editing activities in class that were contingent upon them actually doing their thesis earlier. Because they did not do this I felt a little angry because it ruined my lesson plans. And I did have plans. Great plans for them. You live you learn.

Brian, I do not feel I am being punished. It is odd to me that you would think of it that way. I feel I am being responsibile. I actually want all students to learn a minimum level in order to pass my class. I have standards that I am not willing to compromise. Maybe I am also ignorant or stubborn, and I am sure many people will look at me that way. Maybe my extra efforts are worth nothing. But, for me, it is too early in my teaching career to give up, and too late in my career to be swayed by the weak students. OF course it is easy to just pass them. I could have done that. The school could have told me not to fail that many students. I think the school cared enough about my face to let me fail. They cared enough about the school's face to in the end not ruin the students future. They are not going behind my back and changing the scores. Giving a make-up exam is the work of a teacher. Passing students who deserve to fail is not taking your job seriously. It is lowering a standard. It is one value I have that I am not willing to compromise.