Job Discussion Forums

[Lobster]

I do continuous assessment, multiple tests and a final exam, for which I prep my students all through the course. I've only had to fail one student in 5 years. I set 80% as the un-official class failure grade, and if any student falls below that, I do extra work with them. If the whole class has trouble with a topic, I arrange a focused workshop. As the official pass grade is 50%, almost any dedicated student with an IQ higher than an oyster's can pull through. Like Jeff, I have no issue with passing those who make a sincere effort, and making sure that those who do make a sincere effort will pass. As I teach, I clearly tell students what they need to know for the final exam. What I don't do, and never will do, is change a grade. I have only a few percentage points to use based on participation, and I'm stingy with those. If I had to give a make-up test, it would only be for those who failed the first one, and the highest possible mark would be 80%.

RED

[Rooster_2006]

[jeffinflorida]

[Rooster_2006]

As for copyrights in China, just because according to US or British copyright law, copying something is illegal, doesn't mean that those laws apply in the sovereign country of China! Sure, the Authors Guild or whatever can try to sue your school. Where is the courtroom of this legal action located? What if you school chooses not to show up?

As for your unmotivated students, exactly, if they don't care, why should you? Sure, they darn well should be motivated -- but you are teaching upwards of 200 of them total, and you cannot personally demonstrate to each one why learning English is indispensable. In fact, if you crack down on them too much, you might give them a negative impression of English-speakers (as they may have no contact whatsoever with English speakers besides you). You obviously take your job seriously, and I respect you for that. However, in regard to dumbing down the difficulty of the tests, think of it this way:

You sign up for a class in some tough language. Let's say it's Swahili. You study the language for a term and while you still can't have a conversation with the average Swahili dude on the street, you feel encouraged because you got a passing grade -- so you continue, which after years of study, will lead to good Swahili skills.

OR

You sign up for a Swahili class. The first test is a broadcast of two native speakers talking to each other. You understand NOTHING. You get a 25% on the test (because the whole thing is multiple choice, select the correct answer out of four). You obviously quit this program, because it sucks.

I mean, seriously, which would you rather attend? Option A is going to make your Swahili better because you don't quit it after Level 1!

Curving is not unfair to students who actually work and earn an A or B. If your highest grade is an 89, earned by someone who really earned it, he or she gets boosted up to 100!

[jeffinflorida]

[Rooster_2006]

[Worldly]

[jeffinflorida]

[jwbhomer]

Jeff, I guess you're not overly concerned about keeping your job. That's great! Tossing a grenade over your shoulder as you walk away -- so to speak -- may change things at your school. Then again, it may not. After all, "This is China." Perhaps all they'll do is find another white monkey who will be more compliant with their "suggestions".

Good luck! And keep us posted!!

[johnchina]

Jeff, perhaps you'll find some consolation in this story.

I was having a few beers with a friend who told me that his company is now shifting its production facilities to the UK from China because it's cheaper. I thought I must have mis-heard and asked my friend to repeat what he said. He did, adding that the cost of mistakes made by Chinese staff who have the qualificaions (i.e. the bits of paper) and the experience (i.e. of sitting in an office all day doing nothing), combined with the cost of trying to train these people (and would they actually learn anything anyway?), was simply too high.

The point is, businesses will (IMHO) soon find that China isn't all it's cracked up to be and a lot of that has to do with the problems in the education system (i.e. the "I sit around in class all day sleeping, texting people on my mobile, etc. and learn nothing but I've paid my money so I pass the test" attitude).

I know this attitude (sit around doing diddly-squat) isn't the attitude of every student in China, but the ones with this poor attitude are the ones most likely to end up in influential business positions (if only because daddy has the connections and cash).

Ultimately, your school is going to do what the heck it likes with regard to pass rates. If they want at least 80% to pass, I'm sure you'll find a way to make sure that those who actually do at least try to learn will be in that 80%. As long as you manage that, the rest hardly matters.

[jeffinflorida]

[Rooster_2006]

[OGFT]

Even though member countries all have similar copyright laws, they are not exactly the same. For example: the copyright laws in England and the US treat copying of a disc that was legally purchased by a consumer in two completely different ways.

[Worldly]

[Rooster_2006]