Job Discussion Forums

[johntpartee]

I don't use the term "backpacker teacher" very often (if ever), but when I hear it used it is obvious what the person is talking about. It most definitely does NOT mean a teacher who carries a backpack. Narrowly construed is the key here. It is a derogatory term and unfortunately apropos and all too common.

[Lobster]

[RPMcMurphy]

[quote="Lobster"]

[chinadad]

Truth of the matter is - even after 13 years on the job - you're basically employed at the same level as your "1 year contract and out of the country" teacher.
Because -
1. your contract is always up for renewal at the end of the year - just takes a minor dispute, change of managers, or a decision that they want a younger model - and you're out. The long-term uncertainty of this job - never knowing what will happen next year is always in backs of the FT mind - whether she be short-stay or super long-termer. Get the sack and you again land on square one.

2. your professional status never grows - you're always employed because you're white, never to be included in any real process of management - that's always undertaken by a set of Chinese superiors who often seem to regard the FT as a business rather than teaching tool. A professional dead end - that's geared to short term teachers. The minority of FT's who are here for multiple years - could find the aspect, of not being taken very seriously at the workplace, particularly tiring.

3. unless you have pensions and health care sorted out back home - on most Chinese FT wages you're never going get them sorted here. The prospect of being old in China is scarey - which also goes for bringing up children - who in their right mind would want their children to attend Chinese schools - how many FT's earn enough to send children to some sort of alternative education?????

China is a country where the normal FT only stays a year or 2 - hence the probable poor standards of teaching - something that's probably highlighted in the report. Somebody who taught here for 13 years would certainly not be representative of a typical FT - after all they could have other types of issues clouding their performance and careers.

[RPMcMurphy]

[Lobster]

I was a teacher in the west long before I came to China. I've been a teacher for over 25 years.

Perhaps one is in the situation described, worrying about contract renewal, money, management input, being taken seriously, pensions or other issues "clouding performance or career", but that's you, not me, and not others. It seems there is little to no hesitation about making assumptions about others' situations or projecting one's own experiences, fears and career situations onto others.

[RPMcMurphy]

[fat_chris]

I'd be interested in thumbing through this book to see what the author asserts. With that being said, I wouldn't expend any energy in going out of my way to get a copy of this..."tome". If I were to come across it by chance, I would give it a few minutes of my time, but I wouldn't be interested in sitting down with it for an extended period of time, nor would I be overly interested in giving it too deep of a thought.

As was said above by another poster, I prefer to focus more serious and concerted efforts on readings that will help me improve my teaching and help me to better serve my students and fellow teachers, i.e., the ole' "How to Teach Academic Writing" sort of thang.

Just my knee jerk reaction to it and a bit of my two jiao.

Warm regards,
fat_chris

[chinadad]

[johntpartee]

[Lobster]

[fat_chris]

[chinadad]

[Denim-Maniac]

^^^^ agree. But I dont pay more than �15 for any book (and �15 is pushing it!). That price is waaaay higher than Id ever be willing to pay.

[chinadad]