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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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 Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 4:57 am Post subject: |
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| scarab1169 wrote: |
Rooster,
I made a post here earlier - but deleted it. I had and still have a lot of gripes with Hess, but I'm not even sure if it's worth it to air out. I want to say this to you :
If they are having problems in your first month of teaching about timing, they are looking for unnecasary reasons to critisize. NO ONE- even experienced people can get their "TIMING ACCORDING TO HESS" spot on in the first month. If they want to "GET YOU FIRED" because of that - well that won't stand in court. That being said - yes you're right , they are anoying about timing, but yeah like you said it doesn't matter wheter your students might need more practise with a certain thing. Unfortunatelly, Hess isn't interested in learning students anything - it's just a big sausage machine. If we are finished with today's lesson we're done - doesn't matter if the students actually know that thing you just taught them or can use it in real life.
Second - I think you're making the typical rookie mistake - overplanning. 2 to 3 hours before class for lessons that are already laid out for you - lad, it ain't worth it. Take it from someone who's been there, done that. It just isn't worth it. It sounds like I maybe didn't care. I did. I was like you - I really wanted to do a good job. I dreamed of making a difference in theses kids lives. I soon discovered, that Hess simply doesn't care about things like this.You're expendable - and just another face in the crowd to them. As long as you show up on time, have done your "lesson plans", thought of a game or two or even 3 to play in class, did the class, graded the homework and did your part - please do not waste your time by giving them so much of your time. Like you said - there are a lot of times that you have to do things where you don't get paid for it. When I got more experience, I only did a small summary of my lessons on a sticky note on the outside of the first book - i.e what book, what pages, ect. It simply isn't worth it, and you'll have a breakdown if you continue this way. I did and I wanted to go home, but thankfully my branch manager talked to me and I turned around and started enjoying Taiwan and life here, and I made it and here I am - still in Taiwan, at another fantastic school where I can actually teach kids - not just let them drill and repeat.
So please- relax! Take my advise and just do it.
Good luck for you - hope everything works out. |
Thank you. It's really refreshing to read a post from someone who worked for Hess who isn't saying "WE'RE THE BEST! WE'RE ELITE! WE WERE HAND-PICKED AND HAVE AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TASK BEFORE US WHICH CANNOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY! NO ONE, EVEN AMONG OUR RANKS DARE QUESTION US!"
I will try not to overplan. Believe me, I'd love to spend as little time as possible in there. Especially around this one particular co-worker -- always dispensing advice to me "because you're young and I have a lot of years saying ____." Jesus, she annoys me. Only been here three months (until then she was a real estate agent in the US), never taught before her three months at Hess, and she thinks she contains all the secrets for a guy who's been teaching for two years and lived in Asia for eight. God I'm starting to hate that place already because of her. Trouble is, I need the money. I would have taken another job, but the market in Kaohsiung sucks so much and I couldn't find another one!
I know that Hess' method is flawed seeing as how we never give anyone less than a 26/30 on oral exams (it's basically company policy) and how basically everyone moves up at the end of the level. I knew that before I even started teaching. And I'm willing to obey, as long as I get paid and don't get fired, because I'm desperate. However, when they threaten to take away my livelihood, that's when I get really pissed.
Man, I guess I should start looking elsewhere in case they can me. And even if they don't, maybe I'll find a better place. |
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123Loto
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 160
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| Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 7:03 am Post subject: |
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Hi Rooster,
Sounds like you are doing it tough... if you are interested in any advice I'd be happy to oblige! We could PM or post here so other people might be able to get something out of it.
Best of luck! |
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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I got fired. I wonder how many Hess teachers get fired in the first 1.5 months counting initial teacher training?
I tried to adapt, to incorporate their suggestions. I wanted to work at Hess longer. I always clocked in at least 30 minutes before lessons (usually more like 2 ~ 3 hours before) and with the exception of ONE class (big mistake), I always prepared for classes quite extensively during my evaluation period.
I guess that's just not good enough anymore.
I guess a teacher who never misses a class, who goes through all the steps, who prepares, who doesn't show up to work drunk or with bad hygiene, and who makes an honest effort to adapt and not say "I'm CELTA-certified, f--- you, I'm going to do it this way" just isn't good enough anymore.
I know the EFL industry has needed higher standards to keep out the trash, but man, those standards must have skyrocketed since the recession started... |
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scarab1169
Joined: 07 Jun 2007
Posts: 42
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| Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:47 am Post subject: |
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Rooster,
DON'T let your Hess experience govern your feelings about the EFL industry in Taiwan. Hess in not the beginning and end of all. I think they let you go cause of stupid reasons. Hess's standards are very difficult to achieve-by that I'm not saying I was a bad teacher or you are. In their eyes, you'll never be good enough. My personality and style would have never worked in the sausage maching that's Hess. The school I'm currently at, suits me like a glove. I'm resopnsible for all my classes- there's no CT in class, only me and me alone. That means, I know all my students. I know what is going in on their lives - they can actually speak to me and tell me about things. Their Egnlish isn't perfect, but they can make comprehensible sentences and tell me about their lives. That also means I need to teach them to the best of my abilities - I need to convy in my style, a specific point. And believe me, I've also made mistakes, but I could reflect on that and you know what; I've had to teach some of the things I've already done in other classes and I've imroved on the previous time I did it. I ain't perfect , but I learn. I reflect on things. At Hess, I became like a robot and I couldn't let me be me.
Hess wants robots. That's probably why newbies work so well with them. People with more experience or that are older in age, don't work so well with them The reason I never really fell for all the corporate selling and "We're the best and don't you dare question us" is because I'm older, and I also had a TEFOL certificate under my belt. So , I know how it's supposed to be - certainly not the sauage machine Hess is.
I don't think the standars in TEFL in Taiwan has been raised. It's still the same, because if it has been raised, Hess wouldn't get away with their crap curriculum and pracitses of advancing students despite them not being able to pass. Take this experience with Hess as a possitive,because
you didn't end up with an employer that would take everything from you and almost give nothing back.
Good luck to you - I really hope you get a decent job. Have you checked out Koahsiung Living yet? There are a couple of positions going on there. |
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123Loto
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 160
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| Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 2:36 am Post subject: |
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| Rooster_2006 wrote: |
Well, I got fired. I wonder how many Hess teachers get fired in the first 1.5 months counting initial teacher training?
I tried to adapt, to incorporate their suggestions. I wanted to work at Hess longer. I always clocked in at least 30 minutes before lessons (usually more like 2 ~ 3 hours before) and with the exception of ONE class (big mistake), I always prepared for classes quite extensively during my evaluation period. |
I believe you - and this whole scenario therefore confuses me. There are two ways to become in breach of contract at Hess. The first is Teaching Quality and the other is Professional Conduct. They are two distinct and seperate problems. Did anyone explain to you what was specifically wrong with your actions, either in training or at your branch? This would be standard operating procedure; it is designed to give the teacher the most chance of success (on the logic that a successful teacher equals successful students).
| Quote: |
I guess that's just not good enough anymore.
I guess a teacher who never misses a class, who goes through all the steps, who prepares, who doesn't show up to work drunk or with bad hygiene, and who makes an honest effort to adapt and not say "I'm CELTA-certified, f--- you, I'm going to do it this way" just isn't good enough anymore. |
It doesn't make sense to get rid of a teacher that fits your description above. However, I would understand if you would prefer not to provide more information to protect your anonymity.
| Quote: |
| I know the EFL industry has needed higher standards to keep out the trash, but man, those standards must have skyrocketed since the recession started... |
You don't sound like trash to me. My best advice for you now that it's too late to save your job is to put the whole experience behind you. Your posts come of as sounding intelligent and measured (bried periods of CAPS LOCK FEVER aside) so there is no reason I can see in your internet writing why you wouldn't find another job quickly.
Hess isn't right for everyone (I still,however, reject many of the more ridiculous sausage factory analogies  ) but there are still plenty of other ways for you to positively influence education in Taiwan.
My sympathy goes with you Rooster; I hope you get up, dust yourself off and focus on re-building your life here.
Good luck! |
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123Loto
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 160
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| Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 2:41 am Post subject: |
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| scarab1169 wrote: |
Rooster,
DON'T let your Hess experience govern your feelings about the EFL industry in Taiwan. Hess in not the beginning and end of all. I think they let you go cause of stupid reasons. Hess's standards are very difficult to achieve-by that I'm not saying I was a bad teacher or you are. In their eyes, you'll never be good enough. My personality and style would have never worked in the sausage maching that's Hess. The school I'm currently at, suits me like a glove. I'm resopnsible for all my classes- there's no CT in class, only me and me alone. That means, I know all my students. I know what is going in on their lives - they can actually speak to me and tell me about things. Their Egnlish isn't perfect, but they can make comprehensible sentences and tell me about their lives. That also means I need to teach them to the best of my abilities - I need to convy in my style, a specific point. And believe me, I've also made mistakes, but I could reflect on that and you know what; I've had to teach some of the things I've already done in other classes and I've imroved on the previous time I did it. I ain't perfect , but I learn. I reflect on things.
Good luck to you - I really hope you get a decent job. Have you checked out Koahsiung Living yet? There are a couple of positions going on there. |
The advice to find a school that will suit you is very good advice indeed. Thanks for sharing your experience in such a way as to give Rooster encouragement for what to do next! I especially like your descriptions of how to handle set backs - learning from them, reflecting on them and recognizing them for what they are: opportunities. |
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krizchin
Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:54 am Post subject: |
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| StayingPower wrote: |
They make things as consternating as possible as if to seem erudite, then find englightened folk better than them and feel offended.
Their stockpile is to overwhelm you with over assertive trainers who barrage you with words amidst a cultural fear of being here. Propaganda is easiest begun at the nascent stage of a beginner,. ie child, conditioning you to obey more. Then they slip immoral choices by handing you dishonest decisions you can't make without losing their sugar-daddy relationship.
Their owner's also avoiding offshore taxes, something which could be found out. |
It's like thesaurus just threw up  |
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kzprivate
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:20 am Post subject: |
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Is Hess one of the few schools that would hire foreigners without a face-to-face interview?
Also, are there any asian-foreigner teachers in the school? |
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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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| Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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I just want to inform you guys that Hess has refused to do the "Cancel Contract Agreement" with me until Saturday.
They've told me they're cancelling my ARC on Monday. This gives me less than one business day to go to the correct government agency and fill out the proper paperwork, because government agencies are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Of course I can fly to Hong Kong at my own expense, apply for a visitor visa at my own expense, and come back to Taiwan, reapply for another brand new ARC, and wait ANOTHER month (during which I will have no health coverage, and won't be able to use basic services like the DMV or the public library).
Man, what a headache.
I tried to leave Hess amicably, I really did. However, they're throwing up every possible roadblock to me moving on with my life. Not only have they fired me, they've decided they're going to make it as difficult as possible to work for anyone else in Taiwan, either! How petty!
I'm still teaching my classes at Hess, still preparing, and still grading homework. I'm trying to take the high road here. Hess is not reciprocating this at all.
It's a miserable situation and I can't wait for it to be over. Man, I hope my application for a new work permit is accepted on Monday... |
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steve_c
Joined: 25 Nov 2006
Posts: 96
Location: Luzhu (or Lujhu or Luchu or...sigh)
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| Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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Just incredible.
I was never one to accept all the Hess-bashing at face value, but this kind of treatment does make me question Hess' operating procedures and their management's ethics.
Hang in there, Rooster--here's hoping something good is waiting for you at the end of all of this. |
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milkweedma
Joined: 19 Nov 2006
Posts: 151
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| Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:41 am Post subject: |
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According to their job info, if you take up the NT 30,000 loan, this company will look after your passport until you pay back the loan within 6 months.
Confiscating someones passport like this, anywhere in the world is HIGHLY ILLEGAL. Give Hess a miss. They sound like an absolute nightmare to work for. |
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prettykimmie
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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| IM SO SORRY TO HEAR WHAT IS HAPPENING TO YOU, ROOSTER. PLEASE KEEP US UPDATED ON YOUR PROGRESS. |
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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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| milkweedma wrote: |
According to their job info, if you take up the NT 30,000 loan, this company will look after your passport until you pay back the loan within 6 months.
Confiscating someones passport like this, anywhere in the world is HIGHLY ILLEGAL. Give Hess a miss. They sound like an absolute nightmare to work for. |
Well, to be fair, when I paid the loan back, they gave it back to me right away, on the spot...
I mean, it was our choice whether or not to accept the loan, and we knew before accepting it that our passport would be used as collateral, so this part didn't bother me.
Still, given my personal experience, I have to agree with the other part of what you wrote. |
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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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| prettykimmie wrote: |
| IM SO SORRY TO HEAR WHAT IS HAPPENING TO YOU, ROOSTER. PLEASE KEEP US UPDATED ON YOUR PROGRESS. |
Thank you, prettykimmie.
I think things are finally starting to work themselves out, after mounting quite an epic paper chase to get all the documents necessary to apply for work permits for my jobs at Amigo School and Kaohsiung Korean School (the CLA needs to see all the documents all over again, including documents that they kept the first time around, like an original medical check).
Somehow, miraculously, I found a new full-time job (Amigo School) within 72 hours, applied for the work permit within 96 hours, and just got the work permit letter on Wednesday.
I'll take it to the immigration office tomorrow morning (the immigration officer said I'd be fine as long as I bring my work permit letter in within 15 days of receiving it), and hopefully all my problems will be solved.
Man, this has been one roller coaster of a last 30 days. I'm just so glad that things seem to have worked out. I'm still in Taiwan. I didn't have to go to Hong Kong. I started at the new school the Monday after I was fired.
I fully intend, once this is all finished, to write a sticky for this forum titled "How to Survive a Firing in Taiwan," because up-to-date information is lacking. |
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steve_c
Joined: 25 Nov 2006
Posts: 96
Location: Luzhu (or Lujhu or Luchu or...sigh)
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 3:52 am Post subject: |
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| Man, this has been one roller coaster of a last 30 days. I'm just so glad that things seem to have worked out. I'm still in Taiwan. I didn't have to go to Hong Kong. I started at the new school the Monday after I was fired. |
Glad to hear you stuck it out and things are looking better. |
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