Job Discussion Forums

[mcloo7]

Many people suggest universities as being the best places to work. From what Ive heard there is not much of a pre-written curriculum and the teacher has to design the course his/herself. My question is, is this even possible for a complete beginner? Is it better to take your first job at a training center, to gain some teaching experience, before you are left to your own devices at a university?


Sorry, this topic has been broached in other threads, but I havent seen a thread specifically about this. One I started awhile ago, similar to this, has lost its legs.

[Non Sequitur]

Certainly.
Look for schools not in the big cities or even in provincial capitals.
2nd tier provincial cities are still many millions in pop.
Look at vocational colleges also.
Really not much difference in salary or conditions unis v vocationals.
Hiring for Sept start will begin next month.

[mcloo7]

Thanks. I don't mean "is it possible to get hired as a newbie?". I mean, is it possible to do an effective job, considering you don't have teaching experience, or experience writing lesson plans, and/or designing curricula? And if so, how?

[roadwalker]

I think it is better to get some experience in a language mill, provided that mill is a good place for new teachers to get some direction. A crappy mill might be the worst alternative of all.

I don't like the communicative method much, but I did learn some valuable things with tefl training and working in a language school to the extent that I did work in them. Look for a place that mentions things like "teacher development" and holds staff meetings for best practices, new ideas. Or at least where a new teacher can bend the ear of an experienced teacher or three. Spend some time in one of these places and you won't be thrown for a loop at the end of a university class when a student or a Chinese teacher asks some random grammar question.

On the other hand, Chinese university students, particularly English majors can often recognize correct grammar or usage on a multiple choice exam, if not speak or write well. Your main function as a foreign teacher (teaching oral English) is to get them to speak more fluently. You will be correcting grammar as you go, and introducing a few structures, but not to the same extent as at a language school. Confidence is what you are trying to give most of them.

And you do usually get some kind of crappy book. It can serve as a syllabus at least and you can get better materials on the net or you can write better dialogues, etc. If you don't receive a book, you can still get materials from the 'net or find a text book. There are threads on Dave's about which textbooks are good, etc.

[7969]

[mcloo7]

I have The Grammar Book by Murcia and Freeman, and Learning Teaching by Scrivener

[hilena_westb]

Just as you expect a doctor or lawyer to have an actual, proper education, experience, and credentials, so too would you expect a teacher. As all professions and knowledge originate from education, it only makes sense that teachers should possess the same qualifications. It's the "Laissez-faire" attitude, or the I'm useless to world frame-of-mind, that makes the profession as much of a joke as it appears to be by the students as well as the teachers themselves. Enforce some standards in yourself and maybe things will improve.

That being said, you are likely to get a job anywhere except tier 1 schools - often requiring master degrees, etc. As stated elsewhere, SHOULD you have the job and be entrusted to "educate" in your state. Teaching is supposed to be a profession and not the "hey, it might be cool to do this for a few months" thing it seems to be from folks I meet here.

[Non Sequitur]

[xiguagua]

I always say that it's best to start out in high school or junior school to get a feel for things and to see where the university students come from. I learned so many things that were invaluable for when I moved up to University. Many bugs and kinks were worked out during that time. I've seen a lot of first timers go directly to university and have some trouble because they don't have sense of whats going on or where the students came from. Seeing firsthand how horrible gaokao is kinda helps to understand things a little better.

Obviously you can be successful without this experience, but for me, it was invaluable.

[mcloo7]

[xiguagua]

high school jobs can be found online the same way a lot of times. I did my high school time through a recruiter that sounds similar to what you described though, which isn't necessarily a bad thing depending on the recruiter.....gotta be careful. Primaries are generally more difficult though.

My school year is going into it's 5th week (out of 1 so it's not even halfway finished yet, but obviously it takes time to get here, so maybe you'd get here at about the halfway mark or later, but that's ok. You'd sign a one year contract until next summer. You'd probably get at least one paid month during the summer and there is lots of work at training schools around too for extra income. There's always travel too.

[mcloo7]

[xiguagua]