Job Discussion Forums

[Ciara]

Hi guys,

So, the day before I leave, the principal requests that I bring books to teach the students.

They are Level 1 and Level 2 english. This is in a Middle School (Government regulated) and about 16-20 years old.

Can I assume that they speak very little english? Where should I get books and what kind?!

What is English Corner?!

[cimarch]

Well Ciara, book-wise I'm not so sure I can help you. There are many different books in use here but it seems that the main problem you're going to have is a hell of a lot of photocopying, unless you can get them all to buy the same book. There are a couple of threads here already about textbooks, do a search.

I teach a wide range of books but 3 main series will generally cover most levels, with a degree of overlap. The ones I use are the Cambridge Young Learners series, from pre-starter up, not much use to you, the SBS (Side by Side) series, 4 books from Pre-Intermediate up and New Interchange, 4 books from Intermediate up. (Feel free to criticise my evaluations everyone, they're only approximate). From what you say you're probably going to be teaching Senior 1 and 2, although don't trust the school, you may get Junior 1 and 2. Again, I'm not exactly sure, I quit working in Middle schools a while ago, because of these classes in fact. Middle school is comparable to Secondary school, or Junior High school in the States. The kids will vary widely in their skills, from some who can hold intelligent conversations and actively debate points with you to some who will look blankly at you if you say hello to them.

Another option is getting a couple of Teacher's books, New Timesavers for English Teachers from Mary Glasgow Magazines and Activity Box by Jean Greenwood from Cambridge University Press are very good, they're the two I use. They have photocopiable worksheets for every activity/exercise.

'English Corner' is a good idea that has been twisted and warped in China and has gone terribly, terribly wrong. It is supposed to be a time/place where people come together to speak English. Here it generally means everyone tries to talk/shout at the foreigner or sit there blankly (attempting the widespread 'passive learning' technique, if you're in the presence of a foreigner English will seep into you). The best you can probably hope for is a very wide range of levels who will watch and listen while you talk to one of them and complain afterwards that it was too hard/too easy because you talked to somebody of a different level for 5 minutes. Sorry, I'm a bit bitter, at the last English Corner my school forced me to do I had 2 kids from my Upper Intermediate class, and about 20 others right down to 2 four-year-olds, one of whom could say "My name is Annie" if prompted. They all enjoyed it but it really puts you through the wringer if you don't have enough ideas to keep them all talking. Sorry, this is turning into a rant .

[Ludwig]

There are interesting stories emerging from the Mainland these days. First we have those who must work for nothing more than their bed, then teachers who say that their proposed employer has openly refused to allow them access to current staff, and now we have teachers who must buy their very own text books! And people agree to such conditions! Outstanding!

No wonder each time I go to the Mainland I see an ever greater number of large blacked-out Mercedes. They must surely all be training centre owners.

[Roger]

I must say you owe us more input if you do expect us to give you guidance. What are you going to teach? You failed to state that; I for example teach English Writing, and my university provided me with interesting books last term but none this semester - without explanation. So, things change on the go, and you have to adjust. Luckily, I know what I can expect from my learners, and I recycle old materials.

But if you are based outside of China, you are well-advised not to bring too many textbooks. First thing - theywon't refund your costs, especially for books printed in the "expensive" west... Secondly, these books might be unsuitable for them. THirdly, - China has a huge supply of English books printed locally, many of which with the explicit permission (licence) from some foreign partner.

Lastly, don't expect Chinese 16-to-20 year olds to be able to communicate as efficiently as students of the same age group in a Western nation. Again, what are you teaching? Focus on their remedial needs - pronunciation, grammar (it's a major headachefor me), speaking and listening (the latter is extremely poor, the former is not really better).