Job Discussion Forums

Nobuhle · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 17 Location: Xi'an, China

Hi,

I have been offered a job at Chang'an University in Xi'an? Has anybody heard of the University? Have any opinions about it?

I have a couple of questions about teaching English in general at universities. Are you given syllabi or are you expected to create them yourself? Are there resources for you to use in the classroom or are you expected to bring your own things to the school? How much are you supervised by the heads of departments? What kind of discretion do you have in choosing teaching material or the manner in which you teach it? I have gotten the impression that teachers at universities are pretty much on their own and that there is not too much supervision.

Any insight people can provide would be wonderful.

Thanks

MyTurnNow · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Outer Shanghai

Nobuhle,
I've heard of it but don't know particulars.
Afraid all I can offer is an unhelpful "helpful" reply...

The one thing that is consistent about China is its inconsistency. Unless you can find someone who has taught recently at the same school and the same department, no answer you receive is likely to offer you a lot of reliable help.

Best plan? Be ready for anything. Be prepared to accept the structure if there is one, but also have a backup plan...think about your own syllabus, materials, etc. in case there is no structure.

MT

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

"Chang'an" is the historic name of Xi'an, so CHang'an Uni is Xi'an University. Expect nothing spectacular in the way of how it's run.
I have NEVER seen a syllabus, nor heard of any, anywhere in CHina, at any level! I found this somewhat entertaining years ago when I first set foot inside a college, but I have grown used to it.
What did surprise me was when people asked me to design a teaching plan. Well and good - if you don't know where your students stand in English, nor what the objective of their English lessons is, how are you going to desing a teaching plan?
BUt don't worry! You are most olikely going to do "conversational English", so you can do anything your kids like (not what you like, though).
Don't bring too much Western stuff with you - they might confiscate it as spiritually polluting imports!

randyj · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2003 12:03 pm Post subject:

Concerning the teaching of English in universities, a teacher in China in general should expect to supply his or her own materials and curricula. As Roger said, we usually teach conversation, which we do best. Sometimes a school will provide a new teacher with material from previous instructors. As for subject matter, avoid topics involving religion or politics. For example, I would not assign a debate on the one-family-one-child policy. Students give school administrators plenty of feedback about teacher performance, so administrators believe they have a pretty good idea of teacher effectiveness, even though the teacher may not see any evidence of administration presence in the classroom.

juneinchina · Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Posts: 9 Location: Guangzhou, CHINA

Hi, I've been in Guangzhou for 8 weeks. Teaching College 20 yo's. And yes, I experienced all the above difficulties...found no system or guidance...just "get in there and teach, all you have to do is talk..." Sure! Oh, and then be ready for complaints when you do what is not expected (the work is too hard, the work is too easy...I got both at the beginning!).
After trying several formats I now use dvd's of the TV drama 'Felicity' (45 mins) available here, (sets of 5, with 4 episodes on each), and then we discuss, they write me essays for homework (short, but their own opinion..hmm), and the scripts and synopsi are available on the net, so we use those for roles plays, which makes for a bit of hilarity.
I mix in a bit of more academic stuff too... as I have a few who want to try for band 6 of IELTS. For that I use the standard books. The Chinese bookstores here stock heaps of books on learning English (it's mostly dated stuff, but still useful). Hope these few details help...
Good luck.

juneinchina · Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Posts: 9 Location: Guangzhou, CHINA

...yes. I guess we can't please all people all the time. I've got a pretty thick skin and I'm here for a short time, so if I cop any criticism, I'll just think,"I'm outta here in a few weeks". It's been very interesting...

HappyTown · Joined: 13 Apr 2003 Posts: 14 Location: China

Yeah, there is a school of thought here that 'Oral English' simply involves turning up and having a friendly chat with the students for ninety minutes...our wai ban once said that oral classes don't require any preparation time, and once when the photocopier was broken and my planned IELTS class went out the window with five minutes notice,(my fault for leaving it so late) my supervisor suggested i simply give an 'oral class' instead. Unbelievably at my college there are also some foreign teachers who go along with this and who never seem to plan lessons. All I can say is that they must like the sound of their own voice alot, because it will be them doing most of the talking...

yaco · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 473

I would feel priviedged if I had access to a DVD player.

I bring in my laptop to use DVD's ( when required ). These are DVD's purchased by myself and other foreign teachers.

The issue, I find in China is not having access to teaching resources. The foreign teachers must be very resourceful and plan for any contingencies ( sorry I used the word plan ).

My wish is that my college has more resources !!!!!!!!!