Job Discussion Forums

lesgrin · Joined: 20 May 2005 Posts: 27

hello

go_ABs · Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 507

Weeeeell,

First of all, if you're going to organise it, I'm out. "to form an association of english teachers in china improve" is a shocking mangling of the language, and doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

But then, are you proposing an English teacher's association, or a foreign English teacher's association?

Secondly, you've only been here a short time. Since the 20th of May you've asked people for information about jobs in France, Japan, HK and China. Which makes me wonder if you're really in 'Gingdao'.

So I have my doubts that you're for real. And if you're not for real then you've got faaar too much spare time. If you are... well, I for one need a bit more convincing.

Sorry for the cynicism, but there you are. Keep on grinning, Les. Very Happy

Cheers.

burnsie · Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 489 Location: Beijing

A friend of mine has a teacher development forum in Beijing. Check out the website.

http://tdf.newdirections.biz/index.htm

I am sure this is limited to people in Beijing but I am sure he is willing to help in setting up others in other cities.

It is more centred on developing the teacher not the other way around. I think we have more chance to change ourself rather than changing the system.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Are you aware of the risks and legalities of such an undertaking?

In theory, even a meeting of more than 3 (or is it 5?) people need approval from the PSB...

Foreign Devils running their own, Party-independent labour union???
Help! The neo-imperialists are coming back!

tony lee · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 79 Location: Australia

Roger has one good reason why it won't work and the other reason is that a very high percentage of foreign teachers are not interested in staying in China and making a career out of it. One or two years and they have had more than enough and head back to the comforts of home.

AND a majority of that majority are reasonably well off even back home so they really don't give two hoots about the salary or any conditions other than to be reasonably comfortable while they are here.

JamesD · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:52 am Post subject:

Any plan with the aim of improving contract condidtions for the teacher would have to also address the distressing lack of qualifications of the people who come here to teach.
Many private schools will hire any warm western body with a diploma, and for some schools you can slide on the degree. If there ever comes a time when only fully qualified/experienced teachers are hired then would be the time to start making noise about conditions.

Meanwhile, it's hard to convince the powers that be you are serious when most of the "teachers" here are not certified or even basically trained in the field of education.

tony lee · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 79 Location: Australia

wonderd · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 68 Location: Shanghai, China

You know, when I first came to Shanghai, in the beginning, I have to be honest and say that I didn't really enjoy it. I had taught in other countries before, as well as in my home country, Canada.

I don't know what I expected, but it certainly wasn't what I got. The classes were packed with students. Whenever I moved desks around and tried to fix up the classroom, I would always find it all moved back again the next day. The students were a lot harder to control than my previous experiences. It was hard, and it was frustrating.

But I adjusted. I learned from others, tried new things, and found things that just seemed to work well for me in my classes. Are things perfect now? Not by a longshot.

But what you are suggesting seems, well, over the top. Sure I think the Chinese educational system could use some fixing. Sure I think there are things they could learn from foreign education. I think that's one of the reasons they have adopted the policy to try to hire foreign teachers.

And yes, I completely agree that if a reform is to be done, it will mean cleaning up the foreign teachers that they have here now. I mean, I've seen fantastic, wonderful teachers with no previous experience. One of my colleagues, for example, never had a day of teaching prior coming to China. But now, I would say she is at the top of my list for teachers I've met.

At the same time, I've seen and heard about a lot of foreign teachers that really don't know what they're doing. They go to an elementary school and lecture or they go to a university and simply sit down and talk about their life with the students.

I think you should spend more time in China, and try to develop your teaching style here before you jump to the conclusion that China's education system is terrible and needs reform.

Good luck to you on your campaign, but I don't think you will find many people agree with you or are willing to join this rebellion.

Bet · Joined: 14 May 2004 Posts: 354

Just wanted to say that the website Burnsie mentioned is well worth a look.

I don't understand the last poster's comments - the OP is just talking about contracts ?

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

[quote="tony lee"]

peabocardigan · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 63

Forming labour-unions in China is illegal. We might get away with a lot of things here, but that kind of undertaking is doomed to fail from the get-go. Not a good idea!

eslLori · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 12

Being a real degreed educator from California,where one must go to graduate school (no BEd in Calif). and holding a Master Degree in Education, I can see the problems in Chinese education. Having been in the Cal Teachers Asso. I know it was about pension funds and politics, with a little left over for benefits.
Not a good idea folks. This is Sinoland not back home.
Just try and do the best you can with what you've got...