Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

Good people, but a lot of 'sleepers' in class.

Trying to get the students (average age 17 years) interested and engaged is a real challenge - most of them know very little or nothing about the outside world, making it impossible to talk about current events and world affairs, or any subject for that matter.

These are students who, one suspects, spend their free time (the little time they have) in Internet cafes, playing those stupid war games - what chance does one have with students who only demonstrate interest in those games?

There is a myth (which needs to be revised) that the Taiwanese and Chinese are bright, intelligent people - with great aptitude for book learning. In this teacher's experience, this is far from the case, and one is not impressed by the general standards on display.

The lack of curiosity and initiative are depressing aspects that one deals with on a daily basis. Most of the students one has show no interest, beyond just fooling around with their friends. Makes it very difficult for the foreign teachers.

Any information would be most welcome.

[timmyjames1976]

If I was forced by my parents to go to school after a full day of school I would be a "sleeper" too. I think by labeling the Chinese as "bright" or any other prejudicial ideal you limit your ability to fully understand the way each individual student is. There are a s many bright, and as many uninterested American, Canadian, South African, British, German, French, etc. 17 y/o students as there are Chinese. Who cares if a student spends there free time in an internet cafe? Some of your most motivated students may, so I fail to see any reason in that statement. I do see how it can be a pain in the rear when a whole class just stares at you, but the older the kids get the less teacher friendly they will be, Chinese or not. Good luck and keep your chin up. I have only a few weeks in at doing this, and I already have had a day or two when you get annoyed at the backslides.

[Finn76]

Well, I will share my experience so far...

I am a 29 year old qualified teacher (woman) from Australia.

I am currently working as an Englsh teacher at a high school (not conversation school) and the students are obviously used to being spoon fed the information and copying it from the board. This is a habit / cultural things so naturally they are not able (or willing) to take initiate or responsibility for their own learning.

I can handle kids falling asleep in class - I understand.

I can handle kids who try but are not that 'academic' that's cool - it is my job to help them.

I can hadle kids who are obviously not interested but at least sit quietly.

What I am finding it difficult to handle however is 1. Kids yelling across the oval at me infront of the whole school asking for my phone number when the very same kids will not speak a word in class. 2. Groups of boys jeering, cat calling and laughing at me yelling in my face "HELLO LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!" and not in a nice way. 3. Being put in a tin shed to teach next to the vege patch with no aircon where i have to walk past the boys urinals and it is 50C when there are free rooms inside. 4. Having the staff laugh and defend their 'cute' students when they do not know that these very same kids turn into completely different people once the Chinese teachers are not present. 5. having staff talk about me and the other 'Westerner' in the staff room in Chinese, then laugh like we are the funniest thing ever - as if we do not recognize our own name being said from 3 metres away.

I suppose the trick is to teach to the kids who want to learn and control the ones who are 15 minutes late, disrupt the class, snort, 'take the piss' loudly and spit on the floor.... in with love...

The frustrating thing is, I care about teaching. I am not in it just for the cash. I have been to Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, HongKong, so it is not like I don't have experience in an Asian culture... I suppose some things like racism are universal unfortunately and I need to grow feathers like a duck.

[Taylor]

Dear Finn 76,

Thanks for posting. It sounds like you are teaching in the wrong place. There are many more suitable places in the larger cities of Taiwan. You can find lots of private language schools that cater mostly to Elementary school students. These young children can be some of the hardest-working, sweetest students you can meet. (I've been here 8 years, by the way.)

It appears that you are teaching a third-rate high school in the countryside; such places are certain to ruin a good teacher's motivation. Always rember this: Non illigitamus carborundum - Don't let the bast.ards grind you down.

Keep us posted!

Taylor
Kaohsiung

[Finn76]

Thanks Taylor,

Considering I just had a stick thrown at my head from behind because I didn't reply to a "HHHEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!" I think you are right. Dodgy school. Wish I could break the contract, but know it would be a whole world of hassle.

[wix]

[karenannehope]

Dear Finn

I think you should break your contract. Its not as difficult or confusing as it may sound. Check out www.tealit.com - "ARC" for a detailed explanation of what to do and how to do it according to the Labour law for foreign teachers in Taiwan.

I have an ARC - I signed a one year contract but after 6 months I was still on 22 hours a week when my school had promised me that I would get more hours shortly after I started. So I broke my contract. Lost about 15,000 NT (the infamous 'deposit' which schools withold if you leave before your contract ends) but hey who cares I am making more than 15,000 NT extra a month now.

If you don't have an ARC and are a 'student' then you can just walk out any time since the school is employing you illegally in the first place and they have no recourse to the CLA to blacklist you.

Your job sounds hideous. In both schools where I have taught I have thoroughly enjoyed all my classes and students - from little kids through to adults. I teach in airconditioned classes, have an awesome staffroom to relax in and work in a very pleasant environment. I have also got along famously with my chinese co-teachers. There is absolutely no reason to stay in a position where you are being treated so badly.

LEAVE!!!

Good luck!

[Finn76]

I will talk to my recruiter - but so far I think he will do anything to keep me IN the job.

At the moment I am still on my 60 day visitor visa...

I will seriously consider your suggestion.
Much appreciated and thanks for the support!

Finn

[Taylor]

Dear Finn76,

You can demand that one of the school's staff members come to class to help maintain order.

How many students are in class? I can assure you that one foreign teacher trying to control a class of over 20 students at such a high school (countryside, lower-level) never works.

You really need to get out of there. Do you have any other friends/acquaintances in Taiwan? If so, stay in touch with them! They can surely direct you to a better place.

Sincerely,

Taylor

P.S. Feel free to send me a private message (PM), if necessary.

[Finn76]

Thanks Taylor.

No - none of my classes has a Chinese aid. I am on my own for all of them - the worst being a 'vocational' class of about 50 students who do not give a #$%^ and behave like gorillas. I am trying to 'babysit' at the least and this class inparticular is the one I am scared in. I mean, think 45 boys aged 17, (the rest girls) who between asking me for my phone number, laughing, whistling, spitting etc are looking at me like they can see through my clothes... I have asked for help, the response has been 'we will talk to the students. They should not be inpolite to you'. The other teacher's timetables are full.

Life is too short to deal with this ona day to day basis.

[Xenophobe]

If you only have a 60 day visa and haven't applied for a resident visa, then you're not legally entitled to work and therefore can't break a work contract, that in reality, doesn't exist.

[four-eye]

Just curious, were u impressed by any other kids?[/b]

[Greenislander]

Leave, there are 'better' teaching jobs around! You deserve better...use the internet www.tealit.com, http://www.buxiban.com/ Sounds like a hell hole! It's never too late to change. Move to a big city!

Must have air-con

Good luck.