Job Discussion Forums

goose · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 32

Currently I am working at a college, next term I am going to be working at a university. What I would like to know from people that have worked at both, what are the differences between the two?

Now I know at a college they study for 3 years and university they study for 4 years. Also the students with be the same age, but what about the motivation of the students towards English classes? I found that at the college half the class wasn't interested in being there, they just come because they had to. Is this the same at a university? Am I dreaming when I ask, at a university will all the students be motivated
studying English?

Also will the university students English be of a higher level?

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Super Mario · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 6:13 pm Post subject:

Usually the difference comes down to their entrance exam results. One weak subject will see them going to college. Often, that subject is English: you've witnessed the outcome. But not always. I had a number of very capable English speakers in college classes, especially in commerce related majors.

I doubt you'll notice a lot of difference unless you're teaching English majors.

Spiderman Too · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:45 pm Post subject:

Last year I worked at a university and this year I am at a college.

It was a so-called second-tier government university. Only English majors had lessons with foreign teachers; 30 students per class. I don't know whether this is the same at all government universities.

I taught "English for Education" and "English for Business" classes (9 + 1); 9 freshman classes and 1 sophomore class. The English ability of my freshman students was far superior to the third year college students I am now teaching. Also, their motivation / enthusiasm / participation was 10 times that of my college students.

I'm not having behavioral problems with my college students, but they are more challenging to teach and lesson plans need more thought and time to prepare. Still, the almost 50% increase in salary makes up for it.

pc-pocket · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 218

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Not trying to hijack the thread but since we are on the subject concerning colleges, does anyone still teach at a, or knows someone who teaches at a "junior college", i.e. college where students are there because they couldn't get into a senior middle school due to low entrance exam score, or at a college where there are junior college students? I was told last night by a Mongolian co-worker that as of couple years ago, China has abolished all junior colleges in order to "improve" the education system. I knew that the college I taught at in Qingdao for my first teaching job in China stopped enrolling junior college students as of last year, but I wasn't aware that it was an universal change across China.

erinyes · Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 272 Location: GuangDong, GaoZhou

TW,

There is a junoir college in the town where we work called an Agricultural College. The students that graduate from there don't go on to University, they go to work.

I didn't know they were trying to abolish Junior Colleges, but if they were it woudn't mean anything in this town. There are no laws here.

Helen.

pc-pocket · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 218

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

erinyes · Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 272 Location: GuangDong, GaoZhou

goose · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 32

Ok so I take from the answers that they working at colleges and universities are much the same. But what about the students motivation? Here at the college maybe half the class were interested while the rest would rather watch TV or so something like that. Is that the same at universities? Will I walk into the class and have 40 students all ready to study English? Or will I get pretty much the same as I have while working at my current college?

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

The students are solely motivated by the idea that getting a pass grade from a FT is virtually assured, and unfortunately this preconceived notion is not toally wrong. I refuse to please the slackers and opportunists, but it isn't easy to do so since these students are likely to argue with you over their marks!
I run my classes somewhat differently from how we would do that in a western university: I even take attendance, and they have to supply a stamped request for leave; all manage to secure such a paper though their excuses are absurdly varied at times: going for a job interview (not allowed!); taking driving lessons (not allowed!); staying home to "watch VCDs" (you guess whether that is allowed!). Sick? Sometimes, but not as often as one would expect; in any case these reasons for their absences prove they are creative only in finding excuses for not coming to class!
Anbd don't fool yourself into thinkin they appreciate a good hand at guiding them to English fluency; they aren't shy in telliong you "we don't want this" or "we don't like this".

In the end you must make your own decision, but you will hardly be happy with the materials provided, and even less so with the cooperation you get from the majority of students.
The best way - in my humble opinion - is to set strict goals that you know the dedicated learners will master at the end of the term and the lazy bums will not.
I do a lot of remedial work and my students must take notes; they must memorise poems or songs and understand them;. I don't do "discussions" with them unless they really show an inclination to do that - which only English majors occasionally do.
There is so much else for them to perfect, so you don't really have to worry!