Job Discussion Forums

[pandasteak]

I'm curious.

Having read this article about Abuse of Foreign Teachers (orginally posted on another thread), and based on my own experience and knowledge of many foreign teacher horror stories, I was just wondering---

What kinda ratio do we have here?

How many angry bitter teachers are kickin' around? And how many are perfectly satisfied with their situation?

Vote now!
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Update (Aug17)
Wow. I'm pretty surprised with the results so far. Seem to be way more positive stories than negative ones, which is not the imbalance I anticipated. Very useful info. Thanks everyone.

I'm gonna tie this post in with a blog post China ESL for Dumb*sses , which will hopefully help out some people when they come to China.

[adamsmith]

First job - The headaches piled on due to inefficiencies, heavy rotation of the chinese staff, both office and teaching, student disciplinary problems were absolutely horrendous. The accomodations were not bad but the curfew and locked up gates made me feel like I was living in a monastery. The students were having more action than me that was for sure. Stuck it out - don't know how, but I survived it.

Second Job - much better in terms of organization and staff support. Students were not keen on learning much even though I was teachin g businees foundation courses and they were on their way overseas after my courses. They just expected me to give them the answers to the tests so that they could get a high mark and do no work/study. Did not happen so they complained. Accomodation sucked - smaller than the average sized cheap hotel rooms in china with less furniture. But the pay made up for it.

Third job - no longer working for chinese schools - now work for overseas school in a quality control capacity with chinese schools - love it.

[mandu]

I have been here in shenzhen 5 and a half years and i have been pretty lucky with my teaching jobs,paid on time,each kindergarten i have worked at i finished my contracts,each job i have had my pay went up.

the job i have now i really like and its a challenge so iam satisfied with my situation.

[ColinA]

My kids tell me that a lot of our Chinese DVD collection is either pixelating or not working at all. The video shop suggested that DVDs need a polish from time to time due to oxidation.
Oh well, since we've got digital pay TV there are more movie Channels than anyone could watch in a lifetime. Come to think of it, there must be at least one other reason for going to China three time. it must have been my love for CCTV or maybe I've got alzheimer's.
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Anyone reckon I could sell 300 dvds on Ebay?

[Tezcatlipoca]

First position: Underpaid and inefficient as all Chinese offices are. Not awful, but not good either.

Second position: Just horrendous. See the Apex review thread.

Third position: Hard work, but the pay is good and it's a productive environment.



Overall, I still can't wait to get out of this country because the second position was just so bad (even two months later, they're still screwing me over). But, I'm here until a visa is procured for my lady.

[kev7161]

I had to vote "just so-so" due to not having an "other" category. Currently, my school where I work is pretty darn good. There've been a few lows from time to time, but OVERALL not too bad. My first school started off as a decent job, but quickly declined into teaching hell. Summer jobs over the past five summers have been hit or miss, but a PT language school job in Hangzhou (Dell International - - plug-plug!) was top notch. I'm sure if I still lived there, that would probably be my go to place now. So, average score for all teaching experiences combined? C+

[Ariadne]

Call me Pollyanna, but I chose #4.

First position, excellent. I had a nice little apartment with a balcony on campus. There were several really interesting and fun fellow FT's, although there were also a few wackos. I enjoyed teaching. Most of my students were willing to get involved in class, but there were a few who must have slept through all their previous English Language instruction. The pay was fine and I was able to use a fair bit of it for travel. I was lucky to get to know several local people who helped me to better understand the whole 'life in China' experience.

Second position, coming up in just over a week. I've spent the last year at home looking after my new grandbaby. I'm headed to a different province this time. It will be fun to get to know a new place and the people there. I expect that the new university will be quite similar to the last one, but there are bound to be a few snags and surprizes. I'm excited and delighted about returning to China.

.

[petergunn]

5 is my vote. I'm quite happy in China. There are problems, for sure, but they remain small unless you dwell on them.

[frank d]

My answer all depends on what day it is� Truly!

After three years (and several teaching jobs) in China, I�ve had numerous (countless, perhaps?) frustrations and infuriating episodes with schools, �administrators� and/or �managers.�

BUT!

I love my students � they are always a pleasure no matter where I teach, and I love Chinese people in general. I find lots of rewards, adventure, and intrigue while teaching and living in China, and honesty hope to find a way to stay here forever; but the often unethical and unprofessional working conditions can sometimes become intolerable.

Sorry, I can�t choose from these selections, because all of them are apt in different working situations � so I choose �none of the above.� Many thanks pandasteak, for making this poll available, but it can�t accurately reflect my experience.

Lots of interesting comments though, from everyone!

[hairuo]

I would chose #5, too. Not because of a Chinese wife or girlfriend, or Chinese husband or boyfriend, either. I spent most of my 4 1/2 years teaching at one college in Xiangfan. It was pretty decent. In the last year the hierarchy changed and things are going downhill there....more hours and less pay. More lies from the leaders, that type of thing. So I chose to move on to another area, get to know a different part of China...see something new. I like living in China, and I have really good Chinese friends. So I think #5 is my choice.

[latefordinner]

Number 6, all of the above (yet none of them is accurate). As with Kev and Frank d, the experiences have just been that varied. I can't speak for others, but the fact that I'm back for more says a lot. In my case that I have married and made my bed here.

[ColinA]

5 - I'm here to stay. Chinese girlfriend/wife. I won't be going home anytime soon
6. I came here from a failed relationship hoping to get lucky.
7. Still looking, but why buy a book when you can join a library.
8. I brought my wife home in January. After 3 days she said she was going to see a friend. I haven't seen her or the $20,000 from our bank account since. (Police say there are many similar stories- from Ch 9's "A Current Affair", last week)
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One man's folly is another man's wife.
Helen Rowland (1876 - 1950)

[no_exit]

I answered staying here, although it is a boyfriend in the equation, rather than a girlfriend (I'm a woman, not a gay dude by the way). I should say I'm here for the next few years at least, rather than forever, because I'm not at the stage in my life where I'm ready to say "this is it, I'm never leaving this place." I've got a steady job, a bit invested in my school (but not enough to keep me from leaving if it came down to it), and my boyfriend wouldn't have an easy time of it in the States, whereas in Kunming he has a job, saving that mean something here (but wouldn't divided by 8 ...), an aging father, and more opportunity in general. For now, this is as good a place as any, but that could change. When, for example, we have school age kids, I wouldn't want to send those kids to Chinese primary school, or middle/high school for that matter. That will probably be the definite end of living in China, if something else doesn't come up before then.

[Leon Purvis]

FAO is okay. It is as helpful as one can expect.

In my present employment, the foreign language department liaison is an antagonistic jerk who doesn't answer emails and can rarely be found in his office. The foreign languages department itself is not at all helpful. Most Chinese English teachers do not speak English. Those who do tend to be very catty.

I have been told that there are actually some Chinese English teachers who enjoy talking to the FTs but I have not met any. The FTs are thinking about having t-shirts printed which read: CHINESE ENGLISH TEACHERS PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELVES. I CAN'T TELL WHO YOU ARE BY LOOKING AT YOU.

The classes are larger than I was told they would be : 60 rather than 25-30 per class. There are no books and there is no curriculum. I had a discipline problem in class but the college refused to remove the kid even though he showed up for two classes all year.

Classes begin in two weeks but the foreign languages department has not issued a class schedule or arranged a meeting with the FTs even though we're all here and the Foreign Languages department and other departments have held orientation "seminars" for incoming teachers.

The apartment is spacious and quiet, but that may change. We may be moved to another campus, but no one will verify that we will be staying or moving out to pig farm heaven.

[7969]

i chose #5 as i enjoy it here and being here keeps me away from the security forces back home who may be looking around.....