Job Discussion Forums

[Itsme]

First. How would you categorize the English levels?

Primary
elementary
High School
College
?

Which level do you prefer to teach and why?

The only level that I have yet to experience is the College level.

I liked Primary because there was someone else to deal with the discipline problems so I could focus on being the "good guy" and getting them to learn through games.

The only downside is that I felt like a sprinter. I had to be hoMey the jumping clown on speed for 30-45 min.

Elementary was pretty much the same but the children were coming to age where they were trying to act cool and thus talk more.

High school is ok as long as you have the Chinese teachers on your side.
It's a bit tougher balancing the discipline/ likeability factor.
I felt that I was giving more than receiving in that the more I tried to find innovative ways to impart knowledge the more ways they found to come up with why it wouldnt work.

So what about College? Is it worth it?
Will I have to jump up and down like a motivational speaker OR ELSE!!!?


Let me hear some success stories, by all means!

I am to the point of transitioning out of ESL teaching, but if I give it one more go, I'd like to try out the university level.

[orangiey]

I've done primary from Grade 1-4, kindergarden 1-3 and college: upper and lower intermediate.
I prefer Grades 1 to 2 (6-8 year olds) as you see progress from nothing to basic conversation and found the kids receptive, non-judgemental and the experience more rewarding than students with attitude (college) or tears (kindergarden)!!!

[Steppenwolf]

Kindergarten.

These learners have CHina's most unprepossessed, most open minds and are easy to interest in what really is interesting. Guaranteed success if you are on good terms with them!

[cj750]

but you have to be skilled in diaper removal..often requiring a mask and gloves..

[mondrian]

Ph.D.s and businessmen.
By this time they know what they want to learn and that is why they are there!
Can have some mind opening dialogue and meaningful scripts.
One can actually use all that Pinkerish knowledge that you have not forgotten.
Otherwise you are the "icing on the education cake"

[Henry_Cowell]

Agree with mondrian. Teaching highly motivated professional adults provides you with the most respectful and motivated students.

[Steppenwolf]

[Neilhrd]

There is no universal correct answer to this question. The key is to assess your own strenghs and weaknesses as a teacher and match them to the requirements of each age group and the Chinese system which will be imposed upon you in each age group.

For kindergarten you need plenty of energy, be able to sing and dance and mime, have plenty of patience and not get bored easily teaching ABC, colours and numbers over and over again.

For primary school the most important things are the ability to explain things very simply in a highly visual, interesting way, know how to control your classroom language and use a level the students can understand and be able to work co-operatively with the Chinese teachers. You need to be able to respond to the energy and curiosity of kids who have not yet had the individuality stamped out of them.

Middle School requires the ability not to be frustrated by students who can only say hello and goodbye after 3 years studying in primary school, the ability to cope with an enormous range of levels, motivation and basic intelligence in the same class, the ability to use a book to teach rather than teach the book, the ability to teach students basic study skills without alienating the Chinese staff (not easy as they want you to train zombies by rote) and the ability to get by teaching topics which are totally inappropriate to the age and interest of the students and which they often have no knowledge of in Chinese. Last but not least you need the ability to jolly along students who are tired, under enormous pressure for their age and often have a mental block about English after years of inept teaching in primary school.

I have never taught high school but I should imagine it is more of the same.

At college level you require a more in depth knowledge of grammar and vocabulary and the ability to explain it. You need the ability to treat students more as equals and be an enabler and elucidator rather than a disciplinarian teacher, but also the ability not to be frustrated by students who have been prevented from developing mentally since they were 12 and a total lack of understanding by the authorities of the environment and equipment needed for interactive, communicative teaching.

The amount and type of preparation you are prepared to do is also a factor. If drawing flash cards is your forte choose kindergarten. If you prefer writing your own handouts about advanced grammar or searching the internet for authentic materials to discuss current affairs then opt for college level.

Speaking personally kindergarten is not for me but I have had rewarding experiences in primary school, middle school and college in China.

[vikdk]

[Itsme]

I'd like to thank Neilhrd for that post. It was to the point yet in-depth. It was origional, and encompasses what it might have otherwise taken 2 months and 400 posts to extract from aroud here.

Now Steppen: Id like to ask why you prefer to teach Kindies as opposed to a higher level.