Job Discussion Forums

[oiboy]

Have any of you experienced the �please pass all the students syndrome�? I�m currently finishing up my contract at an unnamed public school in Hunan. I recently gave my students a written exam with an oral supplement. (50 multiple choice questions + a mock job interview) I graded it at 70% written and 30% oral. Today a local teacher asked me not to include a written exam mark. Her reasoning was that the Chinese teachers at my school teach grammar. I have concluded that if you cannot speak/write in a foreign language, you should not teach it. Many of my students have very poor grammar and that reflects on their oral English. She also told me I should pass all the students, as they have to pay to rewrite exams. Boo Hoo!. I will only pass students who show an effort in my class. Not the lazy b*stards who come late, sleep in class, show up once a month etc.. I have made a point of including attendance in their final examination grade. That will show them.. The problem is that I have students whose levels are vastly different. I have some who cannot string together 4 word sentences at the same level of students who speak almost fluent English. I think it has to do with the �just pass them as they have to pay to retake exams� policy. Just another reason there are no real teachers here in La La Land.