Job Discussion Forums

[Ms Bean]

I'm new here but not new to China. I taught oral English and occasionally literature for a few years. That's all fine and dandy, but I was hoping to become involved in something to balance the mind-numbing realities of oral English.

My question is this: Is it possible to teach/coach a course other than oral English? In truth, when I taught in China in the past, I never even thought of asking to teach something else.

Though my areas of study involve language and linguistics, I was wondering if it is possible to teach a course in drama or start a drama club, or direct a drama club in a western production. I have ten years experience in the stage on the university and repertory level as an actor/director/dramaturge. I'm not necessarily looking for a paid position.

I'm planning to return to China in February. I am close to making a decision about my employer. All three have some sort of drama program. One actually has a drama department. (I'll probably head there, though I don't like the huge cities).

Suggestions?

[Ms Bean]

Nobody has any experience with teaching extracurricular courses or coaching extracurricular activities?

[kev7161]

Most schools don't have extracurricular courses! Sure there are music and PE classes taught by (I suppose) qualified music and PE teachers (pretty much all Chinese) but after-school volleyball tournaments or putting on a school play? You might want to check out an international school for that kind of job.

You could check out if your school will do some sort of holiday show or an end of the year thing and work with one of your higher-level classes and work on a song to present. Are you not allowed to do play-acting or singing within your lessons? Or must you follow some dry ol' "Spoken" English book and nothing else? Generally, from what I read on this board, most Spoken English courses taught by FTs pretty much are open to whatever the FT has in mind.

[cj750nomad]

there are companies in Beijng that provides these services.. drama, music and sport coaches to schools.. the teachers are well paid and not part of the educational staff at the schools they rotate into... sorry but don't know the name..

[Ms Bean]

Naw. I'm not looking for an International school. I was just hoping that there was a chance of doing some drama coaching. Seems like it's not possible at this juncture.

This won't be my first or second tour of China, BTW.