Job Discussion Forums

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

The goes out to everyone teaching full-time at a college/university. What is your typical day at work like? I'll be teaching full-time at a prefectural university starting in April and just want to get a heads up on what to expect. Thanks! Smile

(Yes, I'm even looking for input from dispatch instructors.)

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I'm at a national uni.

10 classes per year, so I may have 5 and 5, or 6 and 4 during any spring/fall semester.

I usually have one or two days with no classes. The others have 1 or 2 classes. Each is 90-minutes long. Could start as early as 8:50 or 10:30. I have one day with a class beginning at 4:20. One of my co-workers has a max load of 3 classes in a day, but you can guess how the other 2 or 3 are spread out.

So, my typical day is to teach a couple of classes or to have the day off from classes.

In non-class time, I polish lessons, correct homework, try to read journals, look into book samples that came or that I want to order, make photocopies for the next day, meet a student or two for class-related stuff, eat lunch, and go home about 6pm.

There are times when special projects or events come up, and they obviously make time more precious. Proofreading is sporadic, and I'm a copyeditor for a whole proceedings so that eats up time. On-campus events like teachers cleaning the yard, international conferences, the monthly staff meeting, etc. crop up, but usually I'm free to do what I want. When finals come around, there's usually a week thereafter when I tally grades and hand them in. The occasional entrance exam (of various sorts) come up, which means not only writing it, but attending half a dozen meetings to proofread each version. On the exam days themselves, teachers are on call in the library for a couple of hours while potential students take them, and you pray there aren't any errors or questions. Then, you spend half a day correcting and checking/double-checking and another half a day with more paperwork. This may happen 2-3 times a year.

If your school is in the midst of curriculum design or redesign, or if you are new, you may be called upon to write syllabi, including the selection of textbooks.

Siri · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 5

I am not a university instructor, just curious to know, how did you find out about the position as I am interested in applying to Universities in the future. ... Thanks.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Siri,
Read the FAQ sticky.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=49577

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

ripslyme, if you don't mind, what qualifications and experience do you have.
I ask because there is a view expressed on internet forums that one needs a Masters, possibly a PHD, publications, uni experience and Japanese ability these days.
On the other hand, my "real life" experience is that the guys I have met in such jobs don't meet those requirements at all.

It would be informative for myself and others to know a real case in 2009.

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

Thanks for the reply. It's really great of you to be so open. I hope the job works out well for you.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Congrats on the position rip.

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan