Job Discussion Forums

[AllwaysRollingBall]

I have recently completed my tefl certification with 9 teaching practices and am looking for a job in Northern China. When I read the job adverts on the internet, 20 teaching hours tends to be typical for a Government school (which is what I'm probably looking for). My question is this, When I finally choose and accept a position, and turn up at the school, what should I expect to happen, both from the lesson planning perspective and from the teaching side as well? Will there be a textbook that I just work my way through, will there be any training given and how much use will a teaching assisstant be (if there is one)? I hadn't taught before my teaching practices but am eager to do well. Hope you can help.

[Mister Al]

These are questions for your employer. How the hell would anyone here know?

Ok, you can expect the unexpected.

[Sonnibarger]

A good teaching assistant is worth her weight in gold.. I dont know what grade you plan to teach but if its anything lower than Uni you will need a teaching assistant. A good T.A will control the class, grade tests, homework, translate, help with lesson plans, make materials, deal with parents and tons of other stuff that will make your life easier. I have 3 T.A's and I thank Mao everyday... Last year I didnt have a dedicated T.A and it was almost impossible to keep control in a class of 30 toddlers... I just picked up a part-time gig in a kinder for the next couple weeks.. i made it very clear that if there is no English speaking T.A during my lesson time I wont be teaching... I would suggest you ask for that condition in any contract you consider... others may feel it is not sooo important but those people will have teaching experience, command of chinese and likely older students dedicated to their studies...

[arioch36]

first, be prepared to bargain, starting with your contracr. 20 hours? Bargain it down to a more reasonable 16 (Chinese uni teachers normal load is 12)

Along with needing to stand firm and bargain, expect absolutely nothing form your school. Textbook 10 minutes before clas starts is not unusual. Learn to use your class leader and learn to bargain. as Sonnibarger did. Don't fall into the trap of trying to have success by expecting the school to have a western style of behaviour. You have to bargain (demand)

[killian]

hmm...expect frustration.

books? what are those?

expect students completely resigned to the fact that they "can't" speak/read english.

expect kids sleeping in class. even when others rise up and greet teacher.

expect brief, glittering moments where stuff actually clicks and you catch a glimpse of "aha" from the kids that makes it all worthwhile.

expect to change and grow as a person.

[Eyrick3]

If you're going right into a teaching job at a small university (and by small I mean very few foreign teachers), expect to be going at it alone. A lot of universities out there will just chuck a few books your way (if you're lucky) and tell you to "teach actively".

Private language schools may be a little better. At least then you might have a curriculum to work around.

I think if you got good training on lesson preparation, you really shouldn't have a problem with your lesson plans. If you need supplementary material, the internet is great.

This link was forwarded to me by my training school: a bunch of ready to go lesson plans via torrent: http://www.mininova.org/tor/2117527

[Jordean]

It is probably better if you do not expect anything, but are prepared for everything.

Generally expect little support from the schools and some "fellow" posters here. Also expect students to be unmotivated (right, your opportunity to light the fire... ).

[theincredibleegg]

[TexasHighway]

Sonnibarger wrote:

[pancakes]

The school I taught at had a teaching assistant for each foreign teacher, which worked very well. When working with younger kids having another adult in the room is extremely useful. However, this was a private school and it may be different in a govt school?

As a previous poster mentioned, just ask the school. Ask them what you can expect. They may exaggerate but to be perfectly honest, all the other research you can possibly do won't do you any good. China is huge, the range of schools is immense, and people experience things very differently. Try to keep a positive attitude and you'll be fine.

Cheers,

[Ms Bean]

[TapRed]

You can expect this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkMcj4vQtRU

[Itsme]

[Itsme]