Job Discussion Forums

[scintillatestar]

I usually just offer advice on these boards...but maybe someone could offer advice to me? I just read the thread on negativity and I hate to be one of those people, but I hope I can get some feedback. I work for one of the big, unaccredited "visa" schools in NYC. While I generally enjoy teaching my classes, I do feel that the administration can excessively negative. We get student surveys conducted every 4-6 weeks. If we get any negative comments, we get berated. No one mentions any of the positive comments at the meetings - and I am sure there are many. The staff also does not take personal issues/attitudes of the students into account (ie. excessive absences) and sometimes give surveys to students who have only been in class for one week. I want to get the best ratings that I can, obviously. However, it can relatively easy or hard depending on the class and the system itself makes me nervous.

Recently, I had a class who rated me lower than normal - but a large majority were above average with a couple averages. None was below average. I was informed that my reviews were "bad" and there were lots of negative comments even though there was only one. Based on the comments, I know who this student was - and this person had been absent for half of the class. However, I was cut-off when I tried to bring this up. I don't think it's realistic to think that everyone will like your teaching style, or even be happy with the content of the course. This school has a very high turnover rate and is often hiring. Like most private schools for adults, the focus is on the money - but that is what it is I guess. The pay is low and I'm not compensated for prep-time/grading - which can sometimes eat up several hours per day.

I go to school in the fall anyway...but any suggestions until then?

[denise]

If you're only there for a few more months, then why not just wait it out and, when they start to berate you, just remind yourself that you're going on to better things?

Evaluations are icky. If you're lucky, you end up with a school, or at least a boss, that acknowledges all of those negative factors that you mentioned, and who, in an effort to retain staff and keep their morale high, points out the good comments as well. (While still nudging--without berating--staff to improve if there truly is a weakness.)

Hang in there. There are better places to work.

d

[spiral78]

I once worked for such a school - for a week. It was awful.

If you want to be proactive, you could possibly suggest in a meeting that it would likely help morale and boost teachers motivation levels if positive comments could also have a place in the agenda.

Otherwise, like Denise suggests - it'll be over soon, and happily behind you!

[Glenski]

[johntpartee]

If you can put up with it until you leave, stay. If you can't, leave.

[scintillatestar]

Thanks for all the advice. I guess it's just hard to deal with because I cannot even make rent in NYC for what I get paid. Some people teach 40 hours per week to make up for it, but I don't think I could handle that.

I don't think the students know how little we make either. I had a student lament once about how he got paid $20 hour before tips as a bartender. I make $16/hour. They pay extra money for the program I teach too and the staff demands a lot more. I believe they make about $12,000 in profit per month on just my class.

[spiral78]

Another good reason to move up and out of the Mcschools asap. They are exploitative on many levels.

Good luck in future - it's not all like this!!

[Kootvela]

Maybe you can offer private lessons instead?

[Justin Trullinger]

The short term solution is to ignore it because you're leaving soon.

The long term solution is to leave, get serious training (in this field or another) and to get a much better job.

Seriously- $16 dollars an hour in NYC??????? What the *beep*? For that kind of money, you shouldn't be getting good reviews, ever. Forced to work at/below poverty level in the city you're in...seriously. Even before complaints come into it...that's absolutely ridiculous. Only contact hours paid makes it a LOT worse.

But in the meantime, ignore it if you can.


Best.
Justin

[scintillatestar]

Unfortunately, that seems to be the norm in NYC - $16 to $20. A colleague from mY CELTA course was offered the same at another branch. Rents are high and there is a lot of competition for students. I'd imagine that keeps overhead costly and profits relatively flat. I even saw a place advertise $12-$15, although they are always posting. I have a CELTA, so I could work abroad. However, with grad school starting in Sept, I don't have much time. Fortunately I will be getting an M.A. in TESOL with state certification, so job prospects should improve.

My last three reviews were really good, although I would still get berated at times.

Anyway, thanks for all the advice. I think it's important to get good credentials in this field. Our CELTA instructors discouraged us from working in NYC. You really need an M.A. in TESOL for the good jobs.

[Otterman Ollie]

Exactly the same thing is creeping in over here, instructors are evaluated every 7 weeks by students and an interview is given which is not very motivating as instead of taking the comments some students make with a very large pinch of salt they actually believe them. Admittingly the pay is a lot better and tesol cert or ma is non required, but the bs you have to put up with is starting to wear people down and there will be a few vacancies this year I shouldn't wonder.