Job Discussion Forums

[flyingscotsman]

I'm at wits end. teaching business at a "college" and things are bad.

For starters, 5 foreigner teachers are required but there are only 3 now. Turnover in the school is horrible and yet another foreigner did a runner a few days ago. Since the beginning of the school year that brings FIVE teachers that have quit or did runners.

Originally class size was small - maybe 15 students. But based on the number of teachers quitting and to save money they did away with the class a,b,c system and went to an a and b class structure with 22 students in a class of 45. So there were 2 teachers doing the work of 3.

Now there is 1 teacher doing the work of 3. ME. They pay me an extra 70 rmb a class to make up for the absence of the other teacher.

When I brought up the fact that there where 3 teachers to teach this class of 45 they gave me a cock and bull story that made no sense.

So the real issue is - the students pay no attention to my teaching, play on their phone, disrupt my lecture by speaking to each other, and sleep. Some never come to class.

The administration cares not about this issue. Of course all they care about is the students families pay the tuition on time and - regardless if they come to class or not - get a diploma from a "Canadian" school.

I'm at the point where I am ready to quit myself BUT the reason I stay here is a single reason and keeps me here for the moment.

I'm not sure what do to. These kids - aged 21 or so- have no respect for me or the other teachers and have no fear of the administration ( because they are lame ducks).

yesterday two students got into a shouting mach in the class and neither one would listen to me when I told them to shut up or go outside and fight.

All i can say is that there is no reward for me, no intrinsic value from my teaching here. Forget about that dream of "If I could help just one of them..." because they are more interested in playing on their phones and chatting qq then what I have to say.

It didn't seem to bother me much before but now seems i am getting close to the breaking point. My plan for monday is to tell class b to go into the smaller classroom ( my regular class) and tell class a that I am not their teacher.

Also I am going to tell the school that I will teach both classes but separate and they need pay me 2 regular hours per class. If they don't agree then I will flat out refuse to teach both classes together and see what happens.

Anyone have ideas what do to with openly disrespectful students? I may start taking away phones and Ipods and hold them for a day or two but that will cause them to turn against me maybe.

[rogerwilco]

I am also in a college teaching 12 classes of 40 students.
You have to make an example out of one of them.
Treat them like they are elementary or high school students.
Give a kid 2 or 3 warnings, and if he (probably he) does not listen,
then make him go stand in the corner.

You have to use making them lose face to realize that you are serious
and that you will discipline them.
If he continues to be a problem then send him out of the classroom.

At all times you cannot get angry. Getting angry causes you to lose face.
The good students will respect you more for being strict.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

scotsman, did you lay down some class rules at the outset? if you did, did you ensure the students followed them? i've found that when i do this and don't get too friendly with the students (to earn and maintain their respect you cant become buddies with them) i have no discipline problems. This won't help you now but for future reference.

I also don't want to judge your teaching ability or what you're trying to teach. I assume you're doing your best and the students (if they were paying attention) would be getting something of value from you. Only you know that but just something to think about. Your problems seem to stem from things out of your control as evidenced by the high turnover.

The students who don't pay attention, the ones who don't do anything in your class, the ones who like to sleep or read a book from another class - these aren't really the problem. just ignore these ones, and give grades accordingly. its the disruptive ones you want to get a grip on.

if you have problems with one or two or a small clique of students during class, issue a first warning. if they keep disrupting the class, stop teaching and ask them to leave. if they don't comply, announce that no teaching will take place until they do. wait a few minutes and see if any peer pressure is applied that gets the slackers to either sort themselves out or vacate the room. The better students (if you have any) will not appreciate their learning being interrupted. if this fails then make a trip to your admin office, inform them and let them come down and deal with it. Don't start taking away phones - that's going to cause you more trouble.

If teachers have fled left and right and you're one of the few remaining then you're holding what looks to be a good hand. Suggest that the school sort the teaching schedule out asap and to your liking (at least according to your contract or to your original teaching schedule), increase your salary accordingly, or you will exercise whatever options are at your disposal (flight !).

Don't do what other teachers have done - get angry, flip out and/or panic (not yet anyway). Remain calm, make your concerns known to the school and if nothing happens then you know what to do.

After re-reading your post it sounds as if most of your students are causing you heartache. If this is the case you're probably just wasting your time and you may just want to jump ship like the rest of your former colleagues. If I remember correctly you posted some time ago about a job you took and you discovered quickly it was a big mistake. Was that you or someone else?

[dog backwards]

Report the situation to the dean/owner/president and put the responsibility on his shoulders. Ask how you can handle the situation. If he puts the problem back into your lap, start looking for another job.

You are a teacher, not a disciplinarian. If you meet denial on the part of the powers that be, send a text message to the person in charge inviting him to come take a look while you go about your business of teaching, not disciplining.

The school knows that there is a problem, but it does not want to address it for fear of losing that tuition money.

[Mrs McClusky]

Good advice from both. Can't be too pally with Chinese students. What many 'western' teachers see as being friendly and nice, they see as weakness.
Be strong, be hated for a bit, but it will make it better long term...... Alternatively, drink................ A lot.

[TexasHighway]

I always lay down the rules on day one and and tell the students if they break any of the rules, they will get a zero for the day and may be asked to leave my class. That is not being a disciplinarian. It is when a teacher starts out too slack and then cracks down, he comes off like a drill sergeant. Also, if I suspect a student's attention is waning, he/she will be the next one called on. I never have problems with students sleeping, using their cell phones in class, or being disruptive. I let them know that attendance and participation comprise a large part of their grades. The students need some structure in their lives and in the long run, will probably appreciate the teacher for providing some. In fact, I always get good student evaluations at the end of the semester. In your case, you must really have a good reason for staying. Although I have never done so, I would be tempted to pull a runner in this situation!

[flyingscotsman]

[slareth]

Many (most) have been on these forums and at this kind of work far longer than I so take what I say with a grain of salt....

You said NO too late.

I agree with you that you are being taken advantage of but you may only have yourself to blame. I have not been in China for a single year yet but I have learned (right or wrong) that the moment I accept something I do not want to do that more shit will immediately land in my lap. However, if I say NO to administration repeatedly and unwaveringly, they usually cave.

As to your students....I don't know what advice to give you other than what has already been given. Never get angry in class has been said but is worth repeating. Somebody suggested making a student stand in a corner...I like that. Usually making them change seats and be closer to the teacher also helps. Not only do they lose face it is also easier for you to keep an eye on them.

Currently you are fighting an uphill battle since you already accepted the class size. Of course the administration will believe you should and can continue to do so. Expect threats (usually empty ones) if you do not comply but hope for the best.

Also, don't be shy about taking away their phones. You can not force those who have no desire to learn to pay attention, but you can keep them from distracting others with whatever random horseshit they are goofing off with.

[thelmaharper.1921]

You could be getting paid to do almost no work. As Richard Pryor would say: Have a Coke and a smile and shut the **** up.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I would ask myself "What is my incentive to stay on?"

You could even ask your masters-who-be this question.

Food for thought.

[Non Sequitur]

Other outfits are now advertising for 1 Sept start so my advice is brush off the CV and get yourself a better situation. That's unless the 'single' reason will extend into next academic year. But hey there will be other employers in the locality.
I worked in a Canadian 'cooperation' programme. Their intro was a week teambuilding. This meant they were very connected to each other and the teacher was really an outsider. They were lower ability kids who got in to the college through higher fees. That said, some of them saw an opportunity for a fresh start at English but were frustrated by the disruptive element.
I only found that out when the class feedback arrived near the end of semester. Too late to get a strategy in place for those kids
Life is too short to agonise about it. GO!!

[jibbs]

Sounds a bit rough mate. Reckon you'll stay there a while?

[flyingscotsman]

[Laurence]

One caveat that I would add:

In many places
(my home country for one),
you might win respect and even promotion for going that extra mile at work, and pulling your weight when others around you are not.



In a Chinese work environment, however, this is not the case.


In a Chinese work environment
if someone is led to put in extra effort without ensuring that they are compensated accordingly, it comes across as a sign of weakness, an invitation for further exploitation.


Someone noted above that you might use your position to build a more advantageous relationship with your employer.
I think that's a good idea - I'm all about progressive mentalities - but being a doormat isn't going to get you anywhere.

[mandu]

have you thought about teaching kindergarten children?way easier.