Job Discussion Forums

[rogerwilco]

I have been told that for the first week of the next semester that my only classes will be a 2 hour class each day for the Chinese teachers.

I have never given a class for the Chinese teachers. Anyone have any experience with this ?

I asked the FAO what exactly it is that I am supposed to teach, but she gave me her typically vague non-answer.

If the teachers actually do show up, what am I supposed to do with them for a 2 hour class ?

[mister_kot]

Treat them how you would treat any group of 'adults'.

I would use a tried and true lesson plan I've used many different times and feel it out from there.

After the first class, you should be able to gauge their abilities and be able to prepare lessons that coincide with their needs.

If I were you, I'd forget that they are teachers and just get on with it like it was any other class. Just because they're teachers doesn't mean they know what they're talking about. I'd venture to guess that they might appreciate that kind of treatment.

If anything, it'll be a good chance for you to get to know your colleagues.

[shoulderdocca]

They are NO DIFFERENT than any other group of people that are a group of students. In theory, they should have a higher level than the typical "student." It is hardly any different or difficult.

[chinanoodles]

If they start giving you a hard time, start teaching pronunciation. Focus on the 'TH' sound (sorry I can't type the IPA symbols here) or go for the beach/bitch, ship/sheep, sheet/shit, eyes/ice, break/brick...etc

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[Miles Smiles]

No real objective for the class? Hmmmm...

This is just a time killer for you and for them. Take the time to introduce yourself to them and have them introduce themselves to you. Forget about teaching them how to do anything for this will may offend and alienate them.

Be prepared to answer questions regarding how you conduct your class, your philosophy teaching Chinese students, your experiences, and observations.

Take the opportunity to ask THEM questions about how they teach. Ask them their objectives. Ask them about the most difficult part of their jobs and how they go about solving the problems.

I've been through this same sort of thing, and I've found that it's best to take this time to get to know the Chinese faculty and to ask them to help YOU solve some problems which you may have in class. (Make some up).

I've seen western teachers launch into lectures about Sapir-Whorf which bored everyone to tears and should have embarrassed the FT because he really didn't know what he was talking about. (He must have picked it up in his TESOL Class).

Keep it light, and remain humble.

[rogerwilco]

[Non Sequitur]

While over time I've had the odd motivated Chinese teacher quiz me about English usage/synonyms/antonyms etc I've never had a class of them.
Having an ESL qual and schooled in the communicative approach, I would be interested in asking the Chinese how they feel about the method.
My impression is that they think it is too 'playway', noisy and lacking in seriousness. If OP has trained in ESL it would be great to find out what the Chinese feel about the way FTs go about teaching - espec oral English and the minimisation of Teacher Talk Time.
From my observation Chinese teachers in classrooms adjacent to mine spend the total time talking and the rooms are set up for that.

[Miles Smiles]

[GuestBob]

[Happy Everyday]

Ask them what they would like (or phrase it as 'expect') to get from the course.

They're career professionals. Their answers will make it easier for you to prepare a class for them. Just imagine your sitting in a classroom, and the Chinese teacher asks, "What would you like from this class?" You'd answer with whatever it is you want.

have fun!

[Non Sequitur]

My motivated teacher was a 'one off'.
And also we were trapped on the bus together for 50 mins each afternoon.
It actually taught me what a rich language English is.
All the graduations of meaning etc.

[Miles Smiles]

[Beyond1984]

" go for the beach/bitch, ship/sheep, sheet/shit, eyes/ice, break/brick...etc" -chinanoodles

Noodles is right ... the short /i/ is difficult for the Chinese.

So is the /n/ sound ... which is the only way /thirteen/ differs from /thirty/, /fourteen/ from /forty/ ... make them show their teeth.

You can also have fun. Write the word /usually/ on the board and ask for volunteers to pronounce it. Try not to chuckle when you hear /ually/.

Don't forget to drill them on the five voiced and unvoiced consonant pairs!

If you feel daring, de-mystify the grammar basics by covering the eight parts of speech and the five ways nouns can be used. You can teach in an hour what middle school students of English in the US endure over three years.

-HDT

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Have you started these classes yet? If so, how have they been?