Job Discussion Forums

[Miles Smiles]

Through the years, I've heard students refer to "work leaders". At first, I thought that they were referring to class monitors. Then, as I heard more about them, I thought they were counselors.

In one school, they seemed to be working as advisors and relaying information to the college students at the last moment. For example, before I could get an answer about schedules from my FT liaison, a call was placed to one of these work leaders to ask him what I needed to know. Sometimes, the question was answered a week after I asked it and I had already figured out that there would be no classes.

In another school, a final test was scheduled. The class monitor verified the day, place, and time that the class would be administered. It was announced three times per week for three weeks before the test. Five or six out of thirty-five students showed up for the test. I told the monitor to tell the rest of the class that unless the others made arrangements with the department to take another test, those who did not take the final test (65% of their grade) would fail. I would not administer the test. (I was later forced to give the test again).

Another time was quickly set up for another test. When I arrived, the room was in a near-riot state. I left the classroom, not wishing to be part of a quickly-disintegrating situation.

As I left, a student caught up with me and told me that the work leader told the class that English was not important, and that the work leader told them that they didn't have to take the test.

Yet another time and place was set for a third attempt to take the test. I gave out the tests, and as I walked around the room, I saw that some of the students had a nearly-completed test that had been printed on different paper. (Somebody got a copy of the test from the school copy center).

Students that I had never seen before (and whose names did not appear on the roll) aced the test, though those whose names were on the roll could not respond to their names or student numbers when I handed out the tests. I didn't want more trouble, so I graded the tests, aced the students who didn't recognize their names or numbers (and could not speak English), turned in the grades, and got past the whole situation.

Since then, whenever there's a major *beep* up in scheduling, low attendance, and bad attitudes, "work leader" is mentioned. I don't ask too many questions about work leaders, but I have requested meetings with them, but I never get a reply from the department.

One student ID'd a work leader when he came to my class and glared at me as class started. What I saw didn't impress me.

Does anyone know who these people are? What is their real, official function? Has anyone had any direct dealings with any of them? Are they teachers?

[7969]

Never heard of this "work leader" position.

At our workplace we deal with our FAO for any questions regarding our living arrangements or residence permit. We have what's known as a Chinese Cooperation Teacher who is our liaison for scheduling exams, printing requests, or any other work related situation. Finally we have the class monitors who can be relied on to carry out basic requests like booking a room for a makeup class or passing info on to their respective classes.

After reading your post I have a new appreciation for this school I've been lucky enough to work at.

[Guerciotti]

I think they call them "class leaders" here; a Chinese teacher responsible for the class regardless of whether they teach that class or not. Here it seems mostly about giving general advice, monitoring the well-being of the class and encouraging them to work 24/7. Your work leaders seem at least a bit caustic, but mine are rather benign.

I also get conflicting instructions on the form and date of tests and other things but I figure that's par for the course and not personal. They occasionally come into one of classes in the last 15 minutes and interrupt it for important announcements or something.

Generally people who don't introduce themselves and stare are bad news, but they may actually be harmless.

[igorG]

I have never heard of "work leaders".

[Guerciotti]

[Cairnsman]

As recently as (approx.) 25 years ago, China had Work Units, and Work Unit leaders from whom individuals had to obtain permission to travel, marry, divorce and relocate.

In 2004 when I was working at a university in Chongqing, the FAO often referred to one particular school leader as Work Unit Leader and he explained to me that the W.U.L. was a Communist Party delegate. The only involvement the W.U.L. had with the (10) foreign teachers was that he attended a number of special dinners (Welcoming Dinner, Christmas Dinner, etc).

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Yet another reason why I do not personally teach at the college level.

[xiguagua]

Every schools different. Luckily I don't have people interrupting my classes, and whenever I've had problems with students or exams my school has honored my decisions of failing people or doing whatever I need.....at least......that I know about. But I haven't had to fail too many people, and even if they change the grades I could care less. Some kid that can't speak a word of English isn't going to get a decent job that requires it, he/she will just end up in the countryside teaching the next generation to say "Sank you wery much"

Sometimes hearing these kind of stories I wonder where you guys work. I live in a small poor city in Hunan but my university FAO's and Teacher coordinators do an excellent job.

[wangdaning]

[choudoufu]

we have them here also, but i use a different label. i believe
their title includes "fudao," direct translation usually is tutor.
other meanings are coach, guide, advisor.......

they serve as either guidance counselors or student advisers.

i've had one visit after asking for my permission to attend.
no disruption, no glaring.

[Miles Smiles]

When I first became aware of such a term, it was at a university. The girls in my morning class always came in looking and acting very tired. I asked one why the girls always looked tired and she told me that the class' work leader said that they weren't working hard enough, so they had to meet out on the soccer field to exercise from 6:00 am to 7:00 am to do exercises. I'd have dismissed as nonsense except that I asked other girls the same question and they told me the same story. I don't think that they were BS-ing me.

[igorG]

[Miles Smiles]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Yes, our tests mean nothing in colleges. Another reason I do not teach college level. I won't be a promotional monkey...

[dean_a_jones]

Yeah, yeah, we get it. You don't teach at college level. You are better than that.