Job Discussion Forums

t-dawg · Joined: 03 Oct 2011 Posts: 13

This is slightly embarrassing. I took a job in China at a school with a rather poor reputation, thinking that it might be OK for me, since I'm a fairly patient person and can often put up with poor management, and assumed that this job in China would be like many other bad jobs: Just put up with your employer's little foibles with a smile on your face, and do your best.
Well, I have been working for exactly one month, and my best is apparently not good enough. On my first week I worked the full hours stipulated in my contract ( 18 hrs), as well as the second, with very little training and no books or curricula to guide me. Some classes were better than others. Some left me grasping at straws, trying to think of subjects to discuss in the "informal oral English" classes, and struggling to maintain control in kindergarten classes full of absolute beginners and an ineffectual TA. Most classes were the "once-per-semester foreign teacher lessons" that each group of students got to supplement their English education. Aside from a single kindergarten beginner class, I have never seen the same students more than once. Anyway, following the second week, I was called to a meeting with my employer. She told me that I am a poor teacher, particularly in the kindergarten class, and that I am costing her money. She said that since two teachers are leaving in January I would have to prove myself before then, to be able to take on their course load, and that she usually gives a three-month grace period but since I'm smart I can get to be an excellent teacher in three weeks. Or go home, was the unmentioned threat.
I go to the weekly staff meeting and discover that I have had my hours cut by more than half...seven hours last week, four hours this past week.
Then, I get a call from the fellow who hired me, a foreign co-worker who I have seen perhaps three or four times since arriving. He said that my employer was very unhappy with my performance, and that I have to improve by Spring Festival. the consequences? Either being sent home, or being sent to a city three hours from here, where there are absolutely no foreigners.
I feel that I am being forced into a decision on this one. The teacher who was formerly working at the location 3 hours away was a drunk, and got deported last week. I believe that my employer is trying to use my "poor performance" as a way to push me into accepting to go to the other city. I met with my employer the following day to try to explain how I feel and that I am absolutely not interested in moving to the other location. She handed me a revision of contract terms, and wanted me to sign it. It stipulates that I either go to the other location in three weeks, or I go home. I asked for the weekend to consider it.
I came here because I liked the sound of the city. And I have not been disappointed...I have made some amazing friends from all over the world, I have a Chinese boyfriend, I'm learning Mandarin, and having the time of my life. And I really don't think that I am a very bad teacher.
So, what I need is advice. I have been informed by other foreigners in town that the other two English schools would be happy to have me, but I'm not sure about working visa transfers and the mechanics of the thing. My employer actually held my passport (and my working visa) until this week, which made me extremely anxious. She still has my residency permit. I do not have enough money to pay the breach of contract penalty, having spent the better part of my savings getting here and settling in, nor do I have enough money to return home. The revised contract will not come into effect until I sign it. I do not want to sign it so long as is stipulates that she can send me to the other city. I would rather have her sign my release letter and give me the freedom to take another job.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. This is my first job in China, and I know that you usually need a reference letter to change employers. In this situation, I get the feeling that it would be impossible. I have been given until Spring Festival to show an improvement, but I actually have no scheduled classes next week, which further leads me to believe that I am being set up. I intend on visiting the other schools on Monday to drop off resumes and discuss employment. Should I try to get my ducks in a row before the end of my "probationary period"? Should I start looking at apartments? How fast can my employer cancel my work visa?
Merry goddamned Christmas, everyone!

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

t-dawg · Joined: 03 Oct 2011 Posts: 13

No no, I have proper documentation. I am here on a Z-visa, and have obtained a 1-year residency permit. I got my passport back this week after asking about it for a month since it was processed at the police station. Perhaps I have my wording wrong...the visa is indeed pasted to the inside of my passport. I am referring to the little red residency permit that comes in a passport sized book.

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

t-dawg · Joined: 03 Oct 2011 Posts: 13

I have a credit card with nothing owed on it, if worst comes to absolute worst. I have been paid for a single week's work back in November, and am scheduled to be paid for December's work on the 15th of January. I have enough for travel expenses within China if need be, and my time socializing hasn't been a waste of time...I have friends in the local police department, friends in good standing at other schools, and access to a lawyer that other foreigners here have used in the past. I just hope that it doesn't come to that.
Ideally, I would prefer to simply switch to the other school here in town and be done with it. I'm going to try my best!

t-dawg · Joined: 03 Oct 2011 Posts: 13

Oh, and about probation...There was no mention of it in my contract, solely in the "revision of terms" notice I was handed, and have chosen not to sign. The probationary period agreed upon in conversation before I started was three months, which I am obviously not being given.

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

I don't see much of a problem with the school or what you have experienced. It seems like they expected a female teacher to bring in more students, but being out in the country the numbers are pretty stagnant.

This past summer, the school that hired me kept telling me how to change my lessons to non-teaching methods. They were more interested in getting more students than me actually teaching. They sold Side by Side books to elementary school students, when Side by Side is more geared for adults. I had to change examples in the book to fit younger children. Then, for middle school classes, the students had Interchange and had to compare living in different cities. How on earth would a middle schooler know the differences? Parents seemed impressed that their child was taking the course, but after signing up, they didn't care to read the book that was too advanced. They just wanted to play word games on the board.

The ones going into high school, and some I teach now, refused to do any writing because they were told it was a speaking only class (in the summer). Sometimes you got to wonder why they sign up and then put zero effort into the actual learning process.

Get your letter of release, find a new school.

t-dawg · Joined: 03 Oct 2011 Posts: 13

Zimmer · Joined: 26 Oct 2011 Posts: 229

Whatever you do, bear in mind China shuts down over Chinese new year which is coming really soon. This will mean any visa stuff won't be dealt with during that time so if you do get another job they may not be able to get you legal until sometime in February.

Good luck with your situation, hope it works out OK.

Baozi man · Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 214

First off, lose the boyfriend. You are nothing more to him than a trophy or visa. I'm sure you won't but down the road, remember you were warned.

Why not just take the other job? Your boyfriend interferring with your job decisions?

Very easy to "fall in love" in a strange country when you first arrive. Lugging around a half Chinese kid as a single parent not so easy.

Dirty bedroom words? I knew a American guy who spoke fluent tagalog. He got his start by asking his gf's brother about the various terms used in a bedroom setting.

Most people are interested in that kind of stuff.

Cairnsman · Joined: 22 Jun 2009 Posts: 203

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

Guerciotti

Baozi man · Joined: 06 Sep 2011 Posts: 214

Opiate, First job, you kind of roll with it. But no, she's got to stay in that particular city. Why? Boyfriend have anything to do with it?

She's making a lot of trouble for herself by not moving. If she has a legitimate visa, the school has some things going for it.

Admittedly, I'm just guessing but my guess is that the Chinese bf has a lot to do with it. Otherwise it would be a no brainer for her to complete her contract and then move on.

"I came here because I liked the sound of the city. And I have not been disappointed...I have made some amazing friends from all over the world, I have a Chinese boyfriend, I'm learning Mandarin, and having the time of my life."

Sounds like she came here to party and now she's finding out she has to work. Boohoo! OP should consider that she is about to fall off a cliff. If that's the time of her life, I'll keep mine.

OP thinks she has friends in the police department? I suppose the boss of her school hasn't any friends? Already considering a lawsuit after a month or two? I'll give her the same advice an attorney here gave me, "It wouldn't be convenient for you, as a foreigner, to get involved in a lawsuit here."

She's almost certain to get stiffed on her pay as well, unless she agrees to take the countryside job.

Go girl!