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kungfuman
Joined: 31 May 2012
Posts: 1749
Location: In My Own Private Idaho
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 Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 1:25 pm Post subject: They Never Even Thanked Me |
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I worked there for a 10 month contract, never fought with them (unlike other teachers), never missed a day, never late, always had my grades and paperwork in a day or two after the exams,and...
THEY NEVER EVEN THANKED ME...
When I was asked to stay and I told them no thanks, I become less than a nobody to them.
What a China let down. |
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Javelin of Radiance
Joined: 01 Jul 2009
Posts: 1187
Location: The West
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| Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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| What were you expecting? They gave you a job and if they paid you on time and never hassled you that should be thanks enough from your employer. If you need any further justification as to how great you were look for it from your students, the people you were there to help out. Just my opinion. |
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kungfuman
Joined: 31 May 2012
Posts: 1749
Location: In My Own Private Idaho
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| Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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Who ever said I was paid on time?
My students? The dullard offspring of people who somehow became rich?
Dude my students are going to crash and burn at WHATEVER they do in life. I have never met a more sorry bunch of wastes of life then the students I just taught for the last 10 months.
Perhaps 1 out of 10 actually cared about the course material.
The rest, were seemingly happy to get a grade of 60 just so they passed.
But my comment was aimed at the school administrators.
While some teachers fought with them over every little thing I complied and did my work.
And I think a thank you would have been appropriate. |
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NoBillyNO
Joined: 11 Jun 2012
Posts: 1762
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| Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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| The squeaky wheel gets the gratitude. |
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roadwalker
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 1750
Location: Ch
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| Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Once you tell your school you will not stay they treat you like shit No matter how nice you were |
(OP's location)
This hasn't been my experience. I've told four different schools (universities) in China that I wouldn't be back the following year and haven't experienced any bad treatment as a result. I'm not saying it doesn't happen or couldn't happen, but I just don't think it's the norm. OP perhaps you were at a particularly bad school? How many schools have you taught at in China?
As for the other, I couldn't care less if they say thank you or not. I'm actually grateful when they don't have those large banquets to thank the foreign teachers. I don't like to have to make a toast to take a drink! |
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MisterButtkins
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Posts: 1221
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| Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Dude my students are going to crash and burn at WHATEVER they do in life. |
Ehh haven't been in China long? Or still don't get how things work here? If their parents are rich, a job will be bought for them. They don't have to be good at anything. They will receive a high-salary job, or a low salary job where they get bribes. They will never get fired and some Chinese office worker who gets paid 3k a month will do all the real work. |
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cormac
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 768
Location: Xi'an (XTU)
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| Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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Its China. Expect a "Thank you" when you start.. just don't expect one when you finish. You did a job, although from your comments it appears you stuck to the minimum needed. TBH I find its worth more to get a sincere "Thank you" from the students than the facility members.
| kungfuman wrote: |
| Dude my students are going to crash and burn at WHATEVER they do in life. I have never met a more sorry bunch of wastes of life then the students I just taught for the last 10 months. |
Which, in my opinion, is a terrible attitude and frankly reflects the manner in which you taught these students. Did you even try to engage their interests, and teach them something useful?
I have close to 250 students spread over Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior, and honestly, they're great. Sure they lose motivation, and get listless about studying, but then I did the same in Uni. In addition to teaching various formats of English, our job is to get them motivated.
But then I suppose if you weren't motivated its hard to get them motivated....
| Quote: |
Perhaps 1 out of 10 actually cared about the course material.
The rest, were seemingly happy to get a grade of 60 just so they passed.
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Probably because they found the class so boring... I've found that when I stick entirely to the course material in an attempt to actually finish it in time, the interest levels drop like a rock along with attendance. (it was a massive relief when I found out that few Chinese teachers get half-way on the material... )
I use a little of the course material so they get some value after paying for the books (which they have no choice in), but the majority of my material is self-found. Works better, and generally attracts more interest from students. I also have a student nominated review group which collects opinions from students for feedback on my material. Works rather well. Get your students involved in the actual preparation of classes and everything works smoother. I have the best attendance in my university, and its not just because I'm a weird foreigner. (Although I suppose my weekly movie night outside of class hours helps too since I show more "rare" movies) [i.e. not easily found online]
Frankly, I pity your poor students if you stuck to the course material. I'd have done the same as them. |
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Javelin of Radiance
Joined: 01 Jul 2009
Posts: 1187
Location: The West
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| Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:18 pm Post subject: |
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| kungfuman wrote: |
Who ever said I was paid on time?
My students? The dullard offspring of people who somehow became rich?
Dude my students are going to crash and burn at WHATEVER they do in life. I have never met a more sorry bunch of wastes of life then the students I just taught for the last 10 months.
Perhaps 1 out of 10 actually cared about the course material. |
Well if you weren't paid on time I'm sure you would have mentioned it and would have been fighting that battle instead of this one. Frankly what you wrote about your students indicates a rotten attitude and if this is how you felt about them you can be sure the feeling was mutual, and that info would have made it's way back to the school admin, your bosses. Probably not hard to see now why you weren't thanked on the way out. |
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mandu
Joined: 29 Jul 2004
Posts: 794
Location: china
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 12:45 am Post subject: |
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I have been in the same job for 7 years the boss is only nice when she wants somthing,still dont get treated very well.it gets disheartning somtimes,no meetings no communicatiuon with us at all.
this still happens after giving 7 years to the kindergarten |
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Javelin of Radiance
Joined: 01 Jul 2009
Posts: 1187
Location: The West
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 12:59 am Post subject: |
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| Mandu, just tell your boss you want to implement a series of time consuming monthly meetings on different topics so you can communicate with one another. I'm sure everyone will be pleased to take part in this new system, which should instill more pride and a sense of esprit de corps in the workplace. Make sure these meetings are held early on Saturday mornings to ensure maximum employee satisfaction. |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:07 am Post subject: |
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The thanklessness of administration is common, I think, but not universal. One may not get a spoken "thank you" but rather an acknowledgement of his work. Some FAO's never acknowledge the FT and the deans of the FL dept. never bother to meet the FT.
I worked at a school that threw a big Christmas dinner party and didn't bother to invite the WESTERN FTs. The Japanese FTs were invited, though.
I can understand the resentment of the OP and a couple of other forum members. If the shoe were on the other foot, the Chinese would feel quite offended.
After one has been in China for awhile, he becomes accustomed to being a non-person to the Chinese teachers and administrators. Someone pointed out in another thread that the Chinese often treat each other the same way.
In the end, it all evens out, I guess. |
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kungfuman
Joined: 31 May 2012
Posts: 1749
Location: In My Own Private Idaho
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:33 am Post subject: |
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| So you can tell so much about me from a one dimensional post? Some of you are wasting your talents here in China I guess |
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fred13331
Joined: 20 Feb 2012
Posts: 108
Location: Southern China
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:55 am Post subject: Re: They Never Even Thanked Me |
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| kungfuman wrote: |
I worked there for a 10 month contract, never fought with them (unlike other teachers), never missed a day, never late, always had my grades and paperwork in a day or two after the exams,and...
THEY NEVER EVEN THANKED ME...
When I was asked to stay and I told them no thanks, I become less than a nobody to them.
What a China let down. |
A large proportion of opinions seems to be of the 'what else do you expect?, this China' type.
I don't accept this belief that China is a rubbish country full of rude, exploitative bosses. For sure there are many such, but, dig a little deeper and there are plenty of good 'uns too. We recently had our end of semester dinner. About ten of our 70 FTs were departing - the FAO called them each up, thanked them, gave them parting gifts. Each departing teacher was told to stay in the apartment as long as they like over the summer period, and to remember to book the car when it is time to go to the airport. The FAO will see each one off personally.
The rest of us started out 2 month full pay holiday to add to the winter 2 months, also full pay. When we are actually working, there are 2 holidays each year, with flights, hotels and meals paid. We average 14 hours a week for well above market average salary in universities. Most use this ample free time to supplement salaries thru private work. The university allows and occasionally facillitates this. Personally, i have 50K of private gigs lined up over the summer holidays.
Doubtless, some will call tis a bragging post, tho, I can't see how, Fred is not even my name. I am just an anonymous guy, at an anonymous university pointing out there are universities / schools who do pay well, who do take care of you and who do thank you sincerely |
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Opiate
Joined: 10 Aug 2011
Posts: 630
Location: Qingdao
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 4:58 am Post subject: Re: They Never Even Thanked Me |
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| fred13331 wrote: |
Doubtless, some will call tis a bragging post, tho, I can't see how, Fred is not even my name. |
Well...perhaps if you stopped at.....
| fred13331 wrote: |
About ten of our 70 FTs were departing - the FAO called them each up, thanked them, gave them parting gifts. |
...nobody could say it's a bragging post.
However your hours, salary, vacation time, and private gigs are not at all relevant.
P.S.
Opiate is not my real name  |
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NoBillyNO
Joined: 11 Jun 2012
Posts: 1762
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 6:24 am Post subject: |
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| However your hours, salary, vacation time, and private gigs are not at all relevant. |
I appreciate the perspective. |
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