Job Discussion Forums

MisterOyster · Joined: 28 Jun 2012 Posts: 9

I am halfway into my first semester in a university position here in China and things have been good for the most part.

However, I am starting to get frustrated with almost constantly being asked for parts of my time to do university related functions such as teaching extra classes for clubs as well as being a judge for various competitions on the weekends. If I said "Yes." to all of these things, my teaching hours combined with this extra on-campus "work" would easily approach 30 hours a week and I would never have a day off where I would not be teaching, showing my face at functions, or doing planning. I don't think there is a concept here of keeping work-life separate from the weekends which most Westerners would consider their personal time.

Has anyone else experienced this and perhaps has some advice on dealing with this?

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

I have had to deal with it but I know that when I say yes, I get compensated extra for it. I also know that saying yes could make things easier for me in the future if I need to ask the Vice-Deans for something. So far, so good, it has seemed to be worth my while and I don't really mind helping out and getting involved and seeing a different side of the department.

That's just me though.

Do they offer you a little something extra for these extra tasks?

Warm regards,
fat_chris

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

Most university jobs require you to show up for at least some school related activities. English corner once in awhile and possibly judging a competition or two each year.

If you feel you're doing too much of this then next time you're asked just say "Sorry I'm busy but thanks for the invite" or tell the person inviting you that you're going away for that day or weekend. Most of the time it's students involved in these activities that are doing the asking and it's easy to say no and they usually accept it if you tell them why.

If you have other foreign teachers at your school then find out if they're doing any of these extra tasks and if not, when you say "no" to the latest request suggest they ask someone else who may not be busy. Nothing wrong with that if other people are slacking off and not pulling their weight.

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

If you just need a break for a few days, you can make up a BS excuse like:
-My back hurts. I need to lay down all day.
-I ate something dirty. I can't stop using the bathroom (works great if you want out of a date, too)
-I'm having family issues. If they ask what, just look uneasy and say you don't want to talk about it.

The key here is you have to act like you really, really want to do the activity, but can't for the above reasons.

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

If you really are being invited to as many functions/events as you claim, then that's excessive. 30 hours a week is far from standard for uni gigs.

Are they at least paying you for the extra teaching hours? If so, how much?

My contract states I'm to attend English corners, however, I think I'm the only teacher that does here. The others don't care for them at all. I don't mind them though, my way of looking at them is something along the lines of: If they've been good enough to invite me and organised a show/event/contest, the least I can do is turn up. I also enjoy most of them. That and they sometimes pay Very Happy

.

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

If they call you just say you've got something planned.

Or just say you'd planned some traveling that weekend, no one wants you to waste 5000 rmb of airfare and hotel!

Alternatively if called on the day, just say you're having an IV. They normally take HOURS so I just use this excuse if I don't want to do something.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

Check your contract, then learn to say no.

I don't mind a few extra activities each semester, but hey, I'm not going to work on weekends on a regular basis. No matter how pleasant, English Corner is work, and around here ECs are always held on weekends. My last school required (in the contract) English corner once a week, on a week night. No problem, I knew when I signed up.

"Sorry, I have other plans." Enough.

.

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

Are you working the maximum number of hours stipulated in your contract?

It sounds voluntary. Why not do the odd thing; maybe one extra thing every couple of weeks.

However, if you really don't want to do anything extra, then don't.

My personal opinion. Working at a Uni is basically a part-time job, and you should enjot what you're doing, including helping students out and giving them a bit of extra time when you can.

If you're doing other part-time work on the side, or you have things going on, like a relationship or whatever, then say no. It's fine. You don't have to agree to everything. You're in charge of your life.

If however, you're the kind of person that wants to do the work you have to, and absolutely nothing else (You're probably not, but some people are, and I have a low opinion of such people) then you should rehtink things. Be wary of thinking of yourself as a martyr. Some foreign teachers in this country are earning a good comfortable wage for doing little and despite having few valuable skills. A generalisation, but at the very least occasionally true.

China runs on a currency of favours. It's more collectivist or cooperative. Like every aspect of living in China, there are advantages to adapting to this where you can, as long as you're still happy in yourself. Basically everybody needs to know both how to say yes, and how to say no.

This being the site it is, I dare say I'll get abused, but I am trying to make some serious points about what I think an appropriate attitude to these kind of requests is.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 17 Feb 2012 Posts: 389

I am teaching kids on the weekend. the books is "Good English". Insane. Kids who can not read one word, or can not speak at all have this book. It is impossible to teach it. Biff, Kipper, Mum, Dad, Chip...awful. But hey, I did not choose it.

Now, I have a 4 yr old private student. He speaks better then some of my university students, and his father wants him to learn to read. His father heard that "Good English" is a great book. I think it is one of the worst books I have seen, and that book can not be used for a beginner reader.

Here is the question: I am new to China and I have no idea about a good book to teach reading.

Help please.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 17 Feb 2012 Posts: 389

I am so sorry, I meant to make this into a new topic and I do not know how to delete a post.

Sorry

MisterOyster · Joined: 28 Jun 2012 Posts: 9

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

Another idea (sorry if already mentioned, read that pretty quickly) is to try to 'own' an event of your own choosing a bit more. This may not always work, it depends on the place, but in some places it can.

Tell them you are happy to do something a bit more regular. Make a note of the fact that it is outside of your regular hours (but keep in mind some contracts stipulate either English Clubs directly or via some euphemism such as participating in 'regular school events'. If yours doesn't, ask for a bit more flexibility if you can't actually get OT. Tell them you are willing to help organise and run an event, but not on the weekends. You could suggest some sort of biweekly event, or some kind of extracurricular themed club that you plan and deliver with the help of a student (to make signs and get people aware etc.)

With this kind of thing, they can see you are willing to take on a bit more, plan it yourself and get something good going for the students. Above and beyond this, I would then stick firm on additional commitments requiring either a reduction in class hours or extra pay.

The danger with this approach with some employers is that once you give an inch, some places take a kilometre, as they say.

Good luck.

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

You're new to China but you haven't picked up the typical answer to something you really don't want to do:

Do not answer.

Don't answer calls, don't answer messages, look at it on your phone, press the silent button and continue watching a movie or whatever.

They'll soon get the hint.

It's better than just making yet another excuse.

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

Yes, Larsson Crew makes a good point. Often people in China don;t say no. It could be considered rude.

Sometimes the best way of saying no is something like, 'It's inconvenient', I'll have to check my schedule' or or 'I'll let you know later.'. Asians should recognise all these phrases as meaning no, and it may enable the petitioners to save face.

Not giving a straight answer may be rude in the West, but in China it's ok.

Miajiayou · Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 283 Location: Nanjing

Ditto on the two previous posts. If I am not interested, I look very eager to do the stupid thing but say that I must check my schedule. Then, I don't answer any phone calls. I have never had any issues with this. I have been at my school for awhile now though, so they know me. They know if payment isn't discussed in the beginning, I don't even consider it (I work the hours of my contract and there is nothing in there about English Corners or extra recruiting work)