11:34 p.m. - 2005-12-30
Begging doesn't suit you
So it is that time of semester again. Time to turn in the grades. Time to recieve the numerous invitations to dinner and offers of beautiful gifts that are even more expensive and beautiful when the student is failing the class. This year I have been a little slow in turning in my grades. Last year I wouldn't tell the students their final grade at the end, because they could figure it out themselves. This year I moved a lot of things to the internet, so I had to show the students their grades on the webpage (private entry, log in required... it is all legal and follows the guidelines from the states... honest!) and the final grades have been slow going because I gave them all the opportunity for extra credit.
So now I have the letters. The ones that berate me for giving a lower grade and impolore me to raise it for fear of being beaten by a father, or ostricized by their village, or ... "because I know you like me, you said I was a good student!". and all that for a B or a C. Don't ask what the F students say. You don't want to know. Or maybe you do. They threaten, they beg, and they flood you with phone calls at 4 in the morning and 11 at night (I never give out my phone number and I have told them not to call without asking permission first...it works for the smarter and more on task ones...).
These students fill my box with notes asking for me to recheck the scores and to recalculate the grades accourding to their desires and wants, as opposed to what they earned. Because in Chinese culture everything is negotiable. Yes, everything. I have seen teachers change grades. (I have it written in my syllabus that if they bug me about the grades they will recieve a lower letter grade, but that doesn't stop them)However, I am not that kind of teacher. And unlike the other instructors at this school, I am not bound by the strictures of the administration. I can not be asked by the "boss" to alter my grades because a student's dad has taken the dean out to dinner.
It really upsets the dean that he has to tell the parents that he is not my boss. I feel for the other teachers. They turn in their grades only to find that the administration has altered the grades, or has given a make up exam to a student who never came to class. If the student works it right, the whole class grade can be based on one make up test they can take as often as they need to in order to get the grade they want. It is especially hard when the other teachers hear that I have failed students...and they stay failed.
If I give a student an F, they can't work their way out of it. I have a reputation on the campus as the teacher with the most standing F's. 13 last year. Half of those were for absences (I followed the schools policy and that is what they got!) and the rest were for cheating. There were only two who failed because they couldn't speak, read, or write in English. And my class is an American University class. I still don't understand how those students could be placed into my class in the first place! The administration must have known that they would fail!
One of the students spent the second semester studying English. He did great and when I saw him again (he is not in my class) he could hold a conversation and could write much better. I understand he is passing the other teachers class this year.. of his own merits. The second is repeating in my class (I am told this is unheard of, but I actually told my failing students that they were welcome to return, that I liked them and thought that if they tried harder they would pass. Apparently some of them listened and chose to come to my class... GOOD FOR THEM!) This student is now passing with a very high grade and I have never seen such improvement in a student, ever before.
Anyway, if you have never taught in China before, these are things that you can expect to face. It is a bit of a culture shock issue for all of the teachers. If you don't believe me, well just wait and see. It is one of the most shocking things to see in China.
Besides the split pants.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Monday, December 26, 2005
Teaching in China: Getting Burned by a Friend
4:30 p.m. - 2005-12-26
Getting Burned
Okay,
The first thing that I want to put on record is that I DID NOT recommend this guy get the position. In fact, I recommended that they NOT hire this person. I knew him from the states and I knew what he was like. He is not a people person and he is not a responsible young adult. In fact he is one of the most irresponsible people that I know. However, They did not ask me for my opinion and chose to ignore it when it was given. Then he arrives in China. He begins teaching and while he is not bad at teaching, like most teachers in China who are untrained he is an inexperienced novice who is more interested in learning Chinese and traveling than in doing the job. So when things started to go bad for him in this environment I was not unprepared for it. However, he chose to attach himself to me as a person to go to for advice. In that action, he allowed other people to believe that I was telling him to do the things he was doing. I really hate that. He never came to the seminars that I give, although he always said that he would. Worse, when he started messing up in the classroom the administration started coming to me to talk about him. I had to explain that I had nothing to do with him. And yet, because of his comments they have chosen to believe that he is a puppet for me to speak through. I hate that more!
And then he decides on the last week of classes to duck out without turning in his grades. He leaves for Beijing with the grades undone and leaves me with mud on my face for being a friend.
I am a bit livid. I had to call up the people I know in Beijing to hunt him down before he left the country to get his grades in. Worse, I had to fight with the administration to get them to get off the phone long enough for the grades to get turned in on the fax machine (now that ticked me off royally, since it was a bunch of student office workers instead of the real admin. guys).
Now I not only have to prove that everything I say is valuable, but I also have to fight against the stigma attached to this one bad apple of a teacher. Worse, I have to fight that stigma in the hopes of being able to recommend future teachers here.
I am so mad, so very mad. I could just see the administration justifying not inviting me back because I was "friends" with this guy.
I have just been burned.
Getting Burned
Okay,
The first thing that I want to put on record is that I DID NOT recommend this guy get the position. In fact, I recommended that they NOT hire this person. I knew him from the states and I knew what he was like. He is not a people person and he is not a responsible young adult. In fact he is one of the most irresponsible people that I know. However, They did not ask me for my opinion and chose to ignore it when it was given. Then he arrives in China. He begins teaching and while he is not bad at teaching, like most teachers in China who are untrained he is an inexperienced novice who is more interested in learning Chinese and traveling than in doing the job. So when things started to go bad for him in this environment I was not unprepared for it. However, he chose to attach himself to me as a person to go to for advice. In that action, he allowed other people to believe that I was telling him to do the things he was doing. I really hate that. He never came to the seminars that I give, although he always said that he would. Worse, when he started messing up in the classroom the administration started coming to me to talk about him. I had to explain that I had nothing to do with him. And yet, because of his comments they have chosen to believe that he is a puppet for me to speak through. I hate that more!
And then he decides on the last week of classes to duck out without turning in his grades. He leaves for Beijing with the grades undone and leaves me with mud on my face for being a friend.
I am a bit livid. I had to call up the people I know in Beijing to hunt him down before he left the country to get his grades in. Worse, I had to fight with the administration to get them to get off the phone long enough for the grades to get turned in on the fax machine (now that ticked me off royally, since it was a bunch of student office workers instead of the real admin. guys).
Now I not only have to prove that everything I say is valuable, but I also have to fight against the stigma attached to this one bad apple of a teacher. Worse, I have to fight that stigma in the hopes of being able to recommend future teachers here.
I am so mad, so very mad. I could just see the administration justifying not inviting me back because I was "friends" with this guy.
I have just been burned.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Teaching in China: Trying to Found PRCTESOL
11:08 a.m. - 2005-12-21
End of semester state of the union address
Ah the end of the semester. Teachers are leaving as if the building were on fire, students are pounding on doors with offers of beautiful stones and precious liquids for the hope of a passing grade. The only thing that I truly enjoy about this state of disarray is the wonderful feeling of living at home as everyone else has gone and I am in a largely unpopulated building, with the hot tub all to myself. Okay, I have to share it with my family, but almost everyone else has left.
The cafeteria is almost empty which means there is plenty of food to go around and it tends to be better quality when they are only cooking for a few people. I have had to end my seminar sessions, my in-service trainings, to reschedule them for the beginning of the following semester. Actually, so many people who did not attend this semester have asked if it will be available next semester. It seems that word has spread about the sessions being helpful, and with the end of observations here and all of the responses that people received, my classes have suddenly become the number one priority in time for some teachers. The people who have attended the lectures are delighted to learn that I will not only be offering the seminar next semester, but that I may continue to offer it next year for those who are here.
I have made a formal announcement about my China TESOL affiliate founding, and now I am working towards making it a recognized entity on the campus as well as trying to find out just who I need to talk to about making it recognized and accepted in China. I have discovered that the name will need to be changed to PRCTESOL, which is actually a little more specific anyway. I am patiently waiting for responses from certain departments.
I have put the text book on hold due to some unforeseen blocks, including a request from another teacher that I put off doing it until I can get the right kind of support from the administration. I am still working slowly (it will move more quickly now that I have finished classes up) on developing a curriculum and integrated syllabus system for the program, but that will continue to move slow until I receive some form of administrative support.
The good news is that I know who and how to talk the administration into giving me what I want, especially now that I have had the chance to talk to people who have been here a while to find out how it should be approached officially and unofficially. I have the whole summer to work on the curriculum, and I really only need three weeks to put together a comprehensive curriculum with integrated syllabi and texts. I may not have time to write a textbook this semester, but I will have time to work it out as long as I stay.
I am attending the TESOL convention in Florida this March. I have decided to see if they will let me attend the affiliate caucus to see what I can learn from people who have done this kind of thing before and to find out how I can make this a solid affiliate group. I am also working towards the certificate in Leadership which is offered at the convention. It is specially geared to affiliate and caucus leaders so it should give me an edge in understanding just how to operate this group. I am hopeful that I will be able to round up members from those people who have been long standing members of TESOL while in China especially. I know of two in Fujian, so my chances have gotten better.
End of semester state of the union address
Ah the end of the semester. Teachers are leaving as if the building were on fire, students are pounding on doors with offers of beautiful stones and precious liquids for the hope of a passing grade. The only thing that I truly enjoy about this state of disarray is the wonderful feeling of living at home as everyone else has gone and I am in a largely unpopulated building, with the hot tub all to myself. Okay, I have to share it with my family, but almost everyone else has left.
The cafeteria is almost empty which means there is plenty of food to go around and it tends to be better quality when they are only cooking for a few people. I have had to end my seminar sessions, my in-service trainings, to reschedule them for the beginning of the following semester. Actually, so many people who did not attend this semester have asked if it will be available next semester. It seems that word has spread about the sessions being helpful, and with the end of observations here and all of the responses that people received, my classes have suddenly become the number one priority in time for some teachers. The people who have attended the lectures are delighted to learn that I will not only be offering the seminar next semester, but that I may continue to offer it next year for those who are here.
I have made a formal announcement about my China TESOL affiliate founding, and now I am working towards making it a recognized entity on the campus as well as trying to find out just who I need to talk to about making it recognized and accepted in China. I have discovered that the name will need to be changed to PRCTESOL, which is actually a little more specific anyway. I am patiently waiting for responses from certain departments.
I have put the text book on hold due to some unforeseen blocks, including a request from another teacher that I put off doing it until I can get the right kind of support from the administration. I am still working slowly (it will move more quickly now that I have finished classes up) on developing a curriculum and integrated syllabus system for the program, but that will continue to move slow until I receive some form of administrative support.
The good news is that I know who and how to talk the administration into giving me what I want, especially now that I have had the chance to talk to people who have been here a while to find out how it should be approached officially and unofficially. I have the whole summer to work on the curriculum, and I really only need three weeks to put together a comprehensive curriculum with integrated syllabi and texts. I may not have time to write a textbook this semester, but I will have time to work it out as long as I stay.
I am attending the TESOL convention in Florida this March. I have decided to see if they will let me attend the affiliate caucus to see what I can learn from people who have done this kind of thing before and to find out how I can make this a solid affiliate group. I am also working towards the certificate in Leadership which is offered at the convention. It is specially geared to affiliate and caucus leaders so it should give me an edge in understanding just how to operate this group. I am hopeful that I will be able to round up members from those people who have been long standing members of TESOL while in China especially. I know of two in Fujian, so my chances have gotten better.
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
Teaching in China: Learning the Chinese Way
8:06 p.m. - 2005-12-07
Know the Chinese System
I admit it. I do not know the Chinese system. I have only been here for about 18 months and I have been immersed in my classes and busy with my family, so I have not spent a great deal of time figuring out how to do business in China. I never thought it would be necessary.
I was wrong.
I have discovered that in order to get things done. Anything that you want, all you have to do is do it the Chinese way. It may not seem to be working but it is. It is just a whole new way of doing things for me.
So, I have my little project and I have taken it through the chain of command, the official line of inquiry so to speak. Now I find myself going through the unofficial chain of command, or the guanxi line. This is where I find the person who I can properly flatter into wanting me to do what I want to do and to work his way up the line to flattering those above that he "found" me and can lay claim to the ideas of what I want to do. So I know who to go to, now I just need to figure out how to word it so that I can see it through.
If I knew how, I might just be able to buy him some beer and a girl and that would be the end. But I don't know how, so I have to stumble through and step on my tongue and shove my foot in my mouth a few times while I figure this out.
I don't even know who to go to in order to ask how to properly word something in order to get what I want.
Oh well, If I don't get what I want there is always another way!
If anyone knows any good books that they could recommend on how to properly work the system I would be grateful!
Anyway, have a wonderful day.
Know the Chinese System
I admit it. I do not know the Chinese system. I have only been here for about 18 months and I have been immersed in my classes and busy with my family, so I have not spent a great deal of time figuring out how to do business in China. I never thought it would be necessary.
I was wrong.
I have discovered that in order to get things done. Anything that you want, all you have to do is do it the Chinese way. It may not seem to be working but it is. It is just a whole new way of doing things for me.
So, I have my little project and I have taken it through the chain of command, the official line of inquiry so to speak. Now I find myself going through the unofficial chain of command, or the guanxi line. This is where I find the person who I can properly flatter into wanting me to do what I want to do and to work his way up the line to flattering those above that he "found" me and can lay claim to the ideas of what I want to do. So I know who to go to, now I just need to figure out how to word it so that I can see it through.
If I knew how, I might just be able to buy him some beer and a girl and that would be the end. But I don't know how, so I have to stumble through and step on my tongue and shove my foot in my mouth a few times while I figure this out.
I don't even know who to go to in order to ask how to properly word something in order to get what I want.
Oh well, If I don't get what I want there is always another way!
If anyone knows any good books that they could recommend on how to properly work the system I would be grateful!
Anyway, have a wonderful day.
Monday, December 5, 2005
Teaching in China: Trying to start PRC TESOL
9:20 a.m. - 2005-12-05
It Begins
Okay, It took me hours to finalize the constitution and the bylaws of China Tesol, but I have it finished. Now I have been arrangeing activities and a membership drive in this area. So now I have to start finding board members for the first year of China TESOL. I need someone in the Xian, someone in Beijing, and someone in Shanghai. These people would be responsible for advertising information about China Tesol and recruiting members in their respective areas... they would be Executive Board members and considered "members at large". The good news is that I know people in each of those areas, the bad news is that I have to encourage them to join the TESOL organization before asking them to become Board members.
Well, they have the option of becoming TESOL members after they become ChinaTESOL members. The difficulty is that I am worried that people will not see the benifit of becoming a TESOL member (or for that matter a China TESOL member). This is just a baby step though. With an official organization that can be affiliated with the TESOL organization, teachers in China who are serious about ESL or about being professionals will be able to justify their time and effort. They will be in a community of like minded individuals and be able to communicate regularly with people who face the same conditions and the same problems and challenges.
Right now I am working on so many projects I have no time to do anything else. I have my regular courses that I teach, I have my seminars, I have the textbook that I am still in the process of collecting materials for, I have the curriculum that I am designing which is based firmly on a language program design that I am attempting to remodel for this location, I have my project of altering my course for online access and use in the computer lab, I have added this TESOL affiliate project and of course I have my family which takes priority over all.
The China TESOL project will officially be open for membership enrollment in February (the start of the Chinese second college semester) at which time I will be trying to reach the minimum requirements for affiliation with TESOL. Then I will apply for affiliation next september. We will hold the first elections for official offices in November of next year, so there will be board positions as well as non-voting memberships available. I have to get the word out slowly but firmly that this is now a done thing. I have two members that are TESOL members in good standing (that would be me and a friend in Beijing) and when there are three TESOL members involved and 50 other members, following the official elections in November we will be able to apply for an affiliate position, which will make membership a very good thing.
I know that there will be three people in the Fujian province that I can invite to membership in September, and I know a few more people in Shanghai and Beijing, so now it is just a matter of spreading the word and arranging a conference for next year and a newsletter. I am thinking about doing an online newsletter due to the extraordinary spread of members, but the conference I would have to arrange in one of the main cities (so not at my location). All of this and I have papers to grade. I think I will post the announcment about the group on Dave's ESL cafe or something to get the news out about it. Maybe I should set up an information web site first? Yeah, most likely that is what I will have to do.
Anyway, wish me luck.
It Begins
Okay, It took me hours to finalize the constitution and the bylaws of China Tesol, but I have it finished. Now I have been arrangeing activities and a membership drive in this area. So now I have to start finding board members for the first year of China TESOL. I need someone in the Xian, someone in Beijing, and someone in Shanghai. These people would be responsible for advertising information about China Tesol and recruiting members in their respective areas... they would be Executive Board members and considered "members at large". The good news is that I know people in each of those areas, the bad news is that I have to encourage them to join the TESOL organization before asking them to become Board members.
Well, they have the option of becoming TESOL members after they become ChinaTESOL members. The difficulty is that I am worried that people will not see the benifit of becoming a TESOL member (or for that matter a China TESOL member). This is just a baby step though. With an official organization that can be affiliated with the TESOL organization, teachers in China who are serious about ESL or about being professionals will be able to justify their time and effort. They will be in a community of like minded individuals and be able to communicate regularly with people who face the same conditions and the same problems and challenges.
Right now I am working on so many projects I have no time to do anything else. I have my regular courses that I teach, I have my seminars, I have the textbook that I am still in the process of collecting materials for, I have the curriculum that I am designing which is based firmly on a language program design that I am attempting to remodel for this location, I have my project of altering my course for online access and use in the computer lab, I have added this TESOL affiliate project and of course I have my family which takes priority over all.
The China TESOL project will officially be open for membership enrollment in February (the start of the Chinese second college semester) at which time I will be trying to reach the minimum requirements for affiliation with TESOL. Then I will apply for affiliation next september. We will hold the first elections for official offices in November of next year, so there will be board positions as well as non-voting memberships available. I have to get the word out slowly but firmly that this is now a done thing. I have two members that are TESOL members in good standing (that would be me and a friend in Beijing) and when there are three TESOL members involved and 50 other members, following the official elections in November we will be able to apply for an affiliate position, which will make membership a very good thing.
I know that there will be three people in the Fujian province that I can invite to membership in September, and I know a few more people in Shanghai and Beijing, so now it is just a matter of spreading the word and arranging a conference for next year and a newsletter. I am thinking about doing an online newsletter due to the extraordinary spread of members, but the conference I would have to arrange in one of the main cities (so not at my location). All of this and I have papers to grade. I think I will post the announcment about the group on Dave's ESL cafe or something to get the news out about it. Maybe I should set up an information web site first? Yeah, most likely that is what I will have to do.
Anyway, wish me luck.
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