Bravo

I guess the statements about the curiosity of his multiple jobs stand up

I worked there for 8 months

Out of curiosity, how did you arrange an eight month only contract? Did you quit prior to a full-contract length?

Hello Michael,

I empathize with you about your experiences at your university. Where I work, I was not paid for seventy-six days. When I pointed out this slight omission to one member of the F.A.O staff, they just talked to eachother in Chinese and laughed. I have enough grasp of the Chinese language to understand that they were making fun of me because they thought I was spending money too fast. Well surprise, this "loawai" was correct and they had to pay me my salary. After that little incident, some other teachers stopped me on campus and asked me with amazament how I was able to receive 10,000 Yuan in one transaction. Even if you're right sometimes, you're still always wrong to some Chinese.
I have other stories of just being treated with hostility and rudeness by the other teachers. I am a one man show in a senior middle school of 3,000 students. I have taught 22 classes with no support, no guidelines, and absolutely no materials. I am the ONLY foreign teacher in the whole county with no country men or any family, but to some of my colleagues this does not matter because I make more money than they do. I am one of those native speakers with a degree, TESOL Certificate, and 4 years working in an E.S.L. department at an American high school. So Michael, qualified or not, native or non-native, many of us experience what you have gone through. I guess I have somewhat been successful in engaging my three-thousand knuckleheads in trying to learn more English since they want me back and now the provincial head of teacher training wants to bring a foreign teacher to every school. So to those Chinese leaders that happen to read this don't treat your foreign teachers, native and non-native, like crap and you might keep us longer. I have learned to be very forgiving in China. A couple of days ago a sweet older lady called me an "idiot" as she passed by me- what gratitude.
My school district gave me a one year leave of absence to come and teach in China and they expect me back. I am thinking of staying for a few more years to take on more heartache and abuse. I fell in love, but that is another story.

ojajajaj, what's a discussion!

But thanks for sharing your opinion, I appreciate it. It's good that most of you are clever guys, even if you don't agree with my English teacher position.
I always say to my students - it's important to say what do you think, it doesn't matter if I agree with it or not.

Generally I don't like fights and complains. I have enough other hobbies to fill my limited free time. That is why I didn't write anything about Linyi Normal University. But when they crossed my limit last week, I had enough and decided to warn the others to not make the same mistake I did (coming here).

My post was regarding the uni "not fair play", but some of you redirect it in purpose to attack me. It's ok, you have rights to do it, but why in so aggressive way?
Do you know me? Are you aware of all circumstances?
Who gave you a right to tell me what I should or shouldn't do?

I don't mind you write your opinion, but please make it true.
I hate lies.

"Grow up" wrote:

I have many students/friends who attended this Linyi institution - I'd be happy to post their comments about this Polish teacher and how his spoken English is 20 times worse than his written English. The web page is a fine example of an inability to grasp the language.

Please do it. Do you know how far is Yishui from Linyi? Do you know how many times I in Linyi (I lived in Yishui)? So, how many teachers did I meet? When was it?

I know my writing English is not good, but I speak good enough. Maybe not good enough for teaching, but you don't have idea.
Why are you saying my oral English is 20 times worse then writing? You know it is not true, you know you are lying.
Now prove it you are not, answer my questions.

As well - why are you attacking me personally? Did I do something bad to you? Or just emotional disorder?

You quote my website:

or several years I worked abroad as a tour guide. Besides, I was construction labour, cook, burger maker, mechanic, strawberries collector, gardener, baby sitter, the seller, traffic surveyor, English teacher, etc

I counted more than 30 different jobs. And all this in several different countries.

Yes, nothing to be proud. I think it's shame on me (ironical tone).
What could you do while living in economical poor country like Poland in 80/90, but love travelling? (I used double "l" not by mistake).
Would you sit and cry? I think so.
I'm different. When I obtained my master degree as a sport teacher and running coach, the Polish school offered me 200 USD per month.
It would mean I had a respectful job, but forget about proper life.
So, I didn't give up my dreams, I wanted to travel. And I did, by hitchhiking, by bicycle, cheap, but interesting way.
And I had to work abroad (England, Germany, Croatia, Australia) to make some money which allow me to live on the proper living conditions and continuing follow my dreams.
It was hard to work as a kitchen hand just after my graduation. It was 9 years ago, I couldn't speak English good enough to get a better job.
I had to swallow inner humility.

But 8 years later (last year) I was the third manager in the biggest Australian outdoor shop (the last 5 years I was living in Sydney).
I improved my English, "Kathmandu" company employed me (yes, I was on interview personally), and after few months working as a sale assistance (customer service - how could be, if I speak English so terribly?) I was manager for multi-million dollars company. It wasn't easy to me, but I did manage.

And my dream came true - so far in age of 35 I've visited (more or less) 127 countries. And I'm still on, I will visit more countries and will try more new jobs, as I love it.
And I'm not shamed. I didn't hurt anyone, I didn't do anything wrong.
Why do you think I gave the website link, when I could write just complain about Linyi Normal University.
Because I'm honest, I'm not afraid of people like you.

I should spent more time to correct my English writing.
You found my mistakes, yes, it is my fault, I should checked it more carefully (not ironical tone).
When you pointed them, I could see some of them. I'm sorry. I will correct them soon.

Now, the hardest thing for me - should I be an English teacher?
Most of you say no, and maybe you are right. Maybe I shouldn't try this way to make my another adventure.
We were (me and my wife) full of doubts when applying for this job.
I was aware I'm not full qualified as an English teacher. That I have a master degree in teaching it's not enough (sport teacher in Poland has the same education program that all other field teachers). We decided to apply when the academic year already started, so we were sure to get somewhere where they really need the teachers. I was prepared to take all consequences if I wouldn't manage, I was ready to leave college for my own expenses if I would feel I'm not good enough to help the students.

Japan and Korea employing only the native speakers, so I didn't try to get there. China is different for simply reason - has too many people, there are not enough teachers. You can chose your employee if you have someone to chose from. China need more and more, they cannot employ only the native speakers, qualified ESL teachers. As Turnoi told you in his logic arguments: "poor" native speaker might be not better than "good" non-native speaker. Of course I cannot compare to "average" native speaker teacher, but I'm sure I'm better teacher than those native lazy ones. I'm preparing hard to every lesson to minimize my mistakes.

Fortunately the reality in Yishui turned out to be good for me (poor English level - students and teachers). For those students I was helpful, I definitely didn't harm them. In Yishui there are 21 Chinese English teachers - only two of them were not afraid talking to us, because of their poor English level. When I saw happy student faces, when I increased their motivation, when I saw the effect - I knew I was on the right place and I did a good job. For sure you, good teachers, would do better, but you weren't there. I prepared classes good enough for them and I felt they appreciated it. And once again - I didn't complain for teaching in Yishui and the school leaders didn't complain for my teaching either. And what is teaching English about? If it comes to pass the school grammar exams - I'm not the proper person. But English in Yishui is about communication.
And I can communicate in English, even if i do mistakes.

Don't worry, I have a deal for "Grow up" and "Who cares". Yishui has no foreigner teacher for the next term. And they need them, students want them, they were asking why I was leaving. So just come and help. Don't worry that schools officials won't treat you fair, you can manage. Oh, I forgot - in Yishui county there are not other foreigners, you are alone. There are no pubs or night club either (only KTV), there is nowhere to go after 10 pm. Students are locked in the dormitories as well. There is very cold (winter) in the old mould room. You are welcomed in this narrow minded village. Good luck.

That's all for today.

cheers
Michael

I'm not advocating teaching at that institution.

Grow up, man. Are you applauding yourself? That's ridiculous and tells a lot about yourself - you really must be one of those many Western losers in China!
People without a sufficient amount of brain in their head and a lot of beer or whatever in it instead are useless losers.
Are you one of them?

I have seen this scenario time and time again. You are not qualified to teach the English Language unless you are fluent. After reading your posting it is obvious that you are not. You seem to feel that because your English is better than some of the Chinese English teachers that somehow makes it okay. Get a handle on it, Dude! Your English is substandard. You shouldn't be teaching English at any level.

Bravo !! Agreed !!

I'd be happy to post their comments about this Polish teacher and how his spoken English is 20 times worse than his written English. The web page is a fine example of an inability to grasp the language.

Very interesting! You see, I had started another thread in which I mentioned my observation that foreign teachers working for training centres in China often posted on the board using inferior English as compared to that of other posters. I wondered whether one could assume that as a rule their teaching, and of course their spoken English, would also be worse than that of other posters who were teaching EFL in China, but not at training centres. Your information re the Pole seems to support my hypothesis. But of course, one swallow doesn't make a summer!

I have seen this scenario time and time again. You are not qualified to teach the English Language unless you are fluent. After reading your posting it is obvious that you are not. You seem to feel that because your English is better than some of the Chinese English teachers that somehow makes it okay. Get a handle on it, Dude! Your English is substandard. You shouldn't be teaching English at any level.

Bravo !! Agreed !!

Inability to hold down a job and then blaming the employer -- it's fine if it was one job, but dozens?

The personal web page for this user is just unbelievably crazy. I have many students/friends who attended this Linyi institution - I'd be happy to post their comments about this Polish teacher and how his spoken English is 20 times worse than his written English. The web page is a fine example of an inability to grasp the language.

or several years I worked abroad as a tour guide. Besides, I was construction labour, cook, burger maker, mechanic, strawberries collector, gardener, baby sitter, the seller, traffic surveyor, English teacher, etc

I counted more than 30 different jobs. And all this in several different countries.

Recently I got obsession about deserts

Taking care about family

Favoruite sport: athletics

Favoruite

Sport's certyficates

master degree, faculty of couching and teaching

Foreigner languages

I lost count of the ridiculous English "skills" of this user somewhere after 100 disgusting writings.

It all coalesces into a simple picture - 30 jobs, multiple countries, and again, this time in China, it's "the school's fault" not his... yeah, we got it!

W O W

I'm sure Turnoi can "set us all straight."

Just to say that I had a lucky escape by not going there to teach. A few years ago, I had a problem at a school I was teaching at in Hebei province re bait and switch tactics. I had gone on strike there, and had contacted my agent to find me another school. On the Friday, I was in my apartment with my bags packed waiting to depart for Linyi Normal University the following day when the school leaders knocked at the door. They had brought peace offerings of two bottles of Chinese liquor and a carton of fairly expensive Chinese cigarettes, and a contract for me to sign. Seemingly, they'd been trying unsuccessfully to schedule foreign teachers at another school in that one-horse town to do my classes. As the contract gave me what I had originally agreed, I signed it, and stayed there, instead of switching to Yishui. I was sorely tempted to do so to leave them in the mire, but just as well I didn't. Seems I made the right choice, more by accident than design. I could have jumped from the frying pan into the fire if I'd left there for Yishui.

ok, I see. I can face your attack.

First, I did apply for teaching in primary school, with kids.
They gave me this job after the interview, so blame the uni, not me. I gave them my website in resume, I talked with them in English with my accent.

But this is not about teaching - actually I had a good time with students,
and anyway my English is better than their teachers. My one year spent there definitely helped to improve student's English.
If you are a good teacher, you know that teaching is not only about native language - I've attended some classes leading by Americans - believe me, nobody cares if they could speak perfect English if they coudn't teach at all. It was terrible - no pedagogy skills, no contact with students, no motivation, no positive energy. If students don't like a teacher, they won't learn. I don't speak English perfect, but I can teach on this level. I wouldn't do it for advanced students. And I like this job.

Second - I'm not complaining for teaching. Even the school had no teaching plan (changing the schedule every few weeks), it was ok for me. University even don't know how I taught, they never checked me, they didn't care.
I'm warning others not about the job, but how they treat you.
I know I still need to work a lot on my English, so I accepted those terrible living conditions and small salary.

Linyi tried to change contract conditions several times, always on my disadvantage.
They tried to avoid payment for winter holidays, travel allowances, they changed payments dates, they required additional job for free,
they didn't give us Xmas and New Year holiday - and all we had in the contract. Even to receive monthly salary I had to fight for it.
All this cheats, lies, changing the contract rules, not showing on appointments, hanging off the phones, not informing you about the changes, broken promises, all this "tomorrows" etc. - it frustrated and stressed me too much.

Unless my feelings are standard in China, so in your opinion it should be obvious that universities treat foreigners like piece of s**t?
Sorry, but if you respect yourself, you wouldn't accept it.

Nobody complain for this Uni???
I know other teachers from Linyi, some of them are native speakers. Most of them are not happy, some have left, but I have no idea why they complained to me, not on this website?

have a nice day:)

michael

Holy crap! Reading your HORRENDOUS English on your own homepage suggests to me you don't the first thing about English. So, you come here complaining about some university? Oh PLEASE!!

It's clear you cannot live up to any acceptable standards of English ability. So, why should we believe you about this so-called bad university? There is a reason you couldn't find online complaints about the university before you applied and agreed to work there; because nobody has actual complaints against them.

Grow up, accept the fact you shouldn't be teaching English, and move on!

Wow! Talk about pathetic English "skills..."