TEACHERS DISCUSSION FORUM
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#1 Parent San Migs - 2012-01-06
Re: T/As, spare them a thought!

Educator or edutainor who cares, the chinese do the paying...

I didn't make the first post with accusations anyways!

I dont use Chinese in the class, tell him, the troll...he started this!

#2 Parent foxy - 2012-01-06
Re: T/As, spare them a thought!

It all depends on the actual school itself, and whether you are an educator or an edutainer. You are likely the latter. And there's no need for any of us to speak Chinese, btw.
A TA is a valuable asset in a classroom. She can make it easier for students to understand what's being taught. She can tell them why, by translating explanations given by an FT. That's very important. Efficient teaching that is effective. She can be the catalyst, and make the FT's job easier and less tiring.
My TA is hard-working and reliable. She's a university graduate, formerly an English major, and a decent girl, though her oral English is poor. Says a lot about the kind of education Chinese universities provide, doesn't it!

#3 Parent San Migs - 2012-01-05
Re: T/As, spare them a thought!

Teaching senior middle school without a T/A is tough - I've done it, never again!

That's funny, because I teach seniors at grade 1 and 2 at a middle school, and I wouldn't say it is tough. You get the odd boy who plays up, the boys at the back as long as they shut up I don't really care, but never anything so bad as to require a T/A?

#4 Parent Nigel - 2012-01-05
Re: T/As, spare them a thought!

T/As who work for the company I work for are English major university graduates. They would never work in pink rooms! They are not the kind of girls who would become whores. Overpaid? Not at all. Each T/A here has to submit detailed lesson plans. She also has to assist her FT with problems, such as opening a bank account and a visit to the doctor's. In addition, she has to deal with the landlord of her FT's apartment whenever problems occur with utilities and anything else that pertains to his accommodation. When he leaves after his contract has expired, she must clean the apartment. She must attend training every weekend on Saturday for 5 hours. All this for a fixed salary of 800 a month plus 5 Yuan per FT's class. My T/A is on 1200 a month, as I've 18 classes/ week. And she must liase with the Chinese teachers at the school on behalf of the company and her FT. She must also befriend the students and try to get her FT to satisfy them regarding the teaching. If she stays year after year, her salary goes up by 100 Yuan/month from one year to the next. Holiday pay for Spring Festival/summer vacation? Nothing at all. But she does get a cellphone allowance of 50 Yuan/month. However, her accommodation may be as basic as a school dorm. No wonder the turnover of T/As is very high. My T/A does not have very good English, but she definitely makes my teaching more efficient by her translations into Chinese. Teaching senior middle school without a T/A is tough - I've done it, never again! You should stop berating those poor girls. They do not deserve it!

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