I will - Teachers discussion

Thanks, BD. I'll hang here as long as I need to. Don't worry.....I won't jump to conclusions and head for the exits too soon. If I go it'll be for good reasons.

R

Hey, BD - Teachers discussion

I've gotten a job in Thailand....for now. I'm taking this new job on a 'test drive' first, however. It's at a college, but that may not mean much. Before deciding to stay or go, I want to see how the students are here. If they're slack and don't give a damn about learning this stuff (like the students at my old high school were), I'll walk away and fly back to the USA in a week or two. This job pays fairly well for Thailand, and I'm already here, so I'm gonna ride this and see what happens.

I'm also engaged here. That's the reason I came back to Bangkok instead of flying on back to the USA from Korea when my Korean job fell through. Being in that situation changes everything.

It's a good thing the 'packers are a dime a dozen - Teachers discussion

It's a good thing the backpackers are a dime a dozen. A typical hogwan will go through about a dozen in a year. Yes, this is because the backpackers don't care, sure. But it's also because of the students. Students I've taught so far, from grade school to college, are spoiled brats who couldn't care less about learning English. Who wants to teach these kinds of students? No one with a decent teaching DEGREE does, or the 'wans wouldn't have to rely on the 'packer crowd to begin with. Thank goodness for the TESOL mills (or the makers of fake certificates), in other words.

Yes, there will always be a demand for the tourist/teacher you speak of. Who else is gonna teach TESOL? Holders of Harvard masters degrees in education who want 4000-dollar-a-week jobs? Yeah, right.

If schools like Korean hogwans want better teachers, they can start by giving those teachers better students who want to learn. Much better pay would help, too.

power to the people - Teachers discussion

I agree with Rheno - anything we can do to reduce the number of part-timer back-packers coming into the industry should be encouraged!

These *dime-a-dozen* teachers do little but lower the level of our professional standing, reduce quality in the classroom, ensure pityful work conditions and keep wages at an absolute minimum.

Unfortunately I think the industry can only be changed from the top down - whilst postings on forums like this will put off some of the *holiday teachers* real change will only come about through lobbying the industry's larger organisations which are actually in a position to bring about change

To Rheno and in reply to "don't worry" and "put up or shut up" - Teachers discussion

Hey Rheno,
Howzitgoin'? Glad to see you're still kickin' around Asia and even more glad to read your posts. Your posts are usually informative or insightful, if not downright humorous. So, thanks for taking the time to weave the threads of your current life into the tapestry of this forum.

As for those who have nothing better to do than to attack you without offering any real constructive criticism or guidance of their own,I can only wonder why they take the time to exercise their own negativity. Also,it's interesting to note that the "love it or leave it mentality" still exists in the 21st century. Or maybe we should call that the "all is hunky-dorry mentality." Whatever; I still have to chuckle about it - even if I'm doing so out of only one side of my mouth.

Albeit, just for fun, I've been perusing the web in search of interesting, if not necessarily applicable quotes regarding advice and opinion. Enjoy.

Many receive advice, few profit by it.
Publilius Syrus (~100 BC), Maxims

In giving advice, seek to help, not please, your friend.
Solon (638 BC - 559 BC)

The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815 - 1902), 1890

I've never had a humble opinion. If you've got an opinion, why be humble about it? Joan Baez

(Last, but not least, my personal favorite:)

I have opinions of my own - strong opinions - but I don't always agree with them. George Bush

Take care Rheno. Again, it's good to know you're still alive and kicking.

put up or shut up - Teachers discussion

I sincerely doubt there is anyone forcing you or your colleagues in Thailand to teach English

If you can't handle the liars, theives and cheats - which you will find in every country and in every profession - then why not quietly go back to wherever it was that you are running away from in the first place

If, on the other hand, you want to make the most of this wonderful opportunity to travel, see the world and experience new cultures then sit back and enjoy the ride!

its ok... dont worry - ESL discussion

Rheno - i obviously dont know you but looking thru your posts you come across as quite young and naive... and not having been abroad for long.

There are some very well documented changes/stages that a person goes through when living abroad and your posts suggest that this is what you are going thru - dont worry, its normal.

If it really is too much for you to deal with then I would sincerely suggest that you go back home.

If thats not an option then its best for you, your friends and family and of course your employers and students if you just get on with it.

Remember - you are in a different culture now and not at home - your employers and students probably think as little of you as you do of them...

arrogant - ESL discussion

Don't be arrogant. You ability as a teacher has nothing to do with your race. Don't get your ethnic background mixed up with teaching ability. You sound a little too proud....in a very arrogant sense. Let me bring you back to reality, there are many great teachers with many students who enjoy their English lessons. There will always be other teachers in the world with move talent and better teaching skills than you. So don't be too proud Mister.

Racism exist in all the world. Even in the USA, so the African Americans have not conquered racism and they never will unless the government becomes socialist like Cuba's.
Racism exist also for "white" people. Do you think it is easy for a white Anglo-Saxon person to be an ESL teacher in Pakistan, Egypt, or Saudi Arabia...? Guess what, it is also difficult. We face alot of racism too, not just "blacks" but also "whites". I guess every country and culture has it's preference of foreigners they like to cooperate with.

Black roses are truely beautiful - ESL discussion

Thank you for your positive words and powerful message

This forum is often so full of miserable and dissatisfied peoples' negativity - your words are a refreshing inspiration

Power to you and may you continue to spread your word - I can see why you are so popular with your students

Black, loved and happy - ESL discussion

Shall we blacks avoid China because of racism? Have we not faced it and overcome it in America? Have we not faced it and overcome it in Europe? Through out the world blacks are settling more and more and calling many different countries their home. As I, a black American, have traveled as and ESL teacher, throughout North Africa, the Middle East and now Asia, I've seen that blacks, especially Africans have traveled and settled in every country that I've visited.

When people aren't around a specific people or culture they can form their own opinions about them. But when they come to know you, they come to love you. At least, that's what I've found in every country that I've traveled to. Why should we as black people run from racism? How will it ever end if we hide ourselves in places where we feel safe. It was the bold blacks of American history who desegregated schools, restaurants, buses and every other public place. They faced racism and overcame it. Now we are accepted and respected.

Why not travel the world and do the same? Once people get to know me, they say their whole idea of black people and Americans in general has been changed. It takes bold people to make a difference. I have had the privilege of being loved and accepted by all my employers and Students alike. I invite them into my life, my culture, my history and my family. I share with them and welcome them. As a result many of my employers have hired other black friends of mine from America as well as Africa. They are happy with them. Their mindsets are changed. Even the students love and prefer them.

I've had students request me as a teacher and say they won't come to the school unless they can have me. When my classes are too full, they simply pulled out and waited till the next semester so they could have me or begged me to give them private lessons in my free time.

So shall we run from one nation or another because we hear that the people there are racist. No, we must face racism and overcome it with love and honor. Let people see who us black people really are. We are People, just like every other people.

Face racism and overcome it. There are plenty of schools through out China and the rest of the world who would love to hire a black person who is honorable, respected and hardworking. We can bring good business to their schools as I've brought good business to my former employers. We can change their mindsets and attitudes. We can make a difference if we face the challenges instead of hiding and running away. I'm glad the famous Black Americans of history didn't hide but they faced racism and overcame it to make life better for us today.

Yo Mike

Dear Mike.

Thanks for your feedback man, you have really given a clear picture of ground zero.

Well. I was planning to join as a Management Teacher.............got offer from Qunzhaou Normal University. But was reluctant for many reasons. And after reading your article......I should say, I played safe.

But still would like to join some institution who is looking for serious Buisness, Management and HR Teaching.

Bye

Racism in China

I sat here this evening reading these boards and a few others I was simply amazed at how many "teachers" we have here that (based on writing skills, demeaner, and attitude) that you got any type of job at all let alone a teaching job.
In this post I am going to be up front and quite blunt for these are the facts about most (NOT all) schools, companies, and agencies in China that hire people.
First off the Chinese people are attempting to show, grow, and live as westerners and America being the most followed with Movies and such it is basically the American way they are trying to live. With that in mind the remainder of this will shed some light for you.
Western countries have looked down on races other than white for thousands of years (America being just under 300).
The Chinese employers are in the business to make money and they feel a "white" teacher will earn them more in ways of advertising, students, and such.
Dont get me wrong I have seen many colored teachers get good jobs as well as tv shots here in China so it is by far from being all over China.
If Americans, and English look down on the color of skin then the Chinese will follow to be more westernized.
Some of the posts on here were outright racism in themselves.
Lets look at history:
White man kills off all the Indians, grabs Africans to do their work (this is why most "white" people are lazy. then crys about it when there are too many to control.
But this goes to the colored man too, you cannot spend your life complaining about what some people did 300 years ago GET OVER IT.
I have absolutly nothing against black, red, yellow, or white but by god its gone too far when a boss cannot hire the one he wants in fear of a color man crying out "racism" they dont have that issue in China and its because of that, that the Chinese boss will always hire who he believes will bring in the most profit.
Its NOT racism in China, its business and its money.
Has nothing to do with accents, passports, or anything it IS color.
Proof to that is there are French teachers teaching English because they are WHITE. its not racism its business (at least the Chinese people dont see it as racism)
Now to get to the other part of why:
A black person no matter were they are from is black and in the eyes of the Chinese is african, filipinos, are philipino, indians are indian. your money is worth less than the Chinese RMB and THAT is why they look down on you.
It money, its business.
I know you (the colored people of the world) had hoped to leave your lands and come to China to get away from all that garbage but the fact isthe Chinese are the most prejudice people in the world (even against themselves) but it is not racism to them its business.
I saw in one post a person was talking about it being a crime for this and that about color of skin, I am sorry but there are NO equal oprotunity jobs in China. The Chinese people own their business 100% and do not have to answer to the law when it comes to who they will hire.
A good note for you though is this:
Large cities are more westernized and are accepting color more than before. Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen dont care about color but dont expect to get all the benifits from central China (flat, high pay vs cost of living, and other commodoties)
I am not racist (I have hired several to work based on qualifications not skin color)
But for the most part schools and companies in China prefer white as it is.
Besides NO foreign teacher in China is a real teacher WE ARE ALL DANCING BEARS who intertain the children of the rich families who can afford us.
(This was not ment to offend anyone just my eyes seeing it as it is being a recruiter in China for schools and knowing whatthey want) the why is my opinion and expressed as such MY OPINION, this is not directed at anyone of any single color, ethnic group, or person.
Thank you