biochip
- 2009-11-11
Yes, the test is remarkably flawed. In the version I got there was an instance in which the Chinese hadn't been translated in one of the answers. This leads me to believe what you are getting is a translation of a test given to Chinese employees, which would explain the completely irrelevant questions about Chinese culture. If a Chinese person doesn't know what people eat at Spring Festival, there might be a problem, but if a foreigner doesn't know that's merely to be expected.
As one poster stated some questions are so badly TRANSLATED that one can't decipher the intended meaning, and thus can't choose the correct answer even if one knows what it is.
That the test is translated in the first place surely indicates it was not actually designed for "foreign experts" at all, but seems to have been hastily compiled from two or more other sources. You may also notice that there are questions in the psychological evaluation (unimaginably ridiculous to take it at all seriously) that probably belong in a test for someone intending to operate a business in China, not teach.
I gather that the methodology by which one's psychological profile is determined is as flawed as the grammar and mismatched test questions. It's likely that a system as simple as determining characteristics based on a single answer is used. For example, if you were to answer in one question that you wouldn't sing if asked (perhaps because you can't and, well, you didn't grow up in a KTV culture in which it's just kinda' weird if you don't bust out pop tunes and prance around), than on the strength of choosing the wrong answer you may automatically be branded with something like: stubborn and unwilling to compromise.
People I know who have taken the test regarded it as laughable to sinister. The results, and particularly the psychological ones caused a lot of upset.
Why should teachers take a faulty, slapdash, ill-conceived examination that can't do them any good, can possibly do serious damage if anyone takes the botched results seriously, and is a grievous insult to participate in?
Particularly heinous is the attempt to brand teachers with psychological profiles based on a short list completely inept translations of specious questions, and then to put this garbage in a national database. Some employers may naively be duped into putting more importance into one's results on this test than their real credentials.
A possible solution to this would be to put together an "Employer of Foreign Expats Suitability Evaluation" in which they have to demonstrate their familiarity with Americana for example, and answer half-baked psychobabble questions in Englese.
Fore example.
1) What is the name of the pet "pig" in the TV sit-com, "Green Acres?"
a) Pinky
b) Babe
c) Arnold
d) Pluto
e) Zhu
That was the Americana question. Here's one for the psychological evaluation. Of course it will have to be translated into Chinese using internet software.
1) If foreigners become a little upset sometimes because local Chinese people constantly call them "wai guo ren" and "lao wai" and "Ying guo ren" and "Mei quo ren" you should
a) Tell them that everyone loves them.
b) Pretend you don't understand English.
c) Laugh and laugh.
d) Take their picture.
e) Say it is an honor to be a foreigner.
f) Spit.
The correct answer is e) Say it is an honor to be a foreigner, because this is the one they are least likely to be able to respond to, and some will believe it.
If you chose a) = You are clearly out of touch with reality and they will catch on to this.
b) = They will think you are either dim or have not interest in their culture or what they teach.
c) = This will be seen as an insult and they will imitate you behind your back.
f) = They may become confused and think this good habit is intended as a statement which is insulting.
I didn't actually complete the exam because it was an insult to my intelligence.
Irritated Foreign teacher
- 2009-11-09
Yes, I had to take this test. After working at my school for almost 2 and a half years now, my boss sprung this ridiculous test on me last week. I took the psychological exam, but after one look at the "elementary knowledge" exam, I decided it would be an insult for me to take that test. When my boss asked if I had completed the test, I just said "not yet" and hoped that I could get away with not taking the test and have the problem just go away. However, my boss informed me today that I must complete it before the end of the week.
The test is replete with grammar errors and of course, Chinglish. It is so bad that I would say at least one fourth of the questions I could not determine exactly what the question was asking. Yes, it also asks irrelevant questions about China. For example, one of the questions is : What are the four estates of Shanxi? First of all, it is unclear what the meaning of "estate" is in this question. Second, how would a foreigner know the answer to this question and more importantly, why would he or she need to know the answer in order to be an oral English teacher?
I also did some research and one piece of advice I found was to "think like a Chinese" when taking the psychological part of the exam. Well, my husband is Chinese and speaks excellent English so I had him guide me through that part of the test. The result? My score was a 41. I am not sure if that is 41 out of 100 or what, but it concerns me.
So should I continue to refuse to take the test or should I suck it up and take the stupid thing? Will a bad score mean my school won't want me to come back next year? This is already my third year here so I would hope that wouldn't be the case.
OK, my uni wants us all to submit ourselves to taking this test. You can see the front page of the site below.
http://202.96.25.8/IntlHR/login.php
Ostensibly it's to "evaluate" us, which would make one a bit concerned about the methods, accuracy and relevance of such an examination. Well, I did a little research, and there's scant little about this "evaluation" considering I've been told that SAFEA is making ALL teachers take this exam. Something tells me that's not the case.
My research uncovered that there's a big section with basically impossible-to-answer questions about China, Chinese holidays, and other stuff foreigners won't be familiar with unless they've already lived here quite a while. Further, there are grammatical errors, and apparently it's sometimes difficult to determine which answer is wanted even if one knows the answer, because of, well, Chinglish.
What caught my eye, though, was that the contact info is: mail:admin@chinajob.com">mail:admin@chinajob.com
Hmmm. Wouldn't that be the recruiting website? Well, when I looked at the registration page, I discovered it was. You have to agree to the terms of registration, which includes this bit:
How to register the Chinajob.com:
To register, all you need to do is to provide us with a username, a password and your email address as a point of contact to start with. If you post your resume with us, rest assured that we will absolutely respect your privacy and confidentiality concerns. Only with your prior consent will we allow corporate recruiters to access and review your resume.
and this:
All the services of Chinajob.com are free to job seekers. Registration gives you the ability to post your resume on our website.
So, am I registering to take an evaluation required of all foreign teachers by SAFEA, or am I putting my resume and results of "evaluation" into a recruitment database run by Chinajobs.com?
First, I'd like to know how many of you have actually taken this thing. Because of the inappropriate test on China it probably doesn't help anyone to not be able to ace the damned thing, so can't do much to improve the situation of people who are already employed with experience and references. It also seems like a hastily devised screening method for overseas applicants, not for established teachers with good reputations.
Anyone know anything about this?
Thanks in advance,
biochip