The place to ask China-related questions!
Beijing Shanghai Guangzhou Shenzhen Chengdu Xi'an Hangzhou Qingdao Dalian Suzhou Nanjing More Cities>>

Categories

Close
Welcome to eChinacities Answers! Please or register if you wish to join conversations or ask questions relating to life in China. For help, click here.
X

Verify email

Your verification code has been sent to:

Didn`t receive your code? Resend code

By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .

Sign up with Google Sign up with Facebook
Sign up with Email Already have an account? .
Posts: 63

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Q: New to China and teaching any tips?

Hey all, this is my second time in China  (first time as a student in Wenzhou University) but this time as a full-time teacher in Chungchun for Jilin University.  I was wondering if anyone had some tips or pointers on how to run a "oral English class."  I did not receive a textbook yet to make any lesson plans and I am not really sure what is expected of me yet.  My main goal to achieve while I am here in China is to learn Chinese, but I do not want to short change my students and I want to give them the best opportunity to learn English.  So yeah, any advice is welcome. Thanks.

10 years 29 weeks ago in  Teaching & Learning - China

 
Answers (15)
Comments (17)
Posts: 3837

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

It is unlikely you will receive any books for your classes. Also, unless you are oral English teacher for something like IELTS of in the Foreign Language Department, you will not be expected to be anything other than an 'entertainer'. Maybe the best the best thing you can do is base lessons around every-day situations, eg shopping.  Good Luck !

craigjj505:

 I was just going over the comments again and I noticed this "IELTS", I remember one of the staff people in the Foreign Language dept. told me that I would be teaching the best 60 students of a certain college here and she called them "elites" or at least that is what I thought I heard.  Is this "IELTS" possibly what I heard?

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1263

Shifu

1
4
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
5

Get out while you still can!

Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 22

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Keep in mind that most people in this forum seem to be very jaded, if not a bit mentally ill.  With the exception of a couple of minor incidences I have felt very welcome here.  China is not perfect but no place is.  Yes, if your classes are entertaining, if you can creatively come up with new and interesting ideas to keep your classes attention that is definitely a plus.  I see many people complain about the horrible "racist" treatment they receive, the people are so rude, they are expected to be 'entertainers' etc.  Everyone loves to be a victim.  What student doesn't want their teacher to be entertaining?  Why not have fun with your job?  Keep a positive attitude and thick skin.  Roll with the punches and keep your head up.  Yes, it's different from the west but with the right outlook and attitude it can be very rewarding.  Good luck.

Hulk:

I'm upvoting you because I'm mentally ill. *twitches*

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse

sorrel:

thanks for your vote of confidence on my mental state - I was unsure what stage I was at in terms of my mental health.

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse

vuducknudle:

If you think this comment applies to you then seek help.  As they say, if the shoe fits wear it

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse

mike168229:

Who has ever said that?

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse

IrvineWelsh:

Surely its impossible to be 'a bit mentally ill'.

 

You either ill or you're not.

 

But if you've got it flaunt it...

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse

happywanderer:

I'm a bit mentally ill.  I'm also a bit Klingon.

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse

99Silva:

You summed up this place very nicely..... There are also people that are so addicted that they can't log off for one whole entire day without checking the place out. 

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse

vuducknudle:

Irvine, Have you ever had a touch of a cold?  Maybe just the sniffles?  That's it.  Many people on this site have mental sniffles.

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 73

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

To the above poster,

 

Jaded and mentally ill…hmmm…what a fantastic way to introduce yourself to the forum community and make friends with the majority of posters; and on your third post! I can see you going down a hit.

 

There's some good advice there and without a doubt it’s important to keep students interested in the subject content you are teaching, particularly with young learners. However, when it comes to teaching university students though, it’s time to get a bit tougher. Yes, a few role-plays and activities that engage them are important, but come on; they are not 5 or 6 anymore.

 

I know in comparison to most oversea uni’s, Chinese universities are a joke, but they are at a stage in their education where they need to be putting the work in not laughing to some foreign clown who spoon feeds them information only for them to forget it next lesson. Case studies, presentations, assignments and setting them outer class reading with task exercises, for example, reading a chapter between classes, setting them questions and getting them to bring their answers for the next week so it can be debated and discussed as a group are the way to go. Moreover this actually helps develop skills they can actually use when in future employment.

 

The problem in China is that the delivery of a successful ESL class is judged exclusively on its entertainment value; and more often then not this is completely at the expense of education. In short, adults require education not ‘edutainment’.

vuducknudle:

thanks for the advice, but I'm not here to make friends.  I have plenty of those.  I only wanted to respond to some of the ugliness, ignorance and whining I see from reading this garbage on a daily basis.  I'll admit that perhaps I was lashing out because of what I have read on so many other topics.

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse

Englteachted:

Well put, the above poster probably is not a teacher. Or at least has never set foot in a classroom in a "Western Country". Equating "an entertainer" with "being entertaining" displays a serious lack of comprehension. 

 

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse

davidccollis:

So true. I find it quite funny that vudcknudle responds to users he believes post ugly, ignorant and whining posts with a post that depicts tones of ugliness, ignorance and whining. Go figure.

10 years 28 weeks ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 63

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Thanks everyone for the information, it really is appreciated.  I was worried about being looked at as an entertainer (because personally I disliked singing, dancing, role play, etc. in teaching settings when I was younger) as I planned to more towards running debates and discussions with my students.  Thanks again.

Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 95

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I found and downloaded Interchange Level 1 (including workbook, student book, and teacher book).  I used that as it had the curriculum built into the book.  Also it is meant for young adults and I did require my students to get the student copy, which I made available at the local print shop, and bring to class.  I had classes of 40 plus students so it worked perfect.  I did tailor the lesson plans because the grammar sections are really easy for the students but used most of the speaking and listening exercises.  Listening exercises were good for warm-up in the beginning of class.  I did like focusing on an aspect of grammar in their oral English as the students all seem to use the present tense or mostly simple present and having more trouble with future and perfect tenses.  Also there is a linguistic aim in almost every unit which was a nice extra layer to add to the class (e.g., sentence stress, intonation, etc).  I made the workbook optional plus I would email them the books if they wanted to print them themselves.  Also the Interchange series is American English.  I would also say be familiar or look at International Phonics Alphabet (IPA).

 

There is a lot of stuff out there on torrent sites that you can download in reference to teaching, English, linguistics, and the combination of these.

 

Another University I only had 20 students, but did my own thing.  The school gave me a textbook but it was horrendous.  Not just the text but also the layout.  I am really big about putting them in small groups and giving them questions, or role-playing.  So questions will have topics but also grammatical aims.  

 

The big thing I would say is modeling.  I mean model what you want with a few students before you have them do the activity so they know what is expected.  Almost two to three times before any activity.  Model it.  It will be hard at first but after a few weeks they understand what you are doing. 

DaqingDevil:

Nice, informative post!

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 791

Shifu

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Like BobC I find the Interchange books pretty good and I have created every lesson, books 2 and 3 as well, as a Power Point presentation with lots of stuff I have added like video clips and interactive grammar exercises.

The secret, IMHO, to having a successful class and one in which the students learn is to provide exercises that makes them have to speak. Once you get them started they never shut up. I have adapted a couple of strategies that basically forces them to contribute orally to the lesson.

Good luck and above all - enjoy!

Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2494

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Break your lesson down into sections...basically don't stay on the same thing the entire time. Also, if you are  going to play games make sure it pertains to the lesson being taught. Keep the games fresh. The same game played over and over will get old very fast. If they have a favorite game use that, but try to come up with new games. Play the game at the end of the lesson. 

Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago

There are cookies, bookies and too many rookies for me to sit here trying to be a hooky! Looky Looky don't call me a wooky. Touchy Touchy Feely Feely Spicy Spicy Nicey Nicey & that's what the doctor Ordered!!

 
Posts: 4421

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Try to enjoy your work and don't get caught up in the negative gossip about China, try to see positive things about working in China.

Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 3837

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

@ Craigjj505, for some reason i can't respond to your comment above, so here is my answer.

IETLS (International English Language Testing System) is one of two internationally recognised exams international students must take before applying for a place in a foreign university. TOEFL is the other one. The student must attain a minimum score (each course will specify that minimum score) in either exam before they can be given a place, as classes will be in English. As this is an international exam, the requirements are VERY specific. are those students planning on studying abroad?

Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2381

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Dude, if you are teaching a IELTS class, that's really unfair of the college on the kids and on you. As Sorrel rightly says, the requirements are VERY specific and to teach an IELTS prep course you really should have some quals, experience and knowledge of the test itself.

 

I'd ask again and find out, so that you can at least read up on what your students will need t do in the test.

Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 63

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I have heard of TOEFL but never IETLS and I just started researching it.  I really hope this is not the case now because maybe the person really just said "elite" but I highly doubt it.  Well this make more sense as they said my fellow co-teachers had some sort of certifications.  Crap... I will ask again, we are having a meeting on Monday. I just wish they would have told me this over the summer when I asked what I'll be doing because I had another job offer from my own university here in China and I turned them down for this University because my Chinese teacher is from here.... Thanks though for your information, I am going to keep doing as much research as possible.  Thanks again, very much.

mike168229:

Hi there, I taught IELTS (and TOEFL) prep for just over a year, like you I was kind of thrown into it. If they have other Chinese prep teacher, I have found it is best for the foreign  teacher to concentrate on getting them to answer in detail and to improve their description vocab. This will help them in their answers. Their other teachers will concentrate on the reading, writing, etc.

If you are their only teacher, disregard all of the above and do some serious research if you want to help!

Good luck!

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse

craigjj505:

Thanks, and yeah I have co-teachers, I will be in charge of speaking and listening

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 3837

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I was informed that i was teaching a 'Smart' class once a week. When i asked for more information, i was told that it would be about 25 students who wanted 3 hours of oral English. All levels of ability, and not for exam preparation.

Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 3494

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I work at a middle school teaching grades 7 and 8.  English levels are elementary at best. Perhaps some students are beyond that, but only just.

Can someone recommend an ideal book for classroom use?  I remember using 'Look' a couple of years ago and thought those books were pretty good.

How can I get my hands of a copy of Look?  I think they were from Singapore.

As for IELTS, how difficult is it teaching Chinese speakers how to write English!

Correcting Chinese English writing is the ultimate headache inducing activity I can think of.

 

Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Posts: 63

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Apparently I am just teaching an "elite" class not IELTS thankfully, also I am surprised  at how well organized this school is, we have all the text books and a schedule ready to go.... 

sorrel:

good to hear it was cleared up toy our satisfaction. I have just been told that I am teaching first-year students, despite being assured MANY MANY times that I was not..... This is China

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse

craigjj505:

Haha yes got to love China, after that meeting I felt so releaved and then one of the office ladies came up to me and said I had to go to the doctors today to review my physical forma nd its 270 RMB  which would not be a problem normally but with no contract yet and having little funds to work with this was a big "This is China" haha, Thanks again for all your input

10 years 29 weeks ago
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
10 years 29 weeks ago
 
Know the answer ?
Please or register to post answer.

Report Abuse

Security Code: * Enter the text diplayed in the box below
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <br> <p> <u>
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Textual smileys will be replaced with graphical ones.

More information about formatting options

Forward Question

Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77