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Q: Getting fired in china
Does anyone have any experience with getting fired.
9 years 51 weeks ago in Business & Jobs - China
Seriously dud, a good look in the mirror is long overdue. Your English blows goats and you are, according to what you have written here, a totally objectionable douche at work. You are simply too high maintenance to have working there. End of story. Next please....
Answer this question; why in God's name would they want to have you as a teacher, let alone keep you?
You have to be pretty bad to be actually fired here.
Shining_brow:
Actually....
I know a guy who's been fired about 3 times in the space of a year.
Ok, he's an NNS English teacher, but has the right looks.
I don't know about his actual teaching... but ihi favourtie hobby is making the Chinese co-workers lose face in public - especially HR staff, who are often incompetent.. or at least really slow and often lazy! Perhaps also DoS'
WCG:
Shining, what the heck is NNS? Neo Nazi Supremacist? Not so Normal schizophrenic?
icnif77:
a 'Non-Na(t)ive Slob English teacher' 
Why is Shining keep using this abbr.?
However, there's another poster, who's writing same as Shining. O2, P., U., O. What that means? I want to know! 02
What is your question? What will happen?
Generally people dont get fired. They should know how crap you are by the time probation ends and after that theyll just make you feel unwelcome untill you leave or tue contract expires.
If you got fired you must have cocked up. No way its because your a bad teacher. You either did something real stupid or are too damn creepy.
Anyways if your so bad that they took the drastic step of canning you then youll be ok. They will probably follow the rules just to be rid of you ask quick as possible.
Let us know what happened!
star32569:
They are asking me to sign a paper I agree to make less because students don't like my teaching style. And then put a clause saying if I refuse they have a right to fire me.
mike695ca:
Do not sign it. You dont have to. If they want you to sign a waiver allowing them to fire you then obviously they feel they cant fire you now. Youve been pretty honest here so be honest with yourself. Are you worse than your other teachers? I say have a meeting with your bosses and accept that you havent done a good enoigh job. Do NOT sign the form but ask why your not doing as well. Get some ideas how to improve. Talk to your peers and make more of an effort. If you try harder im sure your school will see that.
Just second hand experience. The guy was fired because he was making money by using his students for his freelance work (and of course the students didn't get a dime while being overworked to the max).
How do you get fired in China? 
They didn't even fire me...
Btw in the last 24 hours youve made posts about getting banned from china, not getting your flight tickets and now getting fired. I think its damage control time buddy, you have done a great job of pissing off the people that control your salary bonus and visa its time to get to work and see what you can do to make things right.
star32569:
Yes, I posted so many because I just received my last check. Want to know my options because I don't want to keep working if they will cheap me later. The contract was only 4 months I figured no matter how bad I could finish. But if they are not paying my flight I can go now. The contract says yes it also says if I violate rules and policies I can be terminated without compensation. I don't know what the rules are because they are not written and I don't want to be used last 2 months then cheated. They say my teaching style is not good enough and students don't want to go to class and I am at a university
star32569:
So now I won't get my flight unless I sign this letter. I told them I would pay the fine but want my fight booked first. I have received no response, I know you can get banned for doing a runner. Any advice if they won't budge on me not signing a letter that states my teaching style is intolerable.
My advice, request termination of the contract in 30 days. Make sure you put in writing that they have 1 week to furnish all documents required for you to find another job.
People need to learn when they are being scammed. This is China for christs sake. Your employer is trying to scam you.
Never communicate in person when talking about this type topic, use email and text messaging.
This is based on the limited information I have read in your thread.
Right this second you should start looking for other jobs and contact the PSB or SAFEA. Let them know you wish to leave your current job and ask them what documents you would need from them.
It seems to me you are being scammed into taking a lower salary.
star32569:
I signed a short contract, they changed it when I landed to say they would not pay for flight home because they said it was a mistake. I did not sign and they kept the old one, now they say students don't like me. I was just paid and don't want to continue because I feel they will try to find a way not to pay my flight. They already changed the contract once I landed. Then they want me to sign a paper saying I know my teaching style is the problem.
Englteachted:
Where are you really from? Your English is awful, I think that's the problem.
icnif77:
'Everybody comes from his/her mom!'
However, Engl. might not be satisfied with this 'universal' answer, 'cause he's an American. Always, when I 'tested' that answer in US, I got another Q: 'OK then, where does your mother come from?'
I'm curious - what's the actual reason they want to fire you?? Be honest now!!
star32569:
Well there are 2 Americans at my school, me and another who is 60. He is a favorite and does many things for the school. Such as writing thesis for chinese teachers and giving students hundreds of rmb; and basically anything else you can think. I am a black American and the students so far scream when I walk near them and are not comfortable around me. He does nothing in class and I have rules and structure. I believe he is the first American they have ever had. So they compare us all the time and consider me a headache, I won't accept anything they give and fight for myself. When they said they cannot pay for my flight, I sent emails of a teacher promising to pay. Since I have been here I have been asked to pay to print and copy materials, but have refused and this was a problem because the other teacher does these things. I am just not a fit and really came to make a difference. I did start to play games because it was a drag having real lessons so these complaints are coming from my first month when I knew nothing. I just finished my second semester and after teachers randomly turn up to my class they confront me in front of students calling me crazy telling me the students hate me. I don't think I need to accept this...oh the other American told them he doesn't mind taking my classes so I just see them getting rid of me to solve the problem. Just my take on the situation but I don't know....Oh I also told my recruiter in confidence I would not recommend the school who then told them. The other American wrote a positive letter but told me he hoped someone would call him. But the recruiter said there was No American there.
Shining_brow:
Yeah, not an uncommon tale!
I suspect your major problem is location. You'd have better luck (and conditions, and pay) in bigger cities... so, if you have the qualifications, move!
Englteachted:
Your English is awful and according to you, you can't teach. On top of that you are stupid, telling the recruiter something "in confidence" about the school? Please go back to where ever you came from. My bet , this is a troll trying to make black teachers look bad.
I could be paranoid but they asked to meet then keep postponing it and said if I want to complain call dean. I did no answer so I emailed because he said that is better. Then I forwarded the documentation I had of me asking how to improve, what my duties were and details on receiving my flight and the Foreign expert at the school telling me it would be reimbursed when I landed. One hr later he comes banging on my door. I did not answer because he is aggressive and has insulted me twice....I think it is time to jet, they don't want to say they will give me the flight but claim they need me. The other American at the school told me he was asked to teach my classes...I think they want to keep me till end of contract and use the letter to refuse flight.
I could be paranoid but they asked to meet then keep postponing it and said if I want to complain call dean. I did no answer so I emailed because he said that is better. Then I forwarded the documentation I had of me asking how to improve, what my duties were and details on receiving my flight and the Foreign expert at the school telling me it would be reimbursed when I landed. One hr later he comes banging on my door. I did not answer because he is aggressive and has insulted me twice....I think it is time to jet, they don't want to say they will give me the flight but claim they need me. The other American at the school told me he was asked to teach my classes...I think they want to keep me till end of contract and use the letter to refuse flight.
Englteachted:
God you are stupid. I see it clearly now. They are actually being nice, you are horrible as a teacher. They want to allow you to finish out the contract accept a lower salary because they will not use you as a teacher. Basically they are willing to pay you not to teach. They have a track record. They have no problem with your race, they saw your photo before they hired you. You are simply an awful excuse for an English teacher. Please do "jet".
star32569:
But really, every teacher prior to me quite. They are desperate and a picture means nothing they had no other options. I came for that reason thought I could make a difference at a small school. But then found it is just play time and not rewarding. Horrible....nope but I do want to do more than games.
I knew this one teacher who got fired. He was a nut...
Some Australian dude (nothing against Aussies, I get along well with them) that told everyone he slept with a girl in Australia and she was part of the "Lesbian Police" and now he is a criminal on the run. One of those conspiracy theorist guys... for an English corner... as I walked by... he told the entire class they should drink their piss if they got lost.
Actually, the other foreign teachers wanted him fired too... because he would sit in the office and distract us from planning lessons talking about the "Lesbian Police" and how he got kicked out of South Korea because he was "too smart".
Yeah this guy was a real nutter, you sort of remind me of him. No offense.
Hulk:
Older guy, in his late 40s, early 50s? Red-faced from drinking too much (severe alcoholism), white hair, kind of fat and really creepy looking? Was his name "Craig"?
Robk:
You seem kind of paranoid and perhaps view things under an entirely different perception than most people in society. The way you word things just seems strange for a native-English speaker as well. You kind of have a "everything-seems-to-revolve-around-me" type of persona.
But maybe you have been driven crazy by a crappy school, who knows?
I think OP's major trouble isn't his English (who am I to judge?), but ....:
You come to teach at Chinese Uni, and try to 'improve/change' School's way of teaching.
1. You were not hired to show everybody how good you are!
2. You were hired to teach by School's standards! You can suggest different way of teaching, but if they aren't hot for your ideas, you should follow School's norms, or leave!
Before signing Contract, I always ask for curriculum at the School. Do students have books, which we will follow? If answer is 'no, you can (must) make your own lessons', I'm always a bit uncomfortable. In general, I won't sign Contract, if no books at School.
It is easier to follow the book (and add teaching material to that), than prepare my own lessons subjects.
When you follow School's book, possibility of complains is much lower, than when one must do his/hers lessons.
The biggest mistake is to change Uni's way of teaching. Go with the flow! If flow sucks, don't try to change it, but move on.
star32569:
I think this is helpful, school never told me what they were looking for. I didn't know what was going on. I was not trying to change but had them at American standards. Now I know but don't think pay should be deducted because they left me without any rules or regulations and complain later.
icnif77:
School will generally not tell you what they want. You should find out that yourself! Key word is 'adjust'! There are no American standards! Only 'norms' you can infuse is correct pronunciation. Even then, one can argue that 'Americans pronounce different than Canadians or British'. This is China! Adjust yourself to their norms, or leave!
Shining_brow:
I would disagree with Incif's "less complaints if you follow the book" idea.
If you follow the book, they'll get bored to death... and with a foreign teacher, they expect something different (ie, games and movies).
So, I'd say - more complaints, but less valid ones!
icnif77:
'Games' only as reward in my class! I show some movies only in English Corner classes, never in regular class. I rarely teach what students expect from FT. I teach, 'what and how' Principal wants.
I was 'teaching' G 3-6 to use pencil with lessons. I showed them how to pronounce long English words on BB, and demanded they copy BB to their books.
Chinese English teachers start to do that at their classes too. Students English books are full of notes since few months ago.
star32569:
I agree with books bore them, school told me to use it but students stopped responding. Telling me the last teacher did not and they are not happy. So I tried to use both book and my own lessons. They also claim I don't give them time to talk but they stand up and stare when it is their turn. I just think I am not a fit, want a flight home but after this not sure if I will get one.
icnif77:
Write 'SAFEA' in the search bar above, and look for address and contact numbers of Gov. org! Other name for SAFEA is Foreign Expert Bureau. They will help you with retrieval of all documents, and your pay per Contract. It is the same office, where you got your Foreign Expert Certificate.
Good luck!
Where are you teaching? In a university or a training center. Kids or adults? From my experience it is very possible to get fired (or have your classes taken from you) in a training center, especially if the kids don't like you. It takes time to learn how to teach, gotta find a way that works for you and the kids.
Universities usually wait untl your contract is up and then if they aren't happy they don't offer a new one. Rarely do they fire someone during the contract as its a mess to find a new teacher for them.
star32569:
University...I just feel the resources are not here, I have to pay to print and copy. This is a tech school and the students don't want anything hard. My feedback was my expectations are too high for their ability, they have given up and don't want more out of life.
Hey Star,
I think I know your situation a little better and can explain. You came to China and thought that because you were going to teach at a university, it would be all hardcore and a real challenge. The kids would want to be challenged and you would do your best to help them.
Unfortunately, the truth is this... UNLESS their major is English, they are not really interested in English class. University is a time for slacking, internet games, drinking, sleeping and shopping for most of them. Not sure if you know about the "Gao Kao" but that is a grueling university examination they take to be accepted in to post-secondary.
They study, basically entirely for this, from elementary to high school. So when they get to university/college... they just want to focus only on one or two specific subjects (mainly related to their interested careers) and that's all.
Many students look at university like "the storm is over and it is time to rest". Also, most teachers in China, teach out of a book. They normally don't print materials or hand-outs really... especially in smaller places. Without their books, they would be 100% lost. So the school doesn't really offer proper equipment in this area.
In that sense, many universities in China are just like degree/diploma mills. Just pay... sit in some class and get the paper.
star32569:
All my students are English majors, but you are right. I am disappointed I wanted to practice before going to Saudi Arabia. This position is not preparing me for the next position and the pay is not motivating.
But I am trying to avoid being blacklisted and would like the rest of my incoming flight. I do care and told them just because they did not get into the best school does not mean we should give up.
Students claimed they understood unfortunately the one class that refused to attend my class was very far behind. Chinese translation class, I heard the last teacher let them watch movies and just taught the 4 students who care. I took a rural position to give back but once I saw there was no reward I acted accordingly but too late. I hear the students wrote letters saying my class was too strict. But this is my second month and I have since adjusted to movies and games.
Robk:
Yeah, then I think the blame isn't really yours at all. You are just going through a culture shock and don't know how to handle it. If you want to get out without being black listed you have to play ball.
That means letting the kid watch movies, play games while still learning perhaps a new word or two per class (so they can tell themselves and others they learned SOMETHING). It also means being REALLY nice to your Chinese boss, but that may already be too late if you made him/her lose face. You will have to help them gain face by offering to maybe do a marketing stint for them or hosting an event (like a English competition or something). Or possibly going with them to a dinner with your boss and his/her buddies/colleagues... (could involve drinking, smoking and strange questions). Then you may get off the hook.
DrMonkey:
@Star Just a small comment to support you : I've been there too. You come and want to teach something, you invest yourself, you also ask the students to invest themselves. The students, for reasons explained well by Robk, are mostly shameless slackers that won't hesitate to trash you if you push them to work with no room for slacking. If the teacher push them to work, they will blame your accent, your method, anything will do if they feel they won't get automatically get 65/100 minimum. I was lucky to have a boss who understood what I was doing, I decided to play it hardball with the students, iron fist in an iron glove, and my boss let me do it like that. Well the boss told me diplomatically to go easy, I say "ok", but I did not budge. He did not went further, I even got a raise. In China, it's exceptional, the regular attitude is to shoot the messenger when there's a problem.
Shining_brow:
@ Star - don't worry, from what I've read on other forums, this is preparing you well for Saudi :p
There are over 1000 universities in China, and you're going to find those attitudes from students in most of them - except the top ones (although, I'd also say, don't hold your breath about those either!)
Also remember, English majors are usually the bottom of the barrel when it comes to majors in China. In a way, this makes sense. They've been forced to learn a foreign language, without seeing any real benefit from it. Also, if you only have a language as a major, your options are limited as far as career choices, and as well as earning potential (either teaching or as some form of translation). Virtually any other major they do will have better options later.
In my country, doing a language major can be added to (double-degree) with business, econ, international studies, etc etc... But not here! (although, some students will do business with English studies)
Seriously dud, a good look in the mirror is long overdue. Your English blows goats and you are, according to what you have written here, a totally objectionable douche at work. You are simply too high maintenance to have working there. End of story. Next please....
Answer this question; why in God's name would they want to have you as a teacher, let alone keep you?
Ask for specifics that your school thinks are wrong with your teaching style.
a general statement saying your style is 'intolerable' is a cop-out
Again, document everything.
make it clear you want to engage with them, but don't sign anything.
If your not white it's pretty easy to get fired in China.
ScotsAlan:
From my experience, it's easy to fire yellow people. Yellow people fire yellow people all the time. White people get fired too. As do red people. Black people. Black people sack white people. White people sack black people. Christians sack Muslims. Muslims sack white Christians. Punks sack rockers. Rockers sack punks.
I was sacked by a white guy 4 years ago. Can you guess what colour I am?
