I've finally gotten started on classes, though out of all of the classes I've got, only one class is really going well. I have a group of students from around age six to twelve. That class has been going for about a month and a half now and the students seem to be learning a lot, though it is a beginner's class. I plan the lessons for that class ahead of time and execute the classes fairly well, though my school doesn't really have anything that's necessary for the class to run properly. The school has no toys to help teach, lacks the basics for elementary age students (like scissors, construction paper, crayons, etc...) so the classes are basically just me saying the words and the students repeating, along with the occasional game of Simon Says and red light, green light. I also don't have a computer, so my lessons are planned on scrap paper. And there's no screen or projector to use in the classroom. Despite this, it's probably the best planned and executed class I've encountered so far in China, so that's something, I guess.
As for the other classes, I'm teaching adults twice a week and fifteen kindergarten classes a week (those are only half an hour each). It doesn't feel like I'm working much, but that's because I don't really prepare for the adult or the kindergarten classes. Both are because I'm being kind of passive aggressive towards the schools. Neither have provided me with sufficient teaching supplies.
The adult classes are at my school. I'm not sure if any of the students are actually paying. I think Nick, the owner, might just be trying to get some classes going so that people will tell their friends to come learn English.If that's the case, then I don't feel bad about neglecting my responsibilities as a teacher. Right now, we're just reading through the book every day. We skip the parts that require the students to listen to an audio excerpt and I practice vocabulary pronunciations with them. That's good enough as far as I'm concerned.
The kindergarten classes are definitely filled with tuition-paying kiddies, but I'm being pimped out to that place by my school, so I'm not actually receiving any pay from them. Nick said I would only have to show up, sing some songs and play some games. All the details would be arranged by the school. Of course, as is the Chinese way, when I arrived I was told that I should be making lesson plans for the classes. Also, I should be including my own songs, brought to the school on my own flash drive; and my own games, for which I would have to bring my own materials. Also: no one at the kindergarten speaks English. I told them "Fat chance," which they didn't understand, and I haven't done anything but show up, run the computer program (they have fancy touch screen TVs in every classroom) and leave.
I have, however, decided to start actually trying to execute a lesson plan in classes starting Monday. I will only spend 10-20 minutes of my morning dead time every day to do it, but I will put forth some effort, maybe just because I'm bored with the stupid computer program anyway. And I will certainly not contribute financially to this place. They have plenty of money if they want these kids to get educated.
It's worth noting, I think, that planning ahead for classes just wasn't a thing last year and isn't for a lot of people who come to China to teach. To be fair, it really shouldn't be. The value of a foreign teacher in China is your ability to speak English as a native speaker. You aren't hired here as certified teacher, and you're not here because you're willing to do hard work. If either of those things are true, they come at a premium. They should never expect you to speak Chinese, in the classroom or out. That also comes at a premium.
If you'll recall, I had a friend last year, Neir, who was all of those things. He was able to demand a high salary even here in Chenzhou because of that. And he spent his weekends in Guangzhou teaching lessons at a much higher hourly rate. This year he moved to Guangzhou and is probably making at least ¥25-30k a month, compared to my ¥10k (I was only making ¥6400 last year). All those extras that the school has no compunction about asking you to do can get you more money elsewhere, so you should never give them away for free. Both for your own sake and that of your fellow teachers.
If you were able to see past the labor rhetoric, you'll notices that I switched to the editorial 'you' for the last few paragraphs. That's because I'm talking to those people whom I've been trying to get over to China to teach. It's an easy gig, a great experience, and gives you a whole different perspective on life. Anyone who doesn't have, or would like a new job should come give it a try. It might be an unforgettable year or a new life for you. It's a wonderful experience for anyone, but I'm talking to someone in particular. You know who you are. 😉
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