Introductions: |
 |
TEFLChina Teahouse: Teaching: Introduction:
|
My experience at university in PR China
Teaching in China as a foreigner can be a wonderful cross-cultural experience. Having good materials and language activities for your classes helps.
You probably will not have much pedagogical support in PR China. The education industry here is "developing." English language publishing here is also "developing." It is hard, when not impossible, to find good supplementary material for your course in the bookstores in China. You are likely to be assigned six or eight large classes (25-50 students) with mixed proficiency levels that will meet with you only a few hours a week. Whatever textbook you may be assigned will probably not suit your students high intellectual appetite nor stir their interest. If the text provides positive language learning activities for half of your class time it is a find. You might not be given a usable text book at all. Most departments here are simply tied down by the politics of their jobs and are not supporting their foreign teachers with quality curriculum or advice. Things are developing. For now we are left to our own resources. That is why I started the TEFL China Teahouse in 1997. You will find yourself relying on your own creative initiative to solve the difficult task of leadership in large multilevel classes without a curriculum. Find help here at the Teahouse, discuss ideas on our email lists and when you have an insight or discover a good book let us know.
You'll want to bring plenty of good materials and activities to class. Try to get your department to pay for hand out copies. They should but the bureaucracies often don't produce the money. So don't mind the small stuff. Roll some of your own salary back into materials. No sense fighting bureaucracy.
Enjoy your adventure in China and remember you are not alone -- share your stories, ideas and best materials with colleagues on the TEFL China email lists.
Cheers!
Roger :)
