Teacher Integra
Established Teaching Standards
I’ve taught English in Taiwan for enough years to know and be reminded of how this not a different culture … it’s a different planet. If I’d live and work in a culture more different than this, I’d need professional cultural training. Ok, that’s its for my whining!
Now, I guess I just need some anonymous place to vent and occassionally exchange advice. I do have a Bachelors of Science in … whatever. That doesn’t matter. What does is since the degree is not in Education, it doesn’t matter how hard I work I feel like a ‘hamster on the wheel’. Do any of you fee we can the locals to raise their standards of the quality teaching we’re giving the kids?
Now for some background info: I teach in a average sized Taiwan city, elementary classes at an afternoon language center (like probably 75% of all other Western teachers). My only worthwhile gripe is the riducoulus promise made to the parents about the book and page amount - INSANE! I’m all for understanding competiton in the marketplace, but come on!?
I will tell you that my patience in waiting and looking for a school that supports good quality teaching is wearing thin.
We should start and online group, with me - Peter Baker (no not my real name) as the administrator. We can exchange war stories, suggestions, Q and As. At least we’ll feel better about trying to establish standards in the progressive learning. Like the Chinese proverb says, “Things you can’t control, just move on. But whatever you can control, improve it all you can!”
Does everyone work with a ridiculous schedule like my school? Does everyone have kids learning to spell on a US 2nd grade level but were never taught basic Phonics?
[quote=“Teacher_Progresiv”]Teacher Integra
Established Teaching Standards
I’ve taught English in Taiwan for enough years to know and be reminded of how this not a different culture … it’s a different planet. If I’d live and work in a culture more different than this, I’d need professional cultural training. Ok, that’s its for my whining!
Now, I guess I just need some anonymous place to vent and occassionally exchange advice. I do have a Bachelors of Science in … whatever. That doesn’t matter. What does is since the degree is not in Education, it doesn’t matter how hard I work I feel like a ‘hamster on the wheel’. Do any of you fee we can the locals to raise their standards of the quality teaching we’re giving the kids?
Now for some background info: I teach in a average sized Taiwan city, elementary classes at an afternoon language center (like probably 75% of all other Western teachers). My only worthwhile gripe is the riducoulus promise made to the parents about the book and page amount - INSANE! I’m all for understanding competiton in the marketplace, but come on!?
I will tell you that my patience in waiting and looking for a school that supports good quality teaching is wearing thin.
We should start and online group, with me - Peter Baker (no not my real name) as the administrator. We can exchange war stories, suggestions, Q and As. At least we’ll feel better about trying to establish standards in the progressive learning. Like the Chinese proverb says, “Things you can’t control, just move on. But whatever you can control, improve it all you can!”
Does everyone work with a ridiculous schedule like my school? Does everyone have kids learning to spell on a US 2nd grade level but were never taught basic Phonics?[/quote]
I realize you are “taking the piss,” and I would usually not dare to point out spelling or writing errors because I’m too infamous for my own. I don’t care as much as I should about the written quality of my online drivel and rants. But for your own sake, if you really are teaching at all, I sincerely hope that no standards are raised any time soon.
[quote=“housecat”][quote=“Teacher_Progresiv”]Teacher Integra
Established Teaching Standards
I’ve taught English in Taiwan for enough years to know and be reminded of how this not a different culture … it’s a different planet. If I’d live and work in a culture more different than this, I’d need professional cultural training. Ok, that’s its for my whining!
Now, I guess I just need some anonymous place to vent and occassionally exchange advice. I do have a Bachelors of Science in … whatever. That doesn’t matter. What does is since the degree is not in Education, it doesn’t matter how hard I work I feel like a ‘hamster on the wheel’. Do any of you fee we can the locals to raise their standards of the quality teaching we’re giving the kids?
Now for some background info: I teach in a average sized Taiwan city, elementary classes at an afternoon language center (like probably 75% of all other Western teachers). My only worthwhile gripe is the riducoulus promise made to the parents about the book and page amount - INSANE! I’m all for understanding competiton in the marketplace, but come on!?
I will tell you that my patience in waiting and looking for a school that supports good quality teaching is wearing thin.
We should start and online group, with me - Peter Baker (no not my real name) as the administrator. We can exchange war stories, suggestions, Q and As. At least we’ll feel better about trying to establish standards in the progressive learning. Like the Chinese proverb says, “Things you can’t control, just move on. But whatever you can control, improve it all you can!”
Does everyone work with a ridiculous schedule like my school? Does everyone have kids learning to spell on a US 2nd grade level but were never taught basic Phonics?[/quote]
I realize you are “taking the piss,” and I would usually not dare to point out spelling or writing errors because I’m too infamous for my own. I don’t care as much as I should about the written quality of my online drivel and rants. But for your own sake, if you really are teaching at all, I sincerely hope that no standards are raised any time soon.[/quote]
No no. You’re TOTALLY famous for that! But it’s just Taiwan “famous.”
[quote=“jdsmith”][quote=“housecat”][quote=“Teacher_Progresiv”]Teacher Integra
Established Teaching Standards
I’ve taught English in Taiwan for enough years to know and be reminded of how this not a different culture … it’s a different planet. If I’d live and work in a culture more different than this, I’d need professional cultural training. Ok, that’s its for my whining!
Now, I guess I just need some anonymous place to vent and occassionally exchange advice. I do have a Bachelors of Science in … whatever. That doesn’t matter. What does is since the degree is not in Education, it doesn’t matter how hard I work I feel like a ‘hamster on the wheel’. Do any of you fee we can the locals to raise their standards of the quality teaching we’re giving the kids?
Now for some background info: I teach in a average sized Taiwan city, elementary classes at an afternoon language center (like probably 75% of all other Western teachers). My only worthwhile gripe is the riducoulus promise made to the parents about the book and page amount - INSANE! I’m all for understanding competiton in the marketplace, but come on!?
I will tell you that my patience in waiting and looking for a school that supports good quality teaching is wearing thin.
We should start and online group, with me - Peter Baker (no not my real name) as the administrator. We can exchange war stories, suggestions, Q and As. At least we’ll feel better about trying to establish standards in the progressive learning. Like the Chinese proverb says, “Things you can’t control, just move on. But whatever you can control, improve it all you can!”
Does everyone work with a ridiculous schedule like my school? Does everyone have kids learning to spell on a US 2nd grade level but were never taught basic Phonics?[/quote]
I realize you are “taking the piss,” and I would usually not dare to point out spelling or writing errors because I’m too infamous for my own. I don’t care as much as I should about the written quality of my online drivel and rants. But for your own sake, if you really are teaching at all, I sincerely hope that no standards are raised any time soon.[/quote]
No no. You’re TOTALLY famous for that! But it’s just Taiwan “famous.”[/quote]
Can what? Ask? Persuade? Tell? Instruct? Insist?
Maybe if you tried hard enough you could, but where would that leave YOU, with no formal teaching qualifications? Damned if you do, damned if you don’t, eh?
Maybe they could get the parents to stand at the back of the room and taser the teacher who they consider to be slipping up?
It’s good to know that there are teachers out there who do care and are interested in achieving actual, measurable results. Good for you Teacher Progressiv.
I have the same problem and have finally surrendered. Most buxiban owners simply don’t give a flying fig. I’d all enthusiastically announce how one student has been improving in an area he had difficulty in previously, after trying out a new teaching method or whatever, and she’d barely flinch, because she hasn’t heard from the student’s parents in a while.
No news from the parents is good news. Bad news is immediately reported to the teachers and they’re blamed almost without exception. Good feedback from parents aren’t passed on to teachers, generally.
