The Catch

I don’t even know where to begin. This will be a rant. This will be something that you wish wasn’t happening, because you’re kind and are hoping I’m having a great experience in China. I am. But not today. Not with some things. Right now those ‘some things’ are actually really big things. And now here is my post to you to explain to you about ‘the catch’ that comes along with something when it seems too good to be true.

First, just some simple things.

I’m tired of being stared at. Yes, I know I look different, stop staring, stop taking pictures, and stop pretending to be talking on your phone when you're really trying to sneak a picture. It’s really obvious and really annoying. It was flattering and funny the first few times, but I'm over it. My wave to you, isn’t always there to make you happy. My wave to you is so you know I can see you, you’re not be stealthy, and now I’m going to point that out for everyone else to see. When we make eye contact, I will keep your stare so you come to know how annoying and awkward it is to be stared at. Yes, your kid is cute and adorable, but please, whatever happened to teaching your kids that starting isn’t polite. Stop forcing your kids on me so you can take a picture. Your kid doesn’t want to and I don't always want to.

Second.

I’m tired of internet not working for me. As I write this I am doing so in a word document and will have to post it later because the wifi won’t connect for me. This little thing would make a difference for me if it worked. Either my computer works and my phone doesn't, or vice versa.

Third.

I’m tired of having different plugs for my things. I have to plug in 3 different wall outlet devices before I can plug in my device that needs charging. It really sucks when I forget any 1 of those 3 necessary plugs. Especially when a ride back home to get it from anywhere is at least an hour.

 

Okay, time for the main part…

So, this all started a week ago (wow, so much has happened in 1 week).

All us Acadia teachers here are teaching a variety of levels. What I’m going to tell you is about the grade 6s. There’s 4 of us (Shelbi, Jill, Jacqueline and I) who teach grade 6. At the beginning of our time here, we taught PGE curriculum. Now, I’m not 100% sure what directions the others are in and I don't want to speak on behalf of them, but I was told to switch my curriculum to teach an Oxford book because my 6’s are at a lower level. Fine, no worries. This change happened in like the first 2 weeks I was here so it was easy to adjust to and also made it easier for my students.

Last Friday evening (April 7^th), we (the Acadia teachers who are teaching grade 6) had a meeting with our company. They told us that we are now expected to teach a new curriculum (and we would be starting this book in the middle of the semester). All students are now expected to be at the same level. It is not guaranteed that students will have the textbooks which means we have to have things photocopied which means we have to have our lessons done way in advance (sucks if things were to change from day to day) which means we have to submit the things we want copied two days in advance. We were told we were going to be starting the new material on Monday (April 10^th). So, drop everything else we were doing or had planned and now plan for the completely new things and materials that we just received. Do this all in 2 days. Not like we have a life, too, or anything.

Since my grade 6’s are so low levelled, I wasn’t going to start this new curriculum until the following Friday, regardless. Yes I am working for a company, but  my students come first. So, I taught my review lessons that I had prepared.

Then, on Tuesday (April 11^th), I was told by my company to continue teaching the old material because my school hasn’t agreed yet to the new curriculum. Good thing I had materials prepared from the old curriculum. The company told me that they would keep me updated on the matter. Great. In China, keeping people posted happens last minute, the day of, with no advance notice, and they expect you to be there and ready. Not possible (if you want it done correctly).

Thursday (April 13^th) comes along and I am told that my company will be meeting with my school to discuss this new change in curriculum. Long story short, people from the company didn’t even say goodbye when they left so I figure they weren’t happy with the decision. At the end of the day Thursday, I was told that my school would continue to teach Oxford. So I continued lesson planning with that material.

On Friday (April 14^th), my school got a late, last minute, surprise visit from my company. My company told me that yes, in fact, my school will now be using the new curriculum starting the following week and I am expected to have lessons made and photo copies ready to use for the students. Even though I told the company that photocopies will not be made in time for class Tuesday since I don’t go back to the school until Tuesday and I need to send the pages to the copier two days in advance. I was also told I have to administer 5 quizzes in the first class to see what level my students are at so I can choose an appropriate spot to start in the new book. Oh yea, by the way, all the quizzes take 30 minutes long to do, but my class length is only 40  minutes long. Hmm, good luck figuring that out! Again, not possible and not happening. Once my company left, I was talking with the local school teachers and they told me that no, in fact, they are not buying the books and do not want the new material because it is half way through the semester and the students need extra help with the materials they are already learning. Apparently, my company has been harassing them and pressuring them to make the change. So, my teachers then told me to come prepared on Tuesday to teach the regular materials. You think this will end, but no it keeps going. Friday evening, I receive a text from my school at 5:10pm reminding me to prepare the Oxford materials only. Then at 6:30pm I get a text from my company saying we will continue to discuss the new curriculum material tomorrow (Saturday, April 15^th). Can someone please give me a final answer and tell me what the heck is going to happen and not change their minds again!!!

So, today is Saturday and I’m about to go into work. I’m writing this blog post now because I have no idea what material I should be preparing for next week and I’m not about to waste my time prepping only to be told something different.

 

One of the reasons why all of this is so frustrating is because we were all told that our job for teaching in China would be to teach conversational English by playing games and singing songs. Administering tests, giving homework everyday, marking work, and being told to yell at the kids was not a part of this. The local teachers and company are surprised we haven't explored as much as they thought we would have. They keep telling us to 'go out and play'. Not possible when you keep adding things on to our to-do list. I realize that this is life, that things are hard, and this is what a career is like. No, that isn't true. It all should be wonderful and fun, and doesn't have to be hard.

 

Acadia students who plan on doing this in the future, just know that whatever you are told will likely not be a reality when you get here (and are stuck here until the end). Don't let this scare you from coming though. I'm happy to have this experience because I am learning so much about how to handle situations, different teaching techniques, and what works and doesn't work for me. I've learned a lot about myself and that I'm done taking shit, and I feel more confident standing up for myself.

UPDATE: After teaching on Saturday, April 15th, my company gave me the printed off quizzes to give to my students and also talked a bit more about how we are to teach the new curriculum. Today, is Monday, April 17th, and I have not heard anything else about this change, so I suppose tomorrow I begin the new curriculum. I feel like I've been pushed out of a moving metro and ran over.

I’m missing my past practicums back home in Canada and I hope all my fellow student teachers are enjoying their practicum. (I miss you all!!).

Also, regardless of what happens now and in the future, I will always put my students first. I will put their interests first and do what will benefit them the most. Until the person telling me to change my curriculum has taught my students and can see firsthand what level they are at, then I will continue to do what’s right by my students before I switch anything because someone tells me to.

This blog post will probably get me in some heat, but I don't care. If I don't talk about this (it’s the underlying issues that are most important here) then who will? How will we as a society make the change to do what’s right by our students? I’ve said I’m going to change the world through education and that is what I plan on doing.

No matter how small I may be, I am mighty.