What should you expect when coming to Datong to teach?
Click here to see education requirements for teaching at Datong University.
If you have ever taught in another school, regardless if it was a primary school, college, or somewhere in between, you will find the experience of teaching in China to be quite different. Following is a list of things that most teachers find to be quite different than what they have experienced back home.
Click here to see education requirements for teaching at Datong University.
If you have ever taught in another school, regardless if it was a primary school, college, or somewhere in between, you will find the experience of teaching in China to be quite different. Following is a list of things that most teachers find to be quite different than what they have experienced back home.
1. Chinese students will cheat if given half the chance.
One reason for this is they don't see it as cheating; in their eyes, giving the test answers to a friend or classmate is helping them to get a good grade. If you are helping, then you are not cheating. Teachers here have found several ways to combat cheating. When you arrive here, you can get ideas from them. Over time you will develop your own techniques. Oh, the joys of teaching.
2. Class sizes may be larger than what you are accustomed to having.
It took us a while, but we were finally able to convince that university that smaller classes are better than larger. In the past, most classes averaged around 50 students, but could go as high as 200 or more. The last couple years has been much better with some classes having only 18-20 students. On occasion the school may not hire enough teachers, and then you will find yourself teaching 35-40 students in each class. Each year is getting better. Hopefully in the near future, 18-20 students will be the norm, not the exception.
3. Not every room is equipped with multimedia.
The school has a future goal of installing multimedia in every room. No plans set yet as to when that will be accomplished. Until that time, if you are assigned to a room without a computer and/or projector, you will have to use your own computer. The university will supply you with a projector for use in class.
4. Chinese students are very shy.
The advantage of this is that they are well behaved. If you've ever read any of the stories of the strange things that American college students do in their classrooms (i.e. strip down to their underwear to give a presentation), you will be happy to know that Chinese students are much more in tune to acting like adults, than small children. The disadvantage is that it is difficult to get them to talk, which causes somewhat of a problem since you will most likely be teaching a spoken English class.
One reason for this is they don't see it as cheating; in their eyes, giving the test answers to a friend or classmate is helping them to get a good grade. If you are helping, then you are not cheating. Teachers here have found several ways to combat cheating. When you arrive here, you can get ideas from them. Over time you will develop your own techniques. Oh, the joys of teaching.
2. Class sizes may be larger than what you are accustomed to having.
It took us a while, but we were finally able to convince that university that smaller classes are better than larger. In the past, most classes averaged around 50 students, but could go as high as 200 or more. The last couple years has been much better with some classes having only 18-20 students. On occasion the school may not hire enough teachers, and then you will find yourself teaching 35-40 students in each class. Each year is getting better. Hopefully in the near future, 18-20 students will be the norm, not the exception.
3. Not every room is equipped with multimedia.
The school has a future goal of installing multimedia in every room. No plans set yet as to when that will be accomplished. Until that time, if you are assigned to a room without a computer and/or projector, you will have to use your own computer. The university will supply you with a projector for use in class.
4. Chinese students are very shy.
The advantage of this is that they are well behaved. If you've ever read any of the stories of the strange things that American college students do in their classrooms (i.e. strip down to their underwear to give a presentation), you will be happy to know that Chinese students are much more in tune to acting like adults, than small children. The disadvantage is that it is difficult to get them to talk, which causes somewhat of a problem since you will most likely be teaching a spoken English class.