Andrew Aigner-MuehlerChapter 5..On arrival in Chengde..
December 14th 2008 05:52
My first impressions of Chengde, were driving into the city. On the left hand side of the vehicle was the river with building all lit up on the other side. It looked nice. I thought I was in Las Vegas. Shortly after, we pulled up at the Foreign Language School of Chengde Hebei. It hit me. I am a English teacher.
Miss Jiang who picked us up from the office in Beijing introduced us to the other Head of English Miss Feng. They proceeded to show us the two apartments on the school grounds. The other English teacher took the smaller apartment by the gate, so I was left with the bigger apartment at the top.
We had 5 to 10 minutes just to dump our bags in our apartment before going out to dinner with our supervisers or bosses at the school. We went out to dinner at a local restaurant. It was a time for them to get to know us, and for us to get to know them. A ice breaker. It was a relaxing moment.
At this moment, they did not tell us much about our position or job. They organised for us to hve a meeting four days later on the Monday evening in the office at the school.
We had the next four days to explore the city. Also to settle in. Feel at home. Get to know where things are.
Because we were knew in the town. I remember those early days, just walking down the street, we felt like rock stars. Everybody looked at us. We were abliged to say "hello" or "nihao". They either replied with the same or they walked behind us gigling. It felt to me like, they were saying "a white man spoke to me hehehe". I still get it today.
Anyway, on the Monday evenng at 1700pm we had the meeting in the office. We were nervous. We thought they were going to stamp the rules down. It was so relaxing, basically no rules. They just gave us our schedule. They told us also there is no manual for conversational English at the moment, so we have to prepare the classes. We were told that for grade one focus on day to day activities, what you do on a day to day basis, and then with grade two, just focus on topics. Also, with both of the grades [play games, make it feel relaxing. They also said it is important on the first day to say class rules, if we dont, it will make it hard for us later on.
Each Friday, we had to send a email to the head of English saying our plans for the following week ie lesson plans for each grade. What we intend to do.
We were also told about, we had to spend a hour a day in the English office talking to the other English teachers or preparing lessons.
After the meeting, we then, just had one full day before starting our first lesson on the Wednesday.
Also, at that meeting we were also told about what dates the grades had exams in the first semester, as well as being told that we had 40 days of mid January for the Spring festival.
The rules that we were given were as follows:
1) While working at Hebei Chengde Foreign Language School, foreign teachers are part of the school staff. Your teaching work is arranged and supervised by the teaching department.
2)Lesson contentand teaching teaching process had better be discussed with the teaching department.
3)You must have teaching objects and lessons plans for each class.
4)Give oral English class to senior high students, having 18 by 45 minute classes a week. Middle and final exams should be organized to evaluate the students each semester.
5) Come to class on time. And classes must be ended on time.
6)If you can't have classes because of illnesses, you must ask for a sick leave from foreign affairs office, then adjust clsses with permission.
7)It is not allowed to wear singlets, short pants and slippers in class.
8)It is not allowed to say any rude words or have any rude behaviours in class.
9)Take an active part in activities for teaching and other activities in school if you are asked.
10)Co-operate with the liaison teacgers who will give you help and advice on teaching.
11)Prepare four lectures for the English teachers each semester.
12)If your classes are adjusted for some special reason, please understand.
13)Take care of the things and equipment the school supplies. If they do not work, tell us to repair them. If they are damaged factictiously, they must be paid for.
14)Foreignteachers are required to obey the school working rules like the other teachers of the school. Your work will be evaluated from such aspects as work ethics, teaching methods, teaching contents, lesson preparation and teaching effects.
This is my school. Foreign Language School of Chengde Hebei
Miss Jiang who picked us up from the office in Beijing introduced us to the other Head of English Miss Feng. They proceeded to show us the two apartments on the school grounds. The other English teacher took the smaller apartment by the gate, so I was left with the bigger apartment at the top.
My apartment
We had 5 to 10 minutes just to dump our bags in our apartment before going out to dinner with our supervisers or bosses at the school. We went out to dinner at a local restaurant. It was a time for them to get to know us, and for us to get to know them. A ice breaker. It was a relaxing moment.
The lounge of my apartment
At this moment, they did not tell us much about our position or job. They organised for us to hve a meeting four days later on the Monday evening in the office at the school.
We had the next four days to explore the city. Also to settle in. Feel at home. Get to know where things are.
Because we were knew in the town. I remember those early days, just walking down the street, we felt like rock stars. Everybody looked at us. We were abliged to say "hello" or "nihao". They either replied with the same or they walked behind us gigling. It felt to me like, they were saying "a white man spoke to me hehehe". I still get it today.
Anyway, on the Monday evenng at 1700pm we had the meeting in the office. We were nervous. We thought they were going to stamp the rules down. It was so relaxing, basically no rules. They just gave us our schedule. They told us also there is no manual for conversational English at the moment, so we have to prepare the classes. We were told that for grade one focus on day to day activities, what you do on a day to day basis, and then with grade two, just focus on topics. Also, with both of the grades [play games, make it feel relaxing. They also said it is important on the first day to say class rules, if we dont, it will make it hard for us later on.
Each Friday, we had to send a email to the head of English saying our plans for the following week ie lesson plans for each grade. What we intend to do.
We were also told about, we had to spend a hour a day in the English office talking to the other English teachers or preparing lessons.
After the meeting, we then, just had one full day before starting our first lesson on the Wednesday.
Also, at that meeting we were also told about what dates the grades had exams in the first semester, as well as being told that we had 40 days of mid January for the Spring festival.
The rules that we were given were as follows:
1) While working at Hebei Chengde Foreign Language School, foreign teachers are part of the school staff. Your teaching work is arranged and supervised by the teaching department.
2)Lesson contentand teaching teaching process had better be discussed with the teaching department.
3)You must have teaching objects and lessons plans for each class.
4)Give oral English class to senior high students, having 18 by 45 minute classes a week. Middle and final exams should be organized to evaluate the students each semester.
5) Come to class on time. And classes must be ended on time.
6)If you can't have classes because of illnesses, you must ask for a sick leave from foreign affairs office, then adjust clsses with permission.
7)It is not allowed to wear singlets, short pants and slippers in class.
8)It is not allowed to say any rude words or have any rude behaviours in class.
9)Take an active part in activities for teaching and other activities in school if you are asked.
10)Co-operate with the liaison teacgers who will give you help and advice on teaching.
11)Prepare four lectures for the English teachers each semester.
12)If your classes are adjusted for some special reason, please understand.
13)Take care of the things and equipment the school supplies. If they do not work, tell us to repair them. If they are damaged factictiously, they must be paid for.
14)Foreignteachers are required to obey the school working rules like the other teachers of the school. Your work will be evaluated from such aspects as work ethics, teaching methods, teaching contents, lesson preparation and teaching effects.
City of Chengde, Hebei, China
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