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Post by Nate M on Jul 6, 2005 7:25:19 GMT 7
... for those who come after you. Getting close to the end of my term here and I've decided to try and leave something for the teachers who come here next semester. And no, I'm not talking about taking a poo in their bed before I leave. Rather, I'm talking about leaving a guide behind for the new teachers to help them get through the year.
I don't know about the schools where you are at, but at my school many of the teachers each year are new, and thus there isn't always a big support network for new teachers. Sometimes you get to school, never having taught a lesson, and are thrown into a full schedule inside of two or three days. It can be a big shock. Also, sometimes it can be a chore just figuring out things in and around your campus, or how to get to the nearest metropolitan area, etc. And if you're at a small school, they might not even get more than 1 or 2 foreign teachers on a regular basis, and so what you have is a process of constantly starting over.
So I've decided to write up a short guide to the school, with a guide on how to start classes, how to find restaurants on or around campus, how to get to town, etc. I'm also including lesson plans I've done, as well as an email list of former teachers at the school. I'm planning on giving these to the foreign affairs department and having them make copies to give to the teachers. Each semester, I'm hoping teachers will add their email addresses, lesson plans, and additional tips, so that new teachers don't feel so overwhelmed and stressed out when they first get here.
If you're looking for something to waste your time on this summer, and you have a foreign affairs department that might be reliable enough to help you carry this out, this may be a worthwhile cause to lend your efforts to.
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Post by George61 on Jul 6, 2005 8:41:03 GMT 7
That's a good idea, Nate. Would be very helpful, too, to the new teachers. I could do something similar.
But I'm too m'kaying lazy!!
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Post by Jollyjunklass on Jul 6, 2005 8:53:22 GMT 7
Good idea eh George, I kinda think so too, instead of trying to scare the poo out of us. Hey Nate, you're scaring me even more than I already am. Perhaps, you would like to email me a copy of that nice little treat you're planning to prepare. When will it be complete? I could use the help. Have I ever told you guys crowds scare the crap out of me. HMM, this is going to be one crazy journey.
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gengrant
SuperBarfly!
Hao, Bu Hao?
Posts: 1,818
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Post by gengrant on Jul 6, 2005 8:59:14 GMT 7
hey, what about going to some of the nicer hotels and seeing if you could 'borrow' a directory of info from one of the rooms (not sure if the hotels in your town have these or not) regarding local restaurants and places of interest, etc...? why reinvent the wheel if these directories already have some info you can use...? obviously you'd want to make it more updated and add personal touches (other places too)...
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Post by Mr Nobody on Jul 6, 2005 9:02:10 GMT 7
Sometimes, this whole country seems to be one huge yellow crowd all staring at the funny bignose. Just do a dance and they will all laugh along with you, though. They aren't exactly a hard house to please. And not to many of the acts seem to be hard to follow.
Life wasn't meant to be easy, but it was meant to be enjoyed. (Twain, I think, not Mal Fraser who was only quoting half of it, expecting the people to know the rest of it.)
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Post by acjade on Jul 6, 2005 9:07:29 GMT 7
The new %^&*(+? blasted a departing FT yesterday for not holding his hand and showing him the sights. This from a person who has been in China for five years to a dedicated teacher on route to another country and is half his age and has been in China for 10 months. This ?$?amp;^** is such a drama queen. And infantile which is a real concern. This personality type does not bode well.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Jul 6, 2005 9:13:25 GMT 7
Sorry, I think I missed that, outside of a general impression that you are miffed about some prat. Who is the prat? The new FT?
Is it legal to kick idiots in the nuts here?
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Post by Nate M on Jul 6, 2005 9:21:57 GMT 7
What I'm talking about isn't so much a guide to the city, but a guide to the area immediately around the school. Maybe that's specific to me because I'm not exactly in the middle of the city, but rather about 10 km outside near the airport, but I doubt the 5 star hotels in downtown are going to say too much about the area surrounding my pooty little university.
For the city, Tianjin already has a big guide, which I helped put together, and which I gave them a link to in this other guide. If you check the link at the bottom of my signature, it takes you to the website. Click on the icon that says "Tianjin City Guide" and you'll have a crapload of information on the place there, (Although I'd say it's still far from complete. We're working on it, though).
Millana, I'll send you the text from it in a PM. Most of it probably won't that useful to you, though, as it's somewhat specific to my school.
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Post by Canuck on Jul 6, 2005 9:25:48 GMT 7
Sometimes, this whole country seems to be one huge yellow crowd A happy, peaceful, friendly crowd 99.99999% of the time. Everybody going about the business of doing what they do. Bumping into each other as they do it and smiling. That was a big buzz to me when I first arrived here.. I also had a fear of crowds before I came to the great PRC.
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Post by Jollyjunklass on Jul 6, 2005 9:28:57 GMT 7
I think I kinda missed it too Jade. I am not looking for hand holding if that's what you mean. You see I am the opposite I don't seek attention, not too comfortable with it. But I can do what Bond says, and make an asshole out of my self, quite easily I must say (thanks BTW Bond). If I can just get them riled up I may be fine. No I don't like anyone ass kissing, not my cup of tea. I just have to pull some braveness from inside, somewhere way down deep. Someway, somehow, I will survive.
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Post by Jollyjunklass on Jul 6, 2005 9:30:37 GMT 7
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Post by Jollyjunklass on Jul 6, 2005 9:31:58 GMT 7
So how did you fare Canuck, did you manage. Has the fear subsided a bit.
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Post by acjade on Jul 6, 2005 9:41:09 GMT 7
I think I kinda missed it too Jade. I am not looking for hand holding if that's what you mean. You see I am the opposite I don't seek attention, not too comfortable with it. But I can do what Bond says, and make an asshole out of my self, quite easily I must say (thanks BTW Bond). If I can just get them riled up I may be fine. No I don't like anyone ass kissing, not my cup of tea. I just have to pull some braveness from inside, somewhere way down deep. Someway, somehow, I will survive. Sorry Millana I was in no way inferring you needed your hand held. Particularly in the manner of the %£**& new FT. I think Nate's idea is commendable. We have an informal system here. The oldies welcome the newbies with a barb-b-que and a few beers and then take them into the village and introduce them to our favourite shopkeepers and restaurants. When they get over the shock are ready we take them down into town and show them around. We have a card written in chinese photocopied for them to show to taxi drivers which lists everything from supermarkets to hospitals and tourist offices...
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Post by Jollyjunklass on Jul 6, 2005 9:47:55 GMT 7
Well that's a good idea, so what was this guys problem. He wasn't happy with this? Like he wanted more royal treatment or something?
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Post by acjade on Jul 6, 2005 10:05:54 GMT 7
Well that's a good idea, so what was this guys problem. He wasn't happy with this? Like he wanted more royal treatment or something? He's not someone you'rd want to leave with your kiddies.
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Post by Nate M on Jul 6, 2005 10:16:29 GMT 7
Yeah, I did that a bit this semester, too. The problem is, next semester I don't think there will be any oldbies at my school. Part of the problem with the relationship the school has with all the aircraft companies is that there tends to be a large number of people doing 6 month contracts, and thus a lot of new people rotating in and out.
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Post by Jollyjunklass on Jul 6, 2005 10:29:49 GMT 7
Hmm, I wonder what's better. This school I am thinking on has three experienced teachers, two have been teaching there already. I will be the only newbie. I'm a little afraid this could prove intimidating for me. On the other hand, they can show me the ropes if they are half decent anyway. How do you guys, in general, get along with the other foreigners at your schools? For the most part, are they usually a decent bunch?
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Post by acjade on Jul 6, 2005 10:45:27 GMT 7
I've met some wonderful people here. I love them to bits. I've been acquainted with a couple of sons of female dogs that tightened my resolve to be the best teacher I can. I met a woman from the States that was so racist and hated her students so much the admin dropped her to such a low level of hours she really didn't have to get out of bed. These types are the ones who give FT's a bad name. I'm a total introvert living in a mostly extroverted world and the decent and wonderful people here respect that. But they always ask me to join them in the fun activities. Sadly all the good guys are leaving. Or in fact have already left. The new creature scares me. I will not be taking him on a tour of the village. I will not assist or be a party to any of his activities either in or out of the classroom.
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Post by Jollyjunklass on Jul 6, 2005 10:57:14 GMT 7
He sounds pretty scary Jade, watch him. Hey Nate, that was excellent, I wish I had one of those guides for my place. BTW, what is KTV. That was very considerate of you and I am sure they will appreciate it, I know I would.
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Post by Nate M on Jul 6, 2005 11:01:07 GMT 7
KTV=Karaoke=The only thing resembling a nightlife for most students.
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gengrant
SuperBarfly!
Hao, Bu Hao?
Posts: 1,818
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Post by gengrant on Jul 6, 2005 11:24:50 GMT 7
I shall be there in about one month's time... Yeah, i kinda figured you were thinking of something more 'localized' than just a hotel-type guide...i like AJ's idea of having a card with English/Chinese so newbies can get around with the taxis...maybe just stick to the basics...best shopping center, bookstore, pink light district, PSB...
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Post by con's fly is open on Jul 6, 2005 11:41:00 GMT 7
The guy who preceded me was teaching in a nearby town, so I only got 6 days with him before he vamoosed. Nonetheless, he showed me the good spots in town to eat or swill coffee, the better market streets, gave me some pointers on China living, pingpong and controlling a class; and he gave me a ton of stuff he didn't want to haul home. I only wished I'd had a little more time with him: I could have absorbed more. he's still in my address book, and we write to each other every few months. He was in the South, but he's moving-maybe we can hook up. I paid it forward, and helped my replacement every way I could think of. Do you think the asswipe wrote to me even once, to tell me how the students were? Mandi is a dream to work with. Chris is great to hang out with too... now. At first he was quick to anger, and didn't blend in well at all. There were conflicts and tension. He was only 20. Now he's more laid back than I am, cheerful, happy and at peace. A year of being out of his small town and around kids who worship him changed him dramatically. JADE, how old is this whiner you work with? Maybe he'll come around. don't blame you for keeping your distance in the meantime, though.
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Post by acjade on Jul 6, 2005 12:50:34 GMT 7
AJ: Is this the (alleged) childmolesting drama queen dancing about trying his best to look like george in a qi pao? Is this just one big problematic jerk? Or are you ending up with a few problems? The very same. Talk upstairs to Con. These matters are not for those deemed too immature to jerk off joke upstairs,
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Post by con's fly is open on Jul 6, 2005 18:10:33 GMT 7
Good judgment, Jade.
All, having heard some details by PM, this is indeed a matter not for publication.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Jul 6, 2005 18:34:35 GMT 7
And maybe delete the post quoting me then?
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