Nine
March 1st, 2007 by MarkNine students came to my new class today. It’s not a big class, but it’s a relief after having already resolved to push on and teach a class of four at a loss. The class went really well, too. I was able to teach halfway into the second lesson all during the first class. All in all things went better than I’d expected.
Every single time I’ve opened a class, somebody has complained. Most frequently, it’s about the seating arrangements, since I assign seats during the first class. Some parents also complain that I’m too strict, that I’m too picky about pronunciation, that I spend so much time on class control activities, or that I’m spending too much time reasoning with students about why various things we’re working on matter.
Today, there was a minor crisis with one mother who interrupted me during class to say she wanted me to give her son a different seat, and she left soon afterwards. She also complained to the desk on the way out, saying that the class was too easy. Fortunately, when she came back and talked to me after class, I was able to smooth everything out with minimal effort. I explained how the students start rotating seats once they all know each other’s names. Then, I explained that the curriculum moves quickly and showed her her son’s entrance test again. It was smoothed over pretty easily, though I suppose it could have been much worse if I hadn’t talked with her right away.
On the good side, my partner said that parents came out during break time and told the secretary they thought I was a great teacher. And it was all of their own initiative. I’m not sure that’s ever happened on the first day of one of my classes before. What a good feeling that is!
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March 2nd, 2007 at 1:56 am
Two things I’ve observed about teaching over here and opening new classes are:
Parents are never completely satisfied despite our best efforts in the classroom. They always manage to find something wrong initially. However, I’ve noticed that they generally have a way of coming around eventually. I’m glad to hear that you were able to smooth things out quickly and put their minds at ease.
Second, I’ve noticed, both in China and Taiwan, that parents don’t usually sign their kids up for classes until the very last minute. New semesters at the schools I’ve taught at have always been an especially anxious time of year for the teaching staff. We never knew our class numbers until class started. I’ve already experienced this a few times this year.
Kudos to you though. I’m glad that everything has worked out for you.
March 3rd, 2007 at 8:07 am
That is good to hear that it worked out.
On my end, I am having the worst make-up day ever. On top of teaching on a Saturday, I am teaching the day that I have the most periods. 8. Things are sucking in Hsinchu, but not for long!
March 4th, 2007 at 1:49 am
I am not sure what would be the best American analogy but I compare some Taiwanese parents to Hockey Moms and Dads in Canada. The type of parent who yells at the coach to play their child more and will threaten legal action if their child doesn’t make the top team. I am not sure which is worse.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Now that I’m on summer break, I’ve had some free time to look back at some of these old entries. I recently wrote a recommendation letter to help that student whose mother was upset about seating get into a more selective middle school. Over the last six months, his mother has recommended several students to our school. What a difference a year makes.