Seems like the English dept., and Chinese English teachers don't like us…

Lot's of insightful comments and perspectives here.

I may have given a wrong impression that I'm unhappy at my school. In fact I quite like my job, and while my classes are in the old building with the cracked paint and crappy old desks and blackboards, at least those desks are mobile and I don't mind that. However, I am aware that some Chinese English teachers have classes in a new building with all the amenities. I don't care about this except in how it reflects on the way the English department values it's foreign teachers. As I said, after talking to a colleague I'm interested in examining the prospect of foreign teachers not being liked, and what it's implications are. I care heaps more about if the students like me, and don't give much of a damn about what people who aren't in my classes think, but it still forms a sort of "matrix" in which I now exist, and I'd rather know what it's all about.

stil wrote

You guys answer your phone a lot eh?

Actually, hell no. That condemnable instrument is perpetually lighting up with numbers I've never seen before. I just hit the "silence" button. If it's not worth texting me about, it's not worth calling me about = that's my motto.

Hey guys, last minute notification of stuff like being a judge in a speech contest is a bit annoying, but what I was really talking about was last minute notification about classes I have to teach, which requite preparation, and much worse, last minute notification of my schedule, which is so late that it seems like a deliberate tactic.

This comment by Raoul is rather telling:

You should know that in many Chinese schools, especially universities, the Chinese teachers are specifically and repeatedly instructed to not socialize with us and to only interact with us as little as is possible. In such places, being seen as too friendly with the foreign staff can actually damage their own careers. Hey, under such circumstances you'd probably be a bit aloof yourself! The official reason for this policy is ideological- you and your filthy decadent foreign ideas might stain the Socialist purity of their good clean hard-working Chinese teachers. Of course, the REAL reason for all this is simply pure, naked fear...if the Chinese teachers hang out with you, they might acquire some of your inconvenient habits- such as questioning authority or standing up for yourself...and, of course, we certainly can't have THAT.
You might come to notice that the only sanctioned social interaction between Chinese and foreign teachers at many universities happens at formal events like dinner "parties"... where the powers that be can safely keep a sharp eye on everything that happens there...

Yikes and double Yikes. Teachers are instructed to not speak to us!? I HAVE noticed about the "sanctioned social interaction," and this interpretation would explain quite a lot. One can hope that that's a worse case scenario, and that some people in positions of power are more open-minded and generous in their views. Maybe not. A small consolation, if this is the true situation, is that our students need us all the more to provide an alternative perspective that might give them a bit more breathing room to be people and not automatons in lock-step conformity or else. Whatever positive spin one puts on this scenario, however, it's a bit chilling.

Xwarrior wrote:

Delaying the announcement of any schedule or timetable is really an 'Old China' gambit. It is all about power and  maintaining control and is still apparent, at times, from the highest level of government down to the schools we teach in.

Maybe it has something to do with that – a little show of power and an imposition of powerlessness. When it's the last minute schedule one can't just ignore it, or can one? I've been working on various tactics to deal with this. Generally my way of dealing with Chinese bureaucracy is to outsmart them without letting them know that I know anything at all is going on. Next time around, if the schedule comes too late, I may have to apologize for a probably-stress-related stomach ailment that prevents me from teaching for the first 2-3 days. They can determine for themselves the cause of the stress. In the US if I felt anything was unfair I could "lay my cards on the table" and be upfront about the problem. But here it's more of a game of chess in which I can't reveal my strategy, that I know what theirs' is, that I have a strategy at all, or that I even know there's a power struggle going on. All I'm really asking for is to be given a minimal level of respect and professionalism, as opposed to what seems like a deliberate attempt to undermine my ability to teach/perform my job.


Ah, lastly, about the room change. In the instances I've encountered no one came into a class in progress and asked me to leave. Rather, I'd show up and find my class occupied, and once I was told that I needed to switch the class before it started but I refused to do so.

Again, this is my favorite job I've ever had, but I can't ignore some unattractive components of it and am trying to understand them so I better know how to deal with them and minimize any negative impact on myself or my students.

Thanks again for all the insights and informative commentary.

You should know that in many Chinese schools, especially universities, the Chinese teachers are specifically and repeatedly instructed to not socialize with us and to only interact with us as little as is possible.

1. at a university in Guangzhou
I became good friends with a young male teacher in the English Dept. One day he said something on the lines of:
"Did you know we have to report any contact with foreign teachers to our immediate superior? I only tell mine if we meet out in the grounds - I don't tell him about going out drinking beer with you."

2. at most colleges/universities
Female teachers after some time will mention that at a meeting they were all warned to not get involved with the foreign teacher.
I do not think it is motivated by politics - more to do with authorities not wanting to deal with the outfall of 'sex mad' foreign teachers.

3. at a Middle School in Zhanjiang
I had an interest in exploring off the beaten track and a TA, who was a local, took me around the streets 2 or 3 times.
The Principal rang her one night and said that if she was seen in my company again she could forget about a job at the school - or anywhere in China,
It was not a response to any family concerns. Her father was the Head of Mathematics and often invited me to the house for dinner.

4. at my present college
I have very limited contact with Chinese teachers but that is mainly because I am the only teacher living on campus - the Chinese teachers (100's of them) bus in from the city.
The leaders made an inspired decision to house me in one of the girl's dormitories. Maybe their thinking is that living with 800 girls will limit my interactions with the female Chinese teachers.
Maybe they got it right for once.           

   

^^ That all makes me wonder a bit. The Chinese government made the rather wise decision to import foreigners to teach speaking and listening to it's student population, who mostly couldn't speak English, but then local authorities eye us with suspicion and resentment. Who wants to go out with someone anywhere if such an engagement is going to be reported back to leaders who more or less forbid any contact with us.

At two training schools I worked in the Chinese manager or the Fuhrer (local boss) warned the Chinese teachers to not socialize with the foreign teachers.

At one school this was directed at the female teachers because the male foreigners will one day up and leave… and they shouldn't get involved with us.

At the other school, the Fuhrer told them not to be seen with foreign teachers anywhere because we could be "spies" and we are "watched" wherever we go and they would be suspected of being in league with foreign spies if they socialized with us.

There seems to be a fair amount of control and apprehension in these kinds of mandates. Edicts about who can and can't make it in China, and how, seem to be voiced too frequently and with too much conviction by people who haven't really made it themselves, but merely secured a lower level seat in a given hierarchical system. I can see why foreigners would pose a threat to their vaunted position in the hierarchy, because if we had similar beliefs we wouldn't be here away from some seat of power in an institution in our homeland, and we also prove it doesn't really matter in the greater reality and is just a game merely by our existence.

This kind of reminds me of when I was in the States and I worked in a warehouse, then was promoted into the marketing department. One of the other marketing dudes told me not to socialize with the guys in the warehouse anymore because I was now above them. I told him that was ridiculous and I didn't take my job or job title that seriously. Point is we have the same sort of mentality in our countries, but it's not as extreme or ubiquitous.

The extract that follows has been around for a long time - so long that I have lost the link. WORD had a few flaws in those days so there are some weird 'typos.'

While the origins of the document are problematic I think it does reveal the underlying attitude that drives most public institutions in their relationship with a foreign teacher. Paternalism is not something that sits easily with most foreign teachers.

Many places do not follow all, or any, of the precepts but you can bet this is the fall- back position they will take when a Leader tells them to tighten up on the foreign teachers.





"     The Care and Feeding of Foreign Teachers

I came across this Chinese language document on this website. It's a set of regulations and suggestions on the management of foreign teachers, and offers quite some insight into how foreign teachers are viewed by their Chinese colleagues - and also some amusement as it veers between the blindingly obvious and the mildly absurd.

It was suggested that this was an official government document. While translating, I found a reference to one specific recruitment agency, which makes me think it wasn't. I've removed the name, as they may not have anything to do with it and may not wish to be associated with something that is, at times, ridiculous. I can't find any indication who wrote it - it may have been the agency, a provincial Foreign Affairs Office which works with them, or it could be an offical document that's been edited for some reason. If anyone knows, I'd be interested to hear.

The Chinese version is available on a few websites - including this one, if anyone wants to check my translation - which is undeniably hurried and also marred by giggling in some places. Without further ado . . .


Suggestions on the management of Foreign Teachers. Issued 9th July, 2003

Ten Forbiddens

1. It is forbidden to reveal national secrets or intelligence to foreign teachers. It is suggested the school orders a copy of ‘National Safety’ magazine, a magazine published by the National Safety Administration to popularize knowledge about national safety, which can explain which things you cannot reveal to foreign teachers and how to ensure confidentiality.

2. It is forbidden to try to obtain foreign currency or gifts from foreign teachers.

3. It is forbidden to introduce to foreign teachers any news which goes against the national image.

4. It is forbidden to take foreign teachers to any unopen area to travel or take photographs.

5. It is forbidden for foreign teachers to carry out religious teaching.

6. It is forbidden for foreign teachers to engage in dangerous activities (such as swimming in places without safeguards, mountaineering and orienteering.

7. It is forbidden for foreign teachers to teach part-time at unapproved schools.

8. It is forbidden to wander into foreign teachers accommodation to have a look around, and to disturb their rest.

9. It is forbidden for foreign teachers to date students.

10. It is forbidden for foreign teachers to meddle in China’s internal affairs.

Ten Inadvisables

1. It is inadvisable to change the foreign teachers timetable, if it is necessary inform them in advance.

2. It is inadvisable to frequently invite foreign teachers to banquets, they aren’t used to China’s habit of eating and drinking lots at banquets.

3. It is inadvisable to allow students to visit foreign teachers apartments too often to ask questions, you should respect their rest time.

4. It is inadvisable to require foreign teachers to live according to Chinese people’s lifestyle, as long as it doesn’t affect their work, you can let them sleep over.

5. It is inadvisable to pay foreign teachers salary late, pay salaries accurately and on time.

6. It is inadvisable to humour your foreign teacher too much, strictly follow the contract, but pay attention to their difficulties in life and work.

7. It is inadvisable to rely too much on foreign teachers, Chinese people’s English education should still mainly rely on Chinese people, foreigners can only raise interest levels and help pronunciation (oral English). Middle school and university exams must still be taught by Chinese teachers.

8. It is inadvisable to allow students of the opposite sex to visit foreign teachers accommodation alone, it is suggested 2 or 3 go together.

9. It is inadvisable to be over protective of your foreign teachers, so you don’t intrude on their privacy and freedom,

10. It is inadvisable to discuss the school’s internal affairs with them, keep the internal and external separate.

Ten Suggestions

1. It is suggested that the school translates the entire terms schedule into English so the foreign teachers know when holidays and exams are.

2. It is suggested that schools popularize English, from guards to cooks, from the school head to common workers, they should all learn polite English conversation.

3. It is suggested that the schools roadsigns, doorplates and signs be bilingual, to help the foreign teachers get used to school life.

4. It is suggested that you buy a local map, if there is no English map, translate all main roads, hotels, harbours, airports, stations and so on into English, so foreign teachers won’t get lost.

5. It is suggested that the names, phone numbers and addresses of all people concerned with foreign teachers are translated and put in a booklet, so that if the foreign teacher has any problem they can promptly contact them for help. (such as the PSB’s Foreign Affairs Office, Travel Agents, hotels, airports, taxis, hospitals, translation companies, English teachers, Foreign Affairs Officer, other foreign teachers in the town, and so on. )

6. It is suggested that the school establish a weekly teaching feedback form, to understand the foreign teachers teaching progress, teaching quality and promptly pass it on to the COMPANY REMOVED head office, in order to carry out supervison and improvement.

7. It is suggested that the school supplies a foreign affairs assistant for the foreign teacher, so the foreign teacher can get prompt feedback and help in any problems they meet in their first month.

8. It is suggested that you establish files on foreign teachers, including the foreign teachers information, activities, photos and recordings, and invite the media to publicize it, and afterwards it can be kept in the school archives.

9. It is suggested that observations and exchange are set up between Chinese and foreign teachers, and that Chinese teachers help foreign teachers set the scope, pace and difficulty of their teaching.

10. It is suggested that the school starts an English corner, and chooses 6-10 people as model foreign language students to frequently get special tutoring and help from foreign teachers.

Ten Regulations

1. Foreign teachers should not be distributed equally, they should be fixed with several experimental classes to concentrate their power and ensure all students make break-throughs, if they are spread over several thousand students in a school its like a dragonfly empying a lake.

2. Foreign teachers can’t only use Chinese teaching materials, that’s too boring, they should be allowed to add their own material.

3. Foreign teachers can’t just be used for teaching, they can also be used for recruitment and publicity, building an English environment, reforming teaching and research, introducing new teaching methods and the promotion of reform in scientific research.

4. Foreign teachers can’t get used to China’s food and drinking habits, they should be helped to go and buy ingredients and cook for themselves.

5. As far as possible, arrange foreign teachers classes in the morning 3rd and 4th period and 5th and 6th period in the afternoon, they have a habit of going to bed late and getting up early.

6. Foreign teachers are very plain dealing and direct, there’s no need to beat around the bush, square is square, round is round, one is one, two is two. If you go round in circles they’ll lose the plot.

7. Foreign teachers make mountains out of molehills, a blown fuse, blocked toilet, blown bulb, crashed computer, for them, it’s all important, if you can fix it help them solve the problem as soon as possible, at no time delay.

8. You can help foreign teachers, but don’t expect them to return the favour and help you, or else you’ll be very disappointed.

9. For foreign teachers to do well, you need to give them some spiritual encouragement, such as having an entire class of students sign a T-shirt, or giving them a football they like to kick, or even a peasants raincoat woven of straw, or a small piece of students handiwork, these can all be treasured by them, and they’ll work even harder for the school.

10. Foreign teachers like probity, honesty and respect for the law, whatever you do don’t think they are too naïve and cheat them, because they’ll have a way to meet your deception, its better to make problems sound more and bigger, and don’t make light promises, if it’s ok its ok, if its not its not, don’t lie.

Lol that's an awesome read:

Ten Forbiddens

1. It is forbidden to reveal national secrets or intelligence to foreign teachers. It is suggested the school orders a copy of ‘National Safety’ magazine, a magazine published by the National Safety Administration to popularize knowledge about national safety, which can explain which things you cannot reveal to foreign teachers and how to ensure confidentiality.
Well DUH

2. It is forbidden to try to obtain foreign currency or gifts from foreign teachers.
Yes don't try to borrow money from me, I bight!!

3. It is forbidden to introduce to foreign teachers any news which goes against the national image.

4. It is forbidden to take foreign teachers to any unopen area to travel or take photographs.

5. It is forbidden for foreign teachers to carry out religious teaching.
Thank goodness, I hate that shit and leave it in your own country thanks!!

6. It is forbidden for foreign teachers to engage in dangerous activities (such as swimming in places without safeguards, mountaineering and orienteering.
I do it all the time lol

7. It is forbidden for foreign teachers to teach part-time at unapproved schools.
Someone forgot to tell my school about that one lol

8. It is forbidden to wander into foreign teachers accommodation to have a look around, and to disturb their rest.
Indeed I need my beauty sleep so the female teachers and students can stare at me dreamily

9. It is forbidden for foreign teachers to date students.
I think someone forgot to tell a whole bunch of schools this lol

10. It is forbidden for foreign teachers to meddle in China’s internal affairs.
Like I care

Ten Inadvisables

1. It is inadvisable to change the foreign teachers timetable, if it is necessary inform them in advance.
we wish!!

2. It is inadvisable to frequently invite foreign teachers to banquets, they aren’t used to China’s habit of eating and drinking lots at banquets.
Cool, someone should tell MORE schools about this

3. It is inadvisable to allow students to visit foreign teachers apartments too often to ask questions, you should respect their rest time.
Again my beauty sleep is important

4. It is inadvisable to require foreign teachers to live according to Chinese people’s lifestyle, as long as it doesn’t affect their work, you can let them sleep over.
WOOOHHHOOOO sleep overs!!

5. It is inadvisable to pay foreign teachers salary late, pay salaries accurately and on time.
Inadvisable indeed, I think I already stated that I bight!

6. It is inadvisable to humour your foreign teacher too much, strictly follow the contract, but pay attention to their difficulties in life and work.
Someone forgot to tell my school this as well as I get away with murder

7. It is inadvisable to rely too much on foreign teachers, Chinese people’s English education should still mainly rely on Chinese people, foreigners can only raise interest levels and help pronunciation (oral English). Middle school and university exams must still be taught by Chinese teachers.
YES! don't let me mark the students, otherwise I might actually fail some of them!!

8. It is inadvisable to allow students of the opposite sex to visit foreign teachers accommodation alone, it is suggested 2 or 3 go together.
WOW two or three at a time, you are so generous. PARTY TIME  

9. It is inadvisable to be over protective of your foreign teachers, so you don’t intrude on their privacy and freedom,
yes please

10. It is inadvisable to discuss the school’s internal affairs with them, keep the internal and external separate.
like I care
Ten Suggestions

1. It is suggested that the school translates the entire terms schedule into English so the foreign teachers know when holidays and exams are.
Fat chance

2. It is suggested that schools popularize English, from guards to cooks, from the school head to common workers, they should all learn polite English conversation.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....wait hold on I'll get it together soon....maybe not..... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

3. It is suggested that the schools roadsigns, doorplates and signs be bilingual, to help the foreign teachers get used to school life.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.... still can't hold it together

4. It is suggested that you buy a local map, if there is no English map, translate all main roads, hotels, harbours, airports, stations and so on into English, so foreign teachers won’t get lost.
English names for Chinese streets...yeah that wont help me to get lost more at all....

5. It is suggested that the names, phone numbers and addresses of all people concerned with foreign teachers are translated and put in a booklet, so that if the foreign teacher has any problem they can promptly contact them for help. (such as the PSB’s Foreign Affairs Office, Travel Agents, hotels, airports, taxis, hospitals, translation companies, English teachers, Foreign Affairs Officer, other foreign teachers in the town, and so on. )
Yeah let's collect all the other foreigners details in town so I can have a cry when I feel sad, wait I'll be on that list....on second thought HELL NO

6. It is suggested that the school establish a weekly teaching feedback form, to understand the foreign teachers teaching progress, teaching quality and promptly pass it on to the COMPANY REMOVED head office, in order to carry out supervison and improvement.
Sounds like a struggle session

7. It is suggested that the school supplies a foreign affairs assistant for the foreign teacher, so the foreign teacher can get prompt feedback and help in any problems they meet in their first month.
In my school they actually do this to the other teachers, I call them baby sitters and they end up having the first and last say on the teachers classes, parctises and other equally annoying things

8. It is suggested that you establish files on foreign teachers, including the foreign teachers information, activities, photos and recordings, and invite the media to publicize it, and afterwards it can be kept in the school archives.
OMG I'm a STAR, now I'm just waiting for the tabloids to print those embarassing pictures of me and those 3 female students that visted my house, llllllllllembarassing because in the end the only things that ended up opening was a pair of books!!!

9. It is suggested that observations and exchange are set up between Chinese and foreign teachers, and that Chinese teachers help foreign teachers set the scope, pace and difficulty of their teaching.
OMG that could actually be helpful, but on the other hand it could just as easily be controlling

10. It is suggested that the school starts an English corner, and chooses 6-10 people as model foreign language students to frequently get special tutoring and help from foreign teachers.
F#$k off!! we all know what special means!! and it doesn't involve a ride on a green bus

Ten Regulations

1. Foreign teachers should not be distributed equally, they should be fixed with several experimental classes to concentrate their power and ensure all students make break-throughs, if they are spread over several thousand students in a school its like a dragonfly empying a lake.
Indeed I'm waiting for my power to manisfest and turn me into a super sayan!!

2. Foreign teachers can’t only use Chinese teaching materials, that’s too boring, they should be allowed to add their own material.
Like movies, I'm really behind on my viewing and my internet connection is just going to WASTE

3. Foreign teachers can’t just be used for teaching, they can also be used for recruitment and publicity, building an English environment, reforming teaching and research, introducing new teaching methods and the promotion of reform in scientific research.
USED?? I fell so cheap I need a shower now!! (and because I am a dirty bad foreign man of course)

4. Foreign teachers can’t get used to China’s food and drinking habits, they should be helped to go and buy ingredients and cook for themselves.
I'm so sensetive, watch me curl up into a ball and cry, then use it as a promotional photo  

5. As far as possible, arrange foreign teachers classes in the morning 3rd and 4th period and 5th and 6th period in the afternoon, they have a habit of going to bed late and getting up early.
True! but only because I study 6 hours every night lol

6. Foreign teachers are very plain dealing and direct, there’s no need to beat around the bush, square is square, round is round, one is one, two is two. If you go round in circles they’ll lose the plot.
and 1+1 is a window, wohoo I learned to color inside the lines ma!!

7. Foreign teachers make mountains out of molehills, a blown fuse, blocked toilet, blown bulb, crashed computer, for them, it’s all important, if you can fix it help them solve the problem as soon as possible, at no time delay.
I only start to make a mountain out of a molehill when I've asked you to fix it and it's a month later and I still have no running water, electricity and access to certain online indulges..

8. You can help foreign teachers, but don’t expect them to return the favour and help you, or else you’ll be very disappointed.
Yes I'm a selfish bastard!! ask my wife she regrets it hahaha

9. For foreign teachers to do well, you need to give them some spiritual encouragement, such as having an entire class of students sign a T-shirt, or giving them a football they like to kick, or even a peasants raincoat woven of straw, or a small piece of students handiwork, these can all be treasured by them, and they’ll work even harder for the school.
How about a F$%kin beer or a lolipop as of course I'm a giant man child it seems

10. Foreign teachers like probity, honesty and respect for the law, whatever you do don’t think they are too naïve and cheat them, because they’ll have a way to meet your deception, its better to make problems sound more and bigger, and don’t make light promises, if it’s ok its ok, if its not its not, don’t lie.
LOL you actually NEED to recommend people be....honest?? oh well TIFC

LOL sorry for the weirdness, I'm just a really random bored foreign teacher  

 

Regarding xwarrior's posted "The Care and Feeding of Foreign Teachers"

Gotta say that a lot of that isn't half bad!

For example:

1. It is suggested that the school translates the entire terms schedule into English so the foreign teachers know when holidays and exams are.

 

I've practically begged for this every term, and in the end I wasn't notified at all of the last weekend's teaching requirement. A student happened to mention it to me just because I happened to say something about only having 2 hours a week of Oral English.

2. It is inadvisable to frequently invite foreign teachers to banquets, they aren't used to China's habit of eating and drinking lots at banquets.

 

They've radically scaled those banquets back, but I wouldn't really mind if I never had to go to another one. I sorta' like them, but definitely don't want too many (usually with last moment notification), and would rather too little. I think the leaders decided we were unworthy of banquets if we couldn't be persuaded to do reciprocating favors that would give them face or make them money while merely sucking up our free time.

It is inadvisable to require foreign teachers to live according to Chinese people's lifestyle, as long as it doesn't affect their work, you can let them sleep over.

 

I assume this means you can have someone stay over a your home, such as a girlfriend. Good enough.

It is suggested that you buy a local map, if there is no English map, translate all main roads, hotels, harbours, airports, stations and so on into English, so foreign teachers won’t get lost.

 

That's be nice.

It is suggested that schools popularize English, from guards to cooks, from the school head to common workers, they should all learn polite English conversation.

How sweet!

Foreign teachers make mountains out of molehills, a blown fuse, blocked toilet, blown bulb, crashed computer, for them, it's all important, if you can fix it help them solve the problem as soon as possible, at no time delay.

 

Fix our problems right away and don't make us wait a week to have our toilet fixed. OK. I'm not going to fight them on that one.

the only thing I really don't like is the English Corners (monkey shows).

The only stuff that I'm uncomfortable with is the stuff about using teachers for promotion, making files on us (I'm pretty damned sure my uni does this clandestinely), and the monitoring and supervision stuff. Of course, if all that was done very reasonably and no more than necessary it wouldn't pose much of a problem.

At least there's nothing in there about intercepting teacher's emails (some of mine have gone missing, but don't know who is responsible); forbidding social interaction with them; requiring a report of any activity with a foreigner; spying on them to insure they aren't spies (er, 2 wrongs don't make a right but 1 does?); giving them the crappiest rooms to let them know their place in the hierarchy; postponing their schedules until the last minute to show them who's boss and who's dross [note: as far as I know I just made up "who's boss and who's dross"]; putting all their classes next to leaders offices so they can easily be monitored; trying to bully them into doing special favors (ai ya, not THAT kind!)…

Well, universities aren't that bad, but when it comes to private business and a local Fuhrer, anything goes that will make a jiao now.

I actually think it has some pretty reasonable suggestions. The translation sounds a lot harsher than the original.

BTW, the original Chinese version of this came from the Buckland Group, FWIW.

Original attached: