I must take a break from the vacation stories (there are many more) to give an update of this last week, the first week of the new semester.
But first, I must fill you in on some details of the end of last semester. The best way to describe last semester is bearable. I had three classes of art majors that didn't have very good English or motivation to change that. I didn't know what I was missing, so I made the most of it and I think the students got something out of it. But near the end of the semester, I felt underutilized and wanted to make sure the next semester wasn't the same. So I filled out a proposal for a writing class, specifying that it would be for upper level English majors and would be small, no more than 25 students. I thought that if I had at least this class, I could handle any other classes they passed my way. This proposal was all in Chinese (I had help), and after I turned it in, I never heard another word about it. Then we went on break, and when I left I found out I had all writing classes for the next semester, all of which were freshman English majors, who Luke and other Americans had taught and said were a dream.
So, I figured that the proposal had sunk. I had my writing classes, I was happy, they were happy, the students were happy. I went on vacation and thought about it a few times late at night, but not too much. I mean, a proposal is a proposal, not a contract, right?
We came back. I taught a few classes that were amazing. Excited students that impressed me and I felt very motivated to give them a great class. I EVEN found out that I could move a Friday class and have a 4 day weekend. I had 12 credit hours of classes (what I had the last semester) and I was on cloud nine. On Wednesday I ate lunch with Dr. Zou and told this same thing to her multiple times; I was SO happy. Last semester had been forgiven and forgotten. Then I got a call from Luke that afternoon
"We both have our proposed classes that start next week. We don't know when, we don't know how many students, we don't know how many times it meets."
In ten minutes I dropped like that amusement park ride that drops you from high up, you screaming all the way down. I haven't screamed yet, but I feel like it.
The details are too many to list, but between this afternoon and that Wednesday afternoon, I have learned that I have 4 more credit hours of writing classes, two separate sections of the same class, Monday and Friday. This means no 4 day weekend, only a 2 day weekend (the painful last semester had at least a 3 day weekend). These classes are elective classes with open registration. 54 students signed up for one section, 46 for another. 54 and 46 students in a writing class. AND there was no prerequisite, meaning that most of the students in this class that I have to teach will have minimal English skills. Some are probably even my students from last semester, who could barely write a sentence for their homework describing themselves. This recent addition puts me to 250 students of writing classes that total 16 credit hours, when my contract states the maximum is 14.
OK, I know that this is not news to those of you who have worked with Chinese schools before. Its a product of the over-complex bureaucracy that runs these schools. The class was approved with my stipulations (or so I am told), but the person who set up the website for online registration didn't get the memo and left it open for anyone and a very large class. Now they can't cancel the class because it is too much of a hassle to inconvenience the students. Now the period of adding class is over, but next week they can still drop, but the administration doesn't want students dropping the "famous" American classes. And the head of the department told me to just 1) tell the students not to write so much for class so I don't have to grade as much 2) not grade everyone's papers and 3) pick students to write on the board and correct their mistakes in front of the class. Not having me teach this impossible class has never been considered in the many discussions I have had over the last few days. It seems like no one can be inconvenienced but me, who will be the most inconvenienced of all. And in regard to the department head's words, I still want to be a good teacher. This is writing class. How do you get better if you don't get comments on your papers? I get it from my dad: no matter how bad it is, I still want to do my best.
Through this whole 48 hour ordeal, I have come to realize that I have never felt so undervalued or taken for granted in my working life. I am completely befuddled at the disregard for my sanity and mental and physical health. I spent a great deal of my free time with students outside of class last semester because I really enjoy it and I was also under the impression that that was why I was here- to be a social American figure who anyone can approach. This semester Luke and I planned on making a frisbee team, taking students skiing, rock climbing, maybe ice skating, as well as all the other things we do around campus that don't show up on paperwork. When I told Dr. Zou today that if I have to teach all of these extra classes and students I couldn't do these things, she seemed unfazed. That was what really hurt, feeling like that all this extra effort didn't matter in the end. I was so upset I had to hastily leave before the growing tears escaped. That's a rare one for me.
So, I don't know what to do. Poor Luke, who is in a similar boat, has two classes of 90 students for his public speaking class (most probably can't speak a sentence in front of the class). All of the Americans, save one, are in a similar boat, feeling completely abused. How do you teach a class of evolutionary biology to students who can't tell you their name in English? To help us with this, I have two bottles of Pengshan's finest $6 USD bottle of Brandy. We will go sing it out at KTV.
This all comes at a time when I have been pondering returning for another year. In one day, the school turned me against them pretty fast. Who wants to work for an organization that treats you like this? This sets a new precedent for any job I have in the future as the worst. Indeed, I have been reflecting on things I complained about in the past and none look so bad compared to this. Anyway, all you back home, rejoice- I started looking for jobs back in the states today.
Thanks for reading. Sorry to bore you with some whining, but I hope you find the sheer audacity somewhat amusing. If you have snow where you are, please eat a little for me and if not, say hi to mr. sun for me. I miss that guy.
Love,
Cam
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