So far the teaching job is going well. I leave my flat at 7:30 and arrive at school about 7:40. At 8:00 a song is played for about 5 minutes about love and starting a new day in a soft elevator muzak way that makes me think of "A Clockwork Orange" (I don't know why).
All the students line up in their designated locations based on their home room. The school Priest usually walks them through a morning prayer (usually on Mondays) and the kids give that criss cross amen at the end - they're forced to do this whether they are Catholic or not. Then the principal or another teacher will give them some sort of message. The kids stand at attention (more or less) for about 15-20 minutes. I have two strong English students who translate this for me. Sometimes I wonder if I'd rather them not - sometimes it's nice not to know what is going on so I can get surprised - like when I am sitting in my class wondering when my students will arrive - oh wait they are having an assembly? Oh okay there goes that lesson. Ha - I love the surprises.
8:30 classes begin. 40 minutes for each block. There are three 40 minute blocks before recess. Recess is 20 minutes. Then three more 40 minute blocks before lunch. Then three more 40 minute blocks after lunch. School ends at 3:40. I teach 5 blocks on Monday and Friday, 6 on Tuesday and Thursday and 7 on Wednesday. So I get at least 80 minutes of prep time each day.
Except...there are no substitute teachers here. If a teacher is sick other teachers have to pick up the block. Usually I have to sub a block on Monday. But it is different here. In Canada a sub is expected to cover the day's material. In Hong Kong you basically sit at the desk and let the kids talk or go to sleep. If the teacher is away the kids get a day to do nothing. I talk to them and give them some English conversation.
Fridays are shorter. The blocks are 35 minutes and the day starts at 9:05. I'd rather get off earlier than start the day later but so be it. Usually there is an assembly from 3-3:45.
Each class after a break is cut short. At the end of recess - a song is played the students line up and teachers stand at the microphone and give the student body more info. Then the teacher leads his/her students to the classroom. This also happens after Lunch. A lot of lining up and follow the leader. This happens more at my school because it is a band 3 school and we get more thugs. It's meant for discipline and consistent routine which makes sense. They need continual reminding of what is happening through the day. My 80 minute double blocks are usually 70 minutes by the time they get to class and books open. So be it.
Teachers are all expected to do extra-curricular activities - it is not a choice. You get some choice as to what you want to do but you have to do it. I am teaching choral speaking for a competition in November. Students are expected to show up and memorize a poem. The best students were hand picked for me - 42 students. 11 show up and only 3 pay any attention. Usually these things kids sign up and want to do. Here they're forced to do it. They have to come at Lunch time from 1:25 - 1:45. Usually the ones who come get there at 1:35. So ten minutes of practice! Oh well. the other teachers simply tell me not to panic that this is what all the schools are like. Still teachers will know how I feel. You have your class on stage to present a poem to an audience and you only get 1/4 of the students showing up to practice. At least with Drama - you generally get students who WANT to take drama. What's worse I am told is that many of them won't even show up on the day of the event. Oh well.
Classroom discipline is not really a problem in the violence department but most classes are noisy as kids talk throughout the lessons - they do this to their Chinese teachers as well. You don't send kids to the VP for discipline but a discipline teacher. One teacher is assigned to be the discipline teacher for given age group of students. You let them do the discipline/punishment for you. There is no punishment of course - just like in Canada/US/UK. I give them lines - at least they get some writing practice since they do nothing in the class. I give them the lines at the end of the day.
Still in general they're docile compared to the schools on the north island. No giant infants to deal with on a daily basis. Here I see one class for 80 minutes once per week. So a bad class or two I can handle since I am not seeing them daily. Unfortunately, the great classes I want to do more with and can actually teach some English to, I only see them once a week as well.
Teaching staff is easy to get along with and they've been nice to me.
Some more pictures
At the immigration center - this is presumably an immigration officer to avoid the lines. Skynet is real - just give it time. 
The field near my place. To the left out of view is the high jump and long jump. My school will be here for their sports day on November 11 and 14th. I am running High Jump. I hate it when they give me the one kids can get seriously hurt doing. Why can't I get badminton? Figures.Those massive apartment buildings are right on top of the MTR (subway) station and a 3 story shopping mall. All of this is about 6 minutes from my flat. Between the field and the MTR there is a big swimming pool.
Yes they were protesting here as well. New York was not alone. You can't see it too well but all the people are looking at other protesters in the distance. Lots of camera crews and Police just standing around. This is the difference between Hong Kong and China.
This is a daytime view out my bedroom window. Nina Tower is at far left. The bridge carries cars and the MTR train I can take to central Hong Kong or to the Airport. I am pretty much in the middle. People are out fishing in the water here and they're still alive. It actually looks not too bad. Air pollution is still so-so. There are 7 million people in Hong Kong which will create pollution but it's better than cities in Mainland China or places like Bangkok or Manilla. But not as good as Vancouver or Fukuoka. This photo is on a good day. Today it was considerably more yellowy but you can see the mountains. In Wenzhou most of the time you would not be able to see across the water.
Okay - I'm a guy. A couch and a TV. Give me time. I am going to get a giant plant to put by the window. I need a chair beside the couch so I can swivel the TV strait on. Still waiting for my next payment so I can afford stuff. I finally have my black leather couch. It is so comfy - It beats my bed in Canada.
No comments:
Post a Comment