From east to west the differences in teacher student relationships

In China, teachers are quite respected people.

From simple to complex, there are differences from east to west. An example is the relationship between teachers and students. Consider an expat who arrives in China to teach English at a Chinese university. Job requirements and compensation may be around 20-30 hours of class per week, on-campus housing including all utilities, work permit, residence permit, airfare to China, and 6,000-10,000 RMB per month for salary. The money is modest in terms of overall earnings when compared with other expat packages, such as those enjoyed by workers at WOFE’s (Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprises) or large international firms. For example an American Sales Manager was given a budget of 40,000 RMB/month simply for housing in Shanghai! Suffice it to say teaching at a Chinese college usually means limited pay. Universities are known to offer mediocre money but extremely stable working conditions. Private educational institutions can be the opposite, luring expats with higher pay but having inherently less long-term job security. If it isn’t the pay, what draws some expats to teaching in China?

A clue comes from considering the comments of an American teacher who taught in China for a few years before returning home to the states. After getting back in the classroom at home, what was one the biggest differences noticed? The attitude students have for the teacher. Understandably there are always exceptions, however, in many cases expats teaching in China will find students very respectful. This respect is usually expressed in terms of how the student interacts with and talks to the teacher. Of course there are still those students that don’t take class or homework seriously. Yet, the majority of students look up to teachers, especially expat teachers. Whereas abroad, especially in more liberal countries like the U.S., teachers may actually have to fight quite hard to maintain their perceived position of authority.

How Respect is Shown

In China, students may show respect to the teacher in a number of ways. One of which is constantly calling them by the title "teacher". Hardly the custom abroad, expat teachers may get accustomed to, even enjoy the opportunity to be constantly hailed by their title. For some it could even become a bit of an ego trip. In most cases the average teacher in the states would hardly receive this level of routine respect. Some students might add a Mr. or Mrs. before their teacher’s last name, but that’s about it.

Teacher’s are not nearly as praised overseas. In fact, some may feel it is one of the most underappreciated and undercompensated professions out there. A common joke among teachers is their response to the question "What do you like most about your job?" with their answer being: "June, July and August". Really, that sums up the "reward" a teacher gets in the states. Unless someone is a big time professor at a major university, more times than not, teachers are unsung heroes. They must be content with quietly doing a rather monotonous job for pretty average pay with little to no notable recognition. Not too many American students are going to go around kissing up to their teacher or use some honorary title every other sentence.

In China though, teachers are quite respected people. They enjoy a decent position in terms of social rank. Not to mention, with education being such a huge deal in China, parents and students alike may treat a teacher like he’s the Pope. Using honorific titles and flattering speech to praise the teacher in front of others is absolutely standard practice around Tianjin. Thus expats might get a real boost in self-confidence by coming to China to teach. This may make up for the lack luster pay. Instead of playing a marginal role or even being looked down upon, teaching in Tianjin can provide a decent working environment and fairly reasonable work load. Inside of dreading teaching class, some teachers come to really enjoy their time here.

Personal Involvement

Another difference between student teacher relationships from east to west comes in terms of being personally involved. For the sake of clarity, this "personal involvement" is not talking about anything sexual in nature, rather it means, simply having non-classroom contact with students. Abroad, a teacher’s personal involvement with students could be so highly scrutinized that they avoid all non-academic association with students. Conversely, it seems there is far less risk with social interactions with students in China. This relieves expats teaching in China of a lot of stress. Instead of constantly being overly concerned with crossing an alleged line, which could result in drama, teachers in Tianjin appear to have more freedom to associate socially with students.

In America, everyone is worried about being sued for something. That fear doesn’t seem nearly as apparent with teaching staff in Tianjin. Expats that are official teachers at universities may even carry the added honor of being referred to as a "foreign expert". In such a case, not only do students admire the teacher, but so do colleagues. The local Chinese teachers will see the expat as an elite associate. Personal relationships between teachers and students could include staying in touch via phone, WeChat, or even sharing meals together.

China is a very social country. Eating out together, especially in groups, is seen as totally normal. Chinese love to take pictures, and share moments via online messaging services. Thus expat teachers will probably find themselves with far more dinner invites or social events in Tianjin than they ever will back home. Abroad, again because of potential legal ramifications or other allegations, the line between teacher and student should be very clear. This aspect is actually a bit of a dichotomy in China. On the one hand, teachers are held high and revered by students, as if being put up on pedestal. Yet, despite this, when off the clock, after teacher hours, they may find themselves free to mix socially with students, without all the drama or legal concern.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to teaching in China, there are typically two types of jobs. The first is a decent position with mid-low level pay in comparison to other white collar corporate positions. However, the notable reverence students have for teachers may make for an enjoyable work environment. The subsequent boost in moral and self-respect as result of all this may draw more teachers than the money itself. Teachers in China may also find themselves with a more manageable work load leaving them time to socialize. This is good since unlike back home where strict guidelines prohibit teachers from getting too involved personally with students, expat teachers in Tianjin can to a reasonable extent make "friends" with their students. Perhaps they can even go so far as to eat out together, or dare we suggest take a trip together as a group. This being said, teaching in China does carry a few liabilities. Topping this list is the expectation to listen to any and all requests made from faculty leadership. Expats shouldn’t expect to have a ton of room in terms of rejecting arrangements made by senior staff, such as the principal. For expats who can learn to live on a "teacher’s salary" though, they may find the overall teaching environment more enjoyable than back home, especially when it comes to decent work hours, relaxed personal relationships and improved social status.