Voices

Majority teachers don't deserve calibre criticism

By Edward Mills (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-09 08:06

Foreign teachers are glorified "sexpats". At least, that's what you could be led to believe, given the negative coverage given those in the teaching profession, especially those involved in teaching English.

The debate over the "decency" of the English teaching profession rages across the multitude of social networking and discussion-based websites in Beijing that one regularly frequents, usually when a "hard-working" teacher is provoked by someone questioning his profession's integrity.

Teaching often doesn't enjoy a particularly high reputation anywhere in the world. Back in the UK, a familiar phrase where educators are concerned is: "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach." However, the teaching profession in China has its own problems to contend with.

The argument is usually thus: foreigners with a restricted or lesser educational background have come to China to pursue a relatively higher salary and status than they would be able to get in their home country, whilst also upping their game with the ladies.

However, is the idea of those with lackadaisical morals and limited intellect moving abroad to increase their sexual prowess totally misconceived or does it ring true?

Judging by comments on the aforementioned sites, along with vociferous denials from teachers elsewhere, it simply isn't the case for the vast majority.

Most reputable schools/universities will not employ a teacher without a degree in their home country, some teaching qualifications or considerable experience, as well as the need to pass an interview and, for some, even an assessed trial period.

The key word, though, is reputable. There are seemingly a vast number of dodgy recruitment agencies and substandard "schools" looking solely for anyone with a foreign face. Of course, they mislead the more innocent expatriates too with their exaggerated salaries and accommodation.

Granted, with demand for teachers massively outstripping supply, there will always be people teaching without suitable qualifications - but it is arguable that a child doesn't need a teacher with a degree to gain confidence in speaking a foreign language anyway.

It would seem then that, these days at least, the number of teachers possessing limited qualifications and qualities is diminishing.

Few will deny the presence of the so-called "sexpats" (a compound of sex and expatriates for the uninformed) in Beijing - if you believe it's a problem here, try traveling to Thailand. But is the teaching profession simply an extension of that unpalatable phenomenon?

Again, the answer is a resounding "no". Unsurprisingly, teaching English is not seen by most that do it as the ultimate way to meet girls. By the end of the day, most have had enough of trying to get students to learn new things and don't wish to continue this activity outside of the classroom.

Whilst there must be some that do act inappropriately, they are widely condemned for giving the profession a bad name - those who hold a negative view of teaching are mostly a minority and those teaching seem to want to keep it that way.

Ironically, it is often those who speak good English that are most vocal in expressing their disdain for the profession - you have to wonder the calibre of those that taught them.

Perhaps the rumors spread by a small proportion of the population have their roots in some sort of resentment. After all, English teachers are paid comparatively highly, especially when taking into account the number of hours.

Maybe the sight of a foreign man or woman waltzing into China and taking a seemingly cushy job is uncomfortable and unfair to some. After all, it is nearly impossible for a Chinese citizen to do the same in most Western nations.

It does seem fair to say that, whilst there must be a number of uneducated hedonists teaching in China, the number is trivial when compared to those who are a great credit to their profession. There are even those who will take good jobs on their return to their native country!

Teaching English in China doesn't deserve the bad name that some will all too happily give it.