English Language Teaching

As an English Teacher here in China I have some strong views about what is happening here. It appears that the Americans have been and "indoctrinated" the country with their style of English, which is different to British and Australian English. The slang for example. I can't find it in any books, but I see it everywhere in writing letters to newspapers and students work. Examples such as "I wanna" which seems to be acceptable, and the "and so on." which appears in almost every student's work.

But it is not only that. It is the whole industry. It reeks of corruption and disarray.

I am confused about the Chinese "education system" and wonder if it is a system at all. I find it extra ordinary that "blow ins" as I might call myself and other English teachers that arrive for a semester or two, actually have to write the curriculum and course objectives for a subject at university. With no information. We might have met our students once or twice before we must write this stuff, but it is a nonsense anyway as no one seems to refer to it, or even check that we do it.

Students are forever complaining to us - about various aspects of college. In my own opinion I find it strange that the college/university might be run as a business for profit, and not (that I can see) for the good of education and the students. Classes are oversized, facilities are poor, students live in cramped accomodation, classrooms are filthy with unsuitable furniture for students, and there are limited facilties. And those they have are treated with disdain by students and teachers, although there is a better standard of student coming through now.

To me it seems so chaotic and yet the powers that be are pleased with their efforts. Colleges in other places seem to have similar culture.

I learn that many English teachers have false degrees, and there is a smell of corruption in the system that is almost overpowering. No one checks qualifications, and no one cares. It seems.