" a student doesn’t “hire” your school to teach them grammar (English, German, Japanese, and so on… ). They hire a solution to a specific problem: they want to ace a job interview, write a report without shame, or stop fearing board meetings."
In my case, this approach were from the schools! Just bring in the signage, enrollment, etc... Teach whatever, but attract more students. Ugh!! And teaching rich Chinese children, they all felt as though privileged.
You also just outlined what I am *confessing* about which most turn a blind eye, and the worst now is while teaching online, for 15yrs now, the pay is literally peanuts while the treatment is worse from administration and their overly dressed platform.
Later EST morning, Essay 1 is about my realism with how ESL tutors approach different cultures and their assumptions, by Essay 2 is the three Chinese schools I taught in one year... that was a feat in itself.
Btw, thanks for your comment! I also look toward reading through your material as well. Drop by chat sometime, for I would love to share and hear how you handle being a methodologist .. I was assigned with a Polish platform, but they don't pay extra to the tutor, only charge extra to the student... go figure.
Hello back! Thank you for such an honest and raw insight.
15 years in the online trenches gives you a perspective that most 'industry gurus' completely miss. You’ve hit the nail on the head regarding the 'overly dressed' platforms. It’s a systemic issue: they sell a premium experience to the student while offering 'peanuts' to the expert who actually delivers the value. Also, your point about the Chinese market is fascinating—the clash between a student’s sense of privilege and the actual learning process is a tough one to navigate. It’s less about 'teaching' and more about managing high-stakes expectations while trying to keep your professional integrity intact.
I'm really looking forward to your essays! :-) I'll chat one day. I promise.
It is refreshing that someone actually understands ...
Actually, this is my remake from my Travels with Ms Kaye, which I wrote the first book (experimenting with self-publishing, also wanted to record my ESL teaching travels) .. but this time, I'll share the other countries I taught and onto online teaching.
" a student doesn’t “hire” your school to teach them grammar (English, German, Japanese, and so on… ). They hire a solution to a specific problem: they want to ace a job interview, write a report without shame, or stop fearing board meetings."
In my case, this approach were from the schools! Just bring in the signage, enrollment, etc... Teach whatever, but attract more students. Ugh!! And teaching rich Chinese children, they all felt as though privileged.
You also just outlined what I am *confessing* about which most turn a blind eye, and the worst now is while teaching online, for 15yrs now, the pay is literally peanuts while the treatment is worse from administration and their overly dressed platform.
Later EST morning, Essay 1 is about my realism with how ESL tutors approach different cultures and their assumptions, by Essay 2 is the three Chinese schools I taught in one year... that was a feat in itself.
Btw, thanks for your comment! I also look toward reading through your material as well. Drop by chat sometime, for I would love to share and hear how you handle being a methodologist .. I was assigned with a Polish platform, but they don't pay extra to the tutor, only charge extra to the student... go figure.
OH, yes, Hello to a fellow ESL / ELT teacher!
Hello back! Thank you for such an honest and raw insight.
15 years in the online trenches gives you a perspective that most 'industry gurus' completely miss. You’ve hit the nail on the head regarding the 'overly dressed' platforms. It’s a systemic issue: they sell a premium experience to the student while offering 'peanuts' to the expert who actually delivers the value. Also, your point about the Chinese market is fascinating—the clash between a student’s sense of privilege and the actual learning process is a tough one to navigate. It’s less about 'teaching' and more about managing high-stakes expectations while trying to keep your professional integrity intact.
I'm really looking forward to your essays! :-) I'll chat one day. I promise.
It is refreshing that someone actually understands ...
Actually, this is my remake from my Travels with Ms Kaye, which I wrote the first book (experimenting with self-publishing, also wanted to record my ESL teaching travels) .. but this time, I'll share the other countries I taught and onto online teaching.
Thanks again for dropping by!