A Manic Month

Well itś been a manic month at the PMP centre here in Qingdao with a new job as Academic Manager, new set of teaching staff and 62 students in four classes of 16. There has also been an academic audit from the NCUK and glad to say that we have a clean bill of health and everyone is pleased with the running of the centre.
A major problem for the students has been the adjustment to the styles and methods used on the PMP. I think the students have found it difficult to adapt from passive acceptance to active involvement on the course and although you should always recognise that the students have their own techniques for learning, some are woefully unprepared for what they will face in the uk. So we have to insist that post-it notes are maybe not the best way to take notes during a lecture and that coursework folders with the dividers to separate the 7 modules must be used. Along with A4 paper, margins and all class and lecture notes clearly signed and dated and .. and....and the list goes on. The students are either 3 year Diploma or 4 year graduates and their study/ organisational skills are poor..not all...but most. So folder checks each week and self study timetables,class Rep elections and meetings, course outlines for the next 10 weeks and on top of that a FULL teaching load with 6 preps to negotiate with the other teachers and on top of that they want me to be course coordinator for all the Kapan PMP centres in China.....but havent decided yet.
But all the work is beginning to show fruit with the first assignments ¨Investigation into the Different Styles and Roles at Campbellś Soup and Quaker Oats¨ with almost no plagiarism and good referencing, clear structures and a good grasp of the theories of management. Of course the grammar and vocabulary need work but very good signs of peer correction and collaboration and tons of enthusiasm......which of course is what makes it all worthwhile for any teacher...we have a good team too both academic and admin staff, all very experienced and dedicated. One drawback is the lack of resources, funds available they say......... but where and when will they used?
My MA TESOL course has had to take a little bit of a back seat but I hope to get right back into the swing of things ASAP.
Qingdao is lovely at the moment, high blue skies, crisp mornings and around 18-20C during the day.Trees are turning brown and leaves are falling.....lovely just lovely.