Teacher Tardiness

[Niko]

Biggest fear amongst schools

Schools are always fearful of teachers turning up late for classes. This is one of the most damaging things a teachers can do for a school.

So why are schools fearful of teachers turning up late? No big deal right? WRONG.

It's no surprise that students pay top money to learn English. If students pay for a 50 minute lesson, then they expect a full 50 minutes of tuition.

With growing competition amongst English schools, students are demanding more. Students know that if their needs cannot be met, they can easily find another school.

The majority of schools do not have teachers idle in classrooms or just hanging around in corridors at the school. If a teacher is late, then 9 times out of 10, there will be no-one available to cover. Students will be left in the classroom by themselves, or a receptionist will need to sit in and assign work.

Teacher Tardiness places extreme pressures on schools. In fact, it's not uncommon for schools to offer refunds on tuition and even offer a replacement class free of charge. However, by this time the damage has been done, and the reputation of the school suffers.

So, next time you have a class, ensure you are on time for both the sake of your student's and school.

[bustour]

This is a great point and one that might usually be overlooked quite easily.

I remember as a student trying to learn Spanish in Mexico, I was always quite annoyed if the instructor was late. I had paid quite a bit for the privilege of being there and wanted my full time.

I think it's only fair that teachers extend the same courtesy and respect their students' time.

[rwall7943]

I can understand that. If you are paying for something then you expect to get the full service. A late instructor can be very annoying. I could understand if it only happened one time but for it to be a pattern, then that would be uncalled for.

[vare2]

Yea I think that is really a salient point. I would like to add that if you are teaching as a private tutor and you are late for say 10 minutes, then it is only right that you stay back 10 minutes after that to compensate for the lost time.

[gfell]

I would stay back even longer to not only compensate for the lost time but to apologise too for the lost time. Others do have schedules too and it could also be that your students needs to finish on time. So, it's your job to be begin teaching when the class is scheduled to start.

[Tutor]

Valid point. Infact teachers take it for granted that they would not have problems if they would run late for the classes as they are allowed to do so.

Also there is a feeling among teachers that even if they teach for 30 mins in a class of 45 mins then also they have given quality time to the students. They believe that the students should work on their own to grasp the lessons. But the fact remains that they are not being faithful to their work.

[exported_kiwi]

Ok ok, ya got me! I admit, I'm guilty of being late a coupla times during my stint here in China. Once was my fault, the other few times were the result of trying to help someone and not being aware of the time. Upon discovering that I was late, I immediately called the FAO and told them I'd arrange a make up class at a time convenient to the students. I then asked the class monitor to arrange a time when I could give this lesson. They weren't in the slightest bit bothered and were happy that I even attempted to make the time up. I did it, at their request, at lunchtime so it wasn't a major problem.

A little courtesy goes a long way, especially when it's us who are in the wrong!
Another few cents and some common sense if you're in the wrong,

[thaidudu]

Bad bad boy! You shouldn't be late UNLESS trains or traffic prevents you being ontime. The fact that you lost track of time is YOUR fault.

If I'm a student, I would hate my teacher being late. I have never been late not once. Schools really hate it when their teachers are late. Bad for business!

[exported_kiwi]

Well well, never been late....yet! It happens and sometimes it's unavoidable. The one time it happens in my more than 2 years of teaching in China. There was a major problem involving 2 students, one of whom was pregnant.......... and the story could go on for hours. Needless to say, students can't talk to their Chinese teachers about some things, so they came to me and asked for my help. As a teacher and a friend, I helped and in the course of doing so, was late for class. I'd say that this would be a fairly reasonable reason for being late..... don't you?

I choose to put my students before anything else here except my own safety and health.... it's why I'm here, why I remain here and why, in all likeliness, I'll stay for the foreseeable future.

Nuff said!

[thaidudu]

Glad to hear it! Yep, sometimes it is unavoidable. Some teachers though do make it a regular mishap and are forever blaming other events for their tardiness.

I enjoy reading your posts exported kiwi!