选了周末的成人教育英语发音课。也就是第二次上课,那老师说了一通什么录音下来会很滑稽之类,然后径直问我,是不是在录音。我当然没有。
这让我很恼火,首先为啥问我?其次,你有权要求不准录音,你有权检查和审讯吗?再者,我总不能自己犯贱让他检查吧?
一个他无权验证,我不能去证明的事情。让我很难堪,随后打电话投诉,结果更是出乎我意料。
有对华人种族歧视嫌疑?谁来判断?
打了投诉电话后,一个女manager就打回来了。本以为,至少有个sorry,但她左一个you should,右一个you should,我说这是成人教育,不是幼儿园,我是客户。
然后,就升级到她的ASSOCIATED DIRECTOR了,更是像训诫小学生。见如下邮件。
我不会再去上课了,本以为至少可以给我保留credit到其他课程。
再者,这老师教的很差。讲几句,发张讲义,让几个人分组,互相矫正。他都不先带着读一遍,这是发音课!
这是DIRECTOR的邮件,一行加号后面是我的邮件:
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Good Afternoon David,
My name is Yassin Boga, I am the Director of the English Language Program.
Thank you for outlining your concerns. I believe that there has been some misunderstanding and miscommunication here. My intention for asking for a meeting was so that we could meet together with Jodi and a Chinese-speaking member of the ELP team so that we could 1) start the conversation fresh, and 2) ensure understanding on all sides.
If we cannot meet in person or over Skype then an email message is probably the best way to avoid any misunderstanding. I understand that you are upset and frustrated, I’ll with do my best to put your concerns into context.
It is normal practice at the university for instructors to ask students to not record lectures without their permission. This is something that we expect all of our instructors to review with our students. It is common for ESL instructors to clarify instructions and confirm understanding, and is their responsibility to follow-up with their students when there is any doubt. Students often want to record lectures in order to review the material. It is common for students to take pictures and videos of all sorts of things in their daily lives so they often don’t understand that this is not acceptable at the university. I don’t understand why you think, you were being treated like a “thief,” the instructor was only clarifying policy and confirming understanding, it was absolutely not his intention to upset you. You instructor, Darren, has worked for many years in our program and has always had very favorable reviews from students. I have only seen him act respectfully and professionally with his students. We reviewed this situation with Darren and he does not recall singling you out in any way and wasn’t aware that you were upset. It sounds like you are upset by what is normal and expected practice at the university. I understand that this was unexpected for you and made you feel bad, but I hope that now you understand the context and we can move past this. I am happy to initiate a conversation between you and Darren can resolve this and you can continue your studies.
In terms of your concerns about your conversation with Jodi, our Teaching and Learning Manager. I should clarify what our programs are for, and what her role is. Our part-time ESL classes are a community service, we are not Walmart, or a for-profit service company, we do not run these classes to profit from customers, but rather to improve the English skills of Adult Learners and serve the campus community. Jodi manages our instructors and oversees our curriculum, she is not a Customer Service Manager. Her job is to support the learning of our students. Learning is enabled by the instructor, but is the responsibility of the student. Her job is to understand our learners and find solutions to barriers that are preventing them from learning. When a student has a concern about a class, the first step is for the student and instructor to have a conversation and see if a solution can be achieved. Jodi’s were appropriate and in the best interest of your learning.
I hope that we can move past this misunderstanding and you can resume your studies in our pronunciation class. Again, I’m happy to initiate a conversation with Darren so that you can be assured that he was not trying to accuse, humiliate, or make you feel bad. There ae no classes this weekend, the next class is on 22nd so there is ample time to sort this out.
If you decide that you do not want to continue, we can withdraw you from the course so that you do not receive a failing grade. As noted by our staff, you are well past the refund date and are not eligible for a refund. I strongly encourage you to return to your class and continue your studies, please let me know if there’s anything we can do to make your return easier.
Sincerely Yours,
Yassin Boga
__________________________________________
Yassin Boga
Associate Director (International)
University of Calgary Continuing Education
Director, English Language Program
E
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From:
Sent: February 11, 2020 10:21 PM
To: Parttime ESL <
eslinfo@ucalgary.ca>
Subject: Re: English Language Program Pronunciation course
Thanks for contacting.
let me list the things that i feel not so satisfied:
1. During the class, i was doubted to record. The teacher approached me asking if I was recording. This action upset me. Let me feel like a thief.
2. The manager called me back. I don't think she did appropriately. She kept saying " you should this , you should that" " the course is good..." " I don't understand you...". I am a customer, adult.
I don't think I can walk back into the classroom to listen his teaching .All this experience make me feel humiliated and decrease my confidence to use English.
I don't think we need a Skype meeting because of work. You can call me.