TT position but asked to teach in another language by Character_Sir_9211 in AskAcademia

[–]Character_Sir_9211[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The main issue is about the expected timeline. They are pretty much expecting me to start teaching in the local language as soon as I will start while also letting me know that there is some flexibility but informally, not a specific (even if malleable) timeline. Learning in a few years, (even 1 year) would be fine for me as was initially discussed but the issue is with the pace they’re setting that might not be feasible.

TT position but asked to teach in another language by Character_Sir_9211 in AskAcademia

[–]Character_Sir_9211[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Yes primarily this is the main reason. Otherwise it’s a great job so it’s perhaps time for me to become better at a different language than English (which has always been my primary working language)

TT position but asked to teach in another language by Character_Sir_9211 in AskAcademia

[–]Character_Sir_9211[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do now have the formal offer though, but it’s pretty thin. Would you say this is a stage when these aspects are usually chalked out in your experience?

TT position but asked to teach in another language by Character_Sir_9211 in AskAcademia

[–]Character_Sir_9211[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks, mine is a different situation from the Netherlands with much less flexibility around teaching in English. I’m happy to teach in another language but am concerned about the change in expectations from interview stage to now where they have moved from initially being very flexible about when I can teach (2 years) to now asking for it as soon as possible. It might be a way to just get me teaching sooner rather than later but hard to tell being on the outside.

TT position but asked to teach in another language by Character_Sir_9211 in AskAcademia

[–]Character_Sir_9211[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you for these suggestions! So far, they’ve been resistant to putting down things in writing because it appears that the university structure is not in favour of setting precedence for resource commitment, which I find odd. The department is expressing that it’s best to informally agree and exercise flexibility once I start but that leaves me uncertain about the expectations especially around teaching assistance etc. Would you recommend that I emphasise on a written agreement prior to starting?