Code of
Ethics
A Code of Ethics for Foreign Teachers/Students in China
We are role models for Chinese students. We have a powerful influence, not only in shaping the future choices, ideas and behavior of our students, but also in determining the attitudes students and the surrounding community adopt to our homelands—and to Foreigners/Westerners in general. This is an enormous responsibility.
We often exert considerable influence on the life choices of these students in particular, and on the development and prosperity of China in general.
However, we may also potentially influence the future processes of peace and stability in the world through the residual impressions of us as Foreigners/ Westerners/members of a particular nation retained in the minds of China's future leaders, who may presently be our students, colleagues or neighbors.
It is therefore essential that our actions and behaviors, while in China, be as positive as possible. The following Code of Ethics represents the minimum behavioral requirements of a Foreign Teacher in China.
Part One: Professional Conduct
Whatever our personal motivations for coming to China, we are employed here as professional educators. Therefore, our responsibilities to our School and our students are significant.
1. We shall make every effort to:
a. be well prepared for each lesson,
b. design our lessons well,
c. stimulate the interest of our students,
d. use positive and appropriate topics and resources and
e. utilize effective teaching methods.
2. We shall endeavor, to the best of our ability, to achieve the agreed aims and objectives for our Students.
3. Our classroom dress shall be clean, tidy and appropriately modest.
4. We shall arrive on time for class, and will give notice to our department/co-teacher if we cannot attend any scheduled class.
5. We shall not accept invitations to speak or teach at other schools, etc, or accept private students without the express permission of our own school/unit.
6. We shall provide notice to our school/waiban (Foreign Affairs Office) if we intend to travel outside their city.
7. We shall make sincere efforts to establish and maintain positive relationships with our students, colleagues, school and community.
8. We shall take all due care of school property, including accommodation, furnishings and equipment, and shall return all such items to the school clean and in good repair at the end of our contract.
9. We shall ensure all outstanding bills for which we are responsible (e.g. telephone bill) are settled before leaving our school.
10. If we experience difficulties in our relationship with the school, we shall endeavor to settle the issue through recognized channels and utilizing positive conflict resolution strategies (e.g., discussion, consultation, written complaints and mediation).
Personal Conduct:
Our personal conduct is of equal importance as our professional conduct. It is also subject to intense scrutiny during our time in China. The following guidelines help us to avoid unpleasant or punitive incidents while in China
1. We shall abide by Chinese law.
2. We shall show respect, in word and deed, to China and Chinese culture.
3. We shall abide by Chinese law with regard to religious activities by Foreigners in China, and will not engage in missionary activities.
4. We shall be circumspect in discussing political, sensitive or contentious issues in class (see Note 1).
5. We shall not promote activities considered inappropriate by our Chinese hosts (see Note 1).
6. We shall be sensitive to inappropriate audio-visual materials, and shall avoid the use of materials (e.g., music, videotapes, DVDs etc.) with crude language, sexual content, gratuitous violence or psychologically disturbing elements (see Note 2).
7. We shall not use obscenities or crude language in the presence of our students.
8. We shall be responsible in our use of alcohol. For example,
a. We shall not drink alcohol during the teaching day.
b. We shall be temperate in our consumption of alcohol, when in the company of students.
c. We shall not encourage or pressure students (or other Chinese nationals) to drink alcohol.
9. If we are smokers, we shall be responsible and considerate in our smoking habits.
a. We shall refrain from smoking near non-smokers without permission.
b. We shall not smoke in class and will obey the school's regulations with regard to smoking elsewhere on the school grounds.
10. We shall not use, sell or promote the use of recreational/illegal drugs while in China (see Note 3).
11. We shall avoid any romantic or sexual relationships with students, other minors, married adults or prostitutes (see Note 4 & 5).
Notes on the Code:
Our Chinese colleagues often hold very strong preconceived notions about Westerners. They do not necessarily see us as individuals, members of a particular race or nationality, or of a particular religious or social group. They simply regard us as "Foreigners" or "Westerners". Thus our behavior, while in China, has the potential to either rectify misconceptions, or to reinforce negative stereotypes. This is particularly so in the areas of sexual behavior, political philosophy and character traits.
We are especially vulnerable due to:
1. negative expectations of our behavior; and
2. the public-ness of our life in China (because we are so conspicuous, all our actions are likely to be public knowledge - and of great interest to the local community).
Therefore, the following points need careful consideration.
Note 1: Do not focus lessons on the following topics:
1. Abortion
2. Chinese government policies
3. Drug use
4. Homosexuality
5.. One-Child Policy
6.. Promiscuity
7. Promulgation of Religion
8. Tibetan Independence and the Dalai Lama
9. Taiwanese Independence
Note 2: Pornography is illegal in China.
Note 3: Drug use is illegal in China. Penalties for drug offences in China are extremely harsh, and include execution.
Note 4: It is inadvisable to permit students to visit our apartment unaccompanied, in order to avoid opening ourselves to accusations of misconduct.
Note 5: Dating practices in China differ from those in the West. Boy/girlfriend relationships are seldom as casual, and usually imply greater commitment. Our intentions may easily be misconstrued.
