[General] I don't like to work in the cameras.

[Silverobama]

Hi.

A woman I know is working in a language school. She thinks that my spoken English is okay and I'm experienced to teach the students in her school, she asked me if I wanted to work part-time there. I know in most of the language schools here, there are cameras in every classroom. I think this makes sense to them but not me; I feel like being watched. I then refused her and gave her my reason "I don't like to work in the cameras".

I wonder if the sentence is natural.

 

[NamelessKing]

Not a teacher.

"I don't like working with cameras."

"Work in the cameras" implies that you’re working inside of a camera. LOL

 

[Silverobama]

Not a teacher.

"I don't like working with cameras."

"Work in the cameras" implies that you’re working inside of a camera. LOL

"Working with cameras" sounds like "cameras are my friends and I need to cooperate with them in my work". Thank you very much. Let's wait for some native speakers.

 

[jutfrank]

There are many ways to express the basic sentiment. All of the following suggestions have different focuses but express roughly the same idea.

I don't like being watched.
I don't like being recorded.
I don't like being watched by cameras.
I don't like there being cameras in the room.
I don't like teaching with cameras in the room.

 

[jutfrank]

"I don't like working with cameras."

No, that's not right.

 

[NamelessKing]

No, that's not right.

Thanks. Would "I don't like working surrounded by cameras" be OK?

 

[Tarheel]

Thanks. Would "I don't like working surrounded by cameras" be OK?

No. He doesn't like being recorded. And "surrounded by cameras" doesn't quite fit. After all, there's probably only one.

 

[jutfrank]

Would "I don't like working surrounded by cameras" be OK?

Well, just about, but only if you were sure you wanted to use the word surrounded, with the effect that that word would bring to your expression. It doesn't really express the same idea that Silverobama is trying to express.

If you definitely did want to use surrounded, I'd suggest a rephrase, though, to I don't like being surrounded by cameras while working.

 

[Tarheel]

Hi.

A woman I know is working in a language school. She thinks that my spoken English is okay and I'm experienced enough to teach the students at her school. She asked me if I wanted to work part-time there. I know that in most of the language schools here, there are cameras in every classroom. I think this makes sense to them but not me; I would feel like I was being watched. I then refused her and gave her my reason "I don't like to work in the cameras".

I wonder if the sentence is natural.

Can you get Messenger there?

 

[emsr2d2]

For me, the only suggestions that are natural are those suggested in post 4. I would say "I don't want to be filmed" or "I don't like the fact that you have cameras in your classrooms".

 

[tedmc]

How about: I don't like to work under surveillance?

 

[Tarheel]

Or:

I don't like being watched.

 

[Tdol]

How about in front of a camera?

 

[J&K Tutoring]

I wouldn't feel comfortable working on-camera.

The camera(s) would make me nervous.

 

[probus]

How about in front of a camera?

That is so common it's almost a stock phrase. When you are being recorded you are in front of the (or a) camera. We also use the phrase on camera as J&K said.

So Silver, the natural way to refuse is "I don't like being on camera" or "... in front of a camera."

 

[jutfrank]

How about in front of a camera?

I did spend quite a while considering in front of when writing post #4. Eventually, I decided against it because I thought it didn't fit a situation where the cameras are fixed in position, mounted high on the walls, probably in the corners of the room. I've made an assumption that the purpose of the cameras is not merely to allow the school director to observe the teaching methods but also for general security reasons.

With the phrases in front of a camera and on camera, I imagine that there is an intention to publish the video, in which case the camera would be in a prominent position, probably pointing directly at the subject, which in this case would be the teacher.

Silverobama—could you clarify what the situation is here? Why are there cameras? What's the set up? I think it makes a difference.

 

[Silverobama]

Silverobama—could you clarify what the situation is here? Why are there cameras? What's the set up? I think it makes a difference.

There are cameras in most of the lanugage schools because the supervisors of those schools need to see what happens during classes. I gave demonstration classes in at least three language schools a year ago and found that there were cameras everywhere in the schools. I think they want to know what was going on.

Does this help?

 

[emsr2d2]

If cameras are common in language schools, wouldn't it be a good idea for you to get over your dislike of them? You could be turning down some great teaching opportunities.

 

[Tarheel]

There are cameras in most of the lanugage schools because the supervisors of those schools need to see what happens during classes. I gave demonstration classes in at least three language schools a year ago and found that there were cameras everywhere in the schools. I think they want to know what's going on.

Does this help?

They want to keep an eye on things.

 

[tedmc]

I understand that CCTV cameras have become the norm and culture, being installed everywhere in China especially in public places where they are found at close intervals.