Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ChuckECheese]

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

I've also lost it too. I need a vacation.........

[dee]

[The Bobster]

This isn't going to go over too well, I know, but as a teacher your first job is to keep the student in the classroom in front of you. You can be the greatest teacher that ever lived, in total control of the material and in perfect knowledge how to get it across. Don't mean richard if the student isn't there ...

Your second job is to get his or her attention so he or she can benefit from what you put on their plate. This is actually the fun part, though it's sometimes also the hardest part ...

Your third job is to get to know them, at least a little bit, as individual human beings and see what they need and how you can get it to them. This part is almost completely fun ...

Gonna get all corny on your ass and suggest that maybe you forgot to love. Oh, yeah, I just remembered, that comes before Numbers 1, 2, and 3 ...

Not judging, not condemning, been in the same place, and I often forget to love, but that's what I learned from the mistakes I've made.

If you're wondering if you are in the right job, just ask : Do I get paid once a month, or do I also get paid when I see my students learn something that was hard but now is easy? If the answer that comes is the first choice, think about getting a job in an office and waiting for the phone to ring. You might even get a bigger paycheck, sitting in that office, especially if you are not getting paid the second way ...

I used to have that office, needless to say, and some would say I was better off there, all the financial and other benefits to be found, but I myself know better, and yeah, I know this all comes off as very corny ...

Again, no criticism intended. The OP seems to be asking if this is the right kind of work to do. I'm just trying to pass on stuff that came by me the hard way, and hoping it will help get you through the night ...

If it helps at all, then ... let's all smile.

[willneverteachagain]

[The Bobster]

[PRagic]

Don't do anything. They didn't hire a professionally trained teacher, so you shouldn't be expected to BE one. Take your time, have FUN in class. Run around with the little baaastards and yipe it up. Why not?

You need a job with adults.

[merkurix]

[dee]

In response to The Bobster and the other generous posters here.

Yes, I think I have forgotten to love. I'm frustrated and I'm sending all the wrong signals out in class. Over the last few weeks my lessons have become totally drab, boring, and unenthused. I'm bored and the kids are damn right bored. I've had job-related and other stuff going on that may have affected my behaviour, but really, I have no excuse, except that I've just dug a whole for myself and now I'm wondering if I'm up for this job. When I first started, it was great to see the kids enjoying themselves, laughing, having fun, and learning something, but I haven't felt that for a little while. That's totally down to my attitude and my teaching skills though. I know I can do better but my confidence is down - the head strong girl that came here is in hiding.

However, you may be pleased to hear that while I'm deliberating over my suitability to teaching, I'm going to really try and turn things round. I'm spending the weekend getting my 'basket of esl tricks' sorted and deciding on an appropriate method of discipline/rewards. So, into battle I go.

Thanks again for all the tips everyone.

[dee]

[The Bobster]

If it helps, here's a thread started about 4 years ago ...

Classroom Rewards and Punishments

Smiles.

[koon_taung_daeng]

yea i hear you it can be hard to manage a class sometimes, you got to find that middle ground where they like you but still respect you, well anyways i thing that helps me shut my kids up is i draw a line on the board and everytime the class gets to loud i start erasing the line a little bit at a time and if i end up erasing the whole line then the kids have extra home work or no game or everyone has to stand up for the whole class, also CALL THEIR PARENTS if they piss you off to much and dont take shit from your boss he is a lazy *beep* who is making money off of you, make him earn his money or quit and work somewhere else

[polonius]

In order to help you properly I need to know a few specifics on the classes you will be teaching.

1- What level are the students?
2- What age are the students?
3- Are the any specific goals of the class, what are you teaching them, what are they expected to get from the class?
4- How many students in the class?
5- What is the look of the class? How are the desks set up? How much space do you have? What resources do you have available to you?

Let us know some of these, then people can help gear something fir your specific needs.

[Travelous Maximus]

Taco Bell.

[PRagic]

Two questions:

What was your major?

How long do you plan to live in Korea?

Just being realistic. I'm tired of the schools hiring people without education degrees or training, and then expecting them to be 'professional teachers' right off the plane. If that's what you want, then recruit and pay for it.

If you don't have a degree in education, and you don't plan on being here too long, then take it easy. Let them push you, but don't stress yourself out. Get your experience slowly and enjoy your time here as much as you can.

[dee]

I majored in English Literature. Teaching (English) is not my desired career path and I only plan to stay here for a year and probably not come back unless I have a devine epiphany and decide I really love teaching.

But, that doesn't mean to say I can go by week to week knowing that I'm doing a shit job. I just can't. I'm a stress head as it is and that would just destroy me. So, I want to do something about it, and at the moment, leaving isn't an option.