Korean Job Discussion Forums

seoulsucker · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 6:17 pm Post subject: Hell Week

This is my 3rd year teaching at a public school, and every year at the end of each semester I have to endure one of the most ridiculous aspects of Korean education, what I refer to as "Hell Week."

Most of you are familiar with the philosphy behind Korean education. Listen, memorize, regurgitate for test, repeat. From as early as preschool the importance of tests is reinforced. We all know that.

However, in public schools final examinations are administered at least one to two weeks prior to vacation starting. The result of this is a school full of kids who could give two sharts about what you're trying to teach them.

The reason behind this scheduling? I've had this discussion at 2/3 schools.

Me: So if the final exams are the "end all be all" of the semseter, why are we still here?
Sup: Because the students need to be at school to get the results of their exams.
Me: Why does it take two weeks to grade the exams?
Sup: Because the teachers are busy with their classes.
Shocked

It's difficult to do as a sane, rational individual, but I have accepted this and have always planned different activities or lighthearted stuff that will at least keep the kids from driving me crazy.

However, every year I get a lecture from my supervisor explaining that I should continue on with a regularly scheduled lesson plan knowing full well the students will never be tested on it, or I will have to repeat the lesson at the beginning of the next term.

At the same time I routinely hear teachers in the lunch room baffled as to why their precious students have suddenly turned on them.

I've got a sweet deal, don't get me wrong. I sometimes just find that when you're close to perfection, the smallest imperfections are the ones that will drive you the most mad.

If it wasn't for the 5 weeks of sheer freedom I have waiting for me after 1:00 on Friday, I think I just might go nuts. For those other PSers out there, I feel your pain...but it's almost over. Cool

mercury · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Pusan

Never critic a system that produces results!

I mean...... look at all of the great noble prize winners korea has produced, look at all the great acedemic institutions in south korea, many are ranked well above Oxford and Yale. All of this success has come from those extra two weeks........

Ha Ha........hey, mention this to your supervisor!

Octavius Hite · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 6:47 pm Post subject:

I have now seen the first 45 minutes of the incredibles 30 times 1 more class and thats it!

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

The secret to surviving Hell week- don't teach.
Aren't you just showing movies

ceesgetdegrees · Joined: 12 Jul 2007

My hell week consists of monday-off tuesday-off wed-school thur-school fri- THAILAND!!!!!!!!! jesus, why do we put up with such inhumane treatment?

That said, i do deserve some goodies thrown my way given that i have been a kickass teacher all semester.

stumptown · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 7:04 pm Post subject:

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

I feel ya. I've seen the first half of "Cool Runnings" more times than I'd care to count. 1/3 of the kids watch the movie, 1/3 sleep, and the other 1/3 chat away in Korean. I don't do anything to stop them--if they want to hear, they tell each other to be quiet. I get lots of practice reading Korean subtitles.

Yep, education at its finest. Rolling Eyes

I told my CTs not to bother coming to class, since I know they're "busy" grading. They've all thanked me "for being so understanding." As far as the principle knows, we're doing "cultural activities" in my classes. Wink

seoulsucker · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject:

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

You must teach at an academic high school...?

Between classes, when I walk by the other classrooms, I've seen the whole class sleeping, kids having a free period to talk, and teachers showing Korean TV dramas.

No wonder the kids don't want to do anything, with all of their teachers letting them have what basically amounts to free reign.

Why swim against the tide?

lowpo · Joined: 01 Mar 2007

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

seoulsucker · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 8:04 pm Post subject:

Hmmm....might have to break down and show "Kung Pow! Enter the Fist" the rest of the week. I guess it's worth a shot, and considering I have a sore throat it might not be a bad gamble.

Carlyles Ghost · Joined: 04 Jul 2007

I am showing 8 LEGGED FREAKS; nothing like cars squishing gigantic spiders to keep the kiddies interested. For the sake of form, I leave two minutes at the end of class for question and answer. I work them pretty hard most days so I feel good making things a little easier (but only for this week!! Twisted Evil

)

Alyallen · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject:

I've seen the movie Spirit more times than I'd care to count.

I should show them Kung Pow! I have the DVD...hm.....so tempting....

bosintang · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 8:15 pm Post subject:

This week is Mr. Bean week. It's a "cultural" activity. If I get sick of an episode, I just show a different one to the next class.

I have to agree. Don't swim against the tide. I walk by classes, the kids are hanging out the windows, sleeping, chatting, throwing things -- doing anything but anything actually productive. I'm not going to fight it.