Korean Job Discussion Forums

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

Rather than hijack another thread, I'd like to find out what your opinions are on coteachers in the EFL classroom.

Personally, I find that my classes run much more smoothly with them, but then I'm lucky in that my CTs are good at what they do. They also help me to understand the specific language problems the students may encounter while studying a certain topic.

Some folks say that CTs are only for the "unqualified." I contend that a qualified EFL teacher will be able to walk away from the experience of working with a coteacher with a wealth of knowledge about his own teaching as well as the culture in which we live.

So my opinion is that CTs, while not absolutely necessary, are helpful.

So what do you think and why?

thatwhitegirl · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Location: ROK

I agree, they can be very helpful.

That said, I didn't have a coteacher last year when I taught 35 1st and 2nd graders. Was hellish at times....

And I also don't have one this year. But I am teaching high school.

In fact, the only time I had a coteacher (with lower level classes) was at a hogwan-type school in China. So helpful with the beginners and little kids. Especially with the 2 hour lessons.

So, I like having a coteacher....I miss it at times. But I don't think it's completely necessary.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I have classes for which I'm really thankful to have a helpful co-teacher, and classes in which the very last thing I'd ever want is a Korean teacher. I'm really lucky in that my school basically goes along with my suggestions of where I do and don't feel I need CTs.

icnelly · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

I think a teacher should be able to handle their class by themselves, BUT having the opportunity to work with another teacher in the class shouldn't be passed off as not being able to do your job.

Quality is always an issue when it comes to CTs and FTs. There are plenty of bad FTs, just as there are plenty of bad CTs.

My CTs help with setting routines, translating and checking comprehension, relaying messages to the homeroom teachers, classroom managment, and we team teach (modeling, sharing roles, etc). It's great to share the class/responsibility with another teacher.

Also, you always have someone you can ask questions: did that work?, what do you think? (observation, reflection)

waynehead · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Location: Jongno

If the students are at a high enough level that they understand me disciplining them &/or when I'm trying to get their attention, I don't need one. It also helps if the class has, say 15 students or less.

For my mixed level boys' middle school classes with 40+ in each, they're absolutely essential.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Korean co-teachers are absolutely essential - for me. Besides the usual classroom management issues (translation, discipline etc.), I'm not being paid enough to worry about nonsense like: setting and marking tests, establishing routines, checking absenses, ringing parents, classroom cleaning rosters, student counceling, D.O.E. show trials (sorry, demo classes), room decoration, school picnics, after school program attendance records, parental expectations, students' M.T. trips, litter control, uniform checks, student punctuality, buying classroom materials, aircondition control, maintenance oversight etc.

Frankly, I couldn't survive without my co-teachers help. I just come to work - plan and deliver lessons - go to the bank and get paid. Sweet.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Not necessary.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I teach four classes a day at my public elementary school. The last three of them are small (less than ten) with decent to near-fluent English abilities (not mixed- they're divided by class). For those I don't need a co-teacher, and in fact I prefer not having one.

But the first class, with grade one students, is Hell without one. I used to have one, but due to budget cuts a teacher got fired and my CT got moved to her own class. It's much harder alone.

peppermint · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:09 am Post subject:

I think they're a bit of a crutch for all parties, but if you're used to them, it's hard to break the habit.

I was the first native teacher at my elementary school and flew solo for about 8 months. It was rough on me and them, but the students learned a lot. Then I had a revolving door of co teachers, and noticed that a lot of the students stopped trying to understand me, and would wait for the k-teacher to explain in Korean. When I had to fly solo for a month again, near the end of my second contract, it was a nightmare.