Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rapacious Mr. Batstove]

At the public school I work at, back in April, an English class for the teachers was commenced with me as the instructor. I received the attendance book with a list of 25 names including the VP and principal. (who incidentally have never been to class but, I assume felt compelled to be seen to be on the list)

I initially planned accordingly, but never more that 8 students in any one class and now have a regular assembly of 5 teachers each week.

I recently commenced a similar teacher's English class at a nearby high school. 12 on the attendance book, 4 in the class, 3 weeks down. I planned for 12, made handouts, photocopies and structured the class for a larger group.

Where I'm from, it's rude to sign up for something and not attend. I get annoyed at planning for people who basically don't exist.

However, I am will to write this off as just another cultural difference. I have a suspicion that if a higher Korean offers a lower Korean the opportunity to attend a course they feel immediately obliged to sign up.
I'm guessing hierarchy thing comes into place. Perhaps when the lower Korean decides not to attend the course, it would be inappropriate for the higher Korean to confront them about it as that could involve a face-losing situation.

So...is it Korean to sign up regardless and then decide not to come?


Anyone else had constantly exaggerated attendance books?

[Scotticus]

[lucas_p]

Sadly, the above has been my experience, too. Just chalk it up to another "Only appearance matters" case here.

[aaabank]

I've been teaching in Korean public schools for two years and have had teachers' classes at both my elementary and high schools. It's just a fact of life that the teachers often have other things that they have to do (paperwork, prepping for classes, etc.). They may have the best intentions to attend class but the school semester catches up with them and that hour every week where they could be embarrassed by their inferior English skills is used for other purposes than attending the optional English class.

[jvalmer]

Apparantly the education office gives points away for these courses. So, teachers hoping to advance their career gets point for completing the "course". And the big wigs at the education office don't like giving points up easily. However, the only assement is that attendance book. If the teacher's don't tell you in advanced for missing a class, I'd mark them absent.

[nomad-ish]

while they may have a choice to sign up, i know the English teachers at my school didn't --it was required of them.

a lot of times they didn't come, but u have to keep in mind how much paperwork, etc. they have to do. just the fact of having a native teacher at their school automatically means more paperwork for them. not to mention special afterschool programs they have to do (my school has a mentoring program where each homeroom teacher chooses 1 under-privileged student to take somewhere each month or so...)

[kat2]

Some of then sign up then don't come
b/c they are really far below the other students and are embarrassed of their English
b/c their English is above theo ther students and it's boring
b/c they are too busy to come
b/c it was free, so they put their name on the list, but don't actually care.

And a lot more. It's the same with my after school English classes for the kids. I had a role of about 40 students in september. Now I consistently have between 10-15.

Koreans don't seem to understand that language acquisition is a progression and you can't just jump in whenever you want.

[browneyedgirl]

Too bad you can't charge them a fee for missing it (the way some doctors do for people that don't show up for appointments).

[Rapacious Mr. Batstove]