Korean Job Discussion Forums

[some waygug-in]

Where do Koreans get the idea that a foreign teacher operates best without any resources, supplies, equipment of any kind?

What's up with this attitude? During my hagwan days, I chalked it down to the Wonjonnim's stingy approach ie: he was just too cheap to buy anything. I thought coming to the public school system would be different, but no such luck. Last year, after repeatedly asking where the resources were for the textbooks, I was always told that the school doesn't have them. (didn't buy them) But I have seen scant hints that these supplies do indeed exist somewhere in this school, but are kept well hidden. I have seen a Zeeto mask, and it must have come from somewhere.

What do they think? It's better to try and teach without this stuff?

No wonder it's so difficult to get the kids doing the role plays!!!!!!!!!

Where are the F&*(ing masks? Where are the word cards? Where are the picture cards?

I have heard rumors to the effect that foreign teachers shouldn't be allowed access to any resources, as it might make us "lazy" and that we should be encouraged to make our own.

I'm not opposed to making my own stuff (within reason) but this attitude is idiotic. Why hide the resources?

OMG! we can't allow the foreign teacher to use picture cards!!!! OH no no!

That would be an outrage! We can't allow him/her to use anything on the internet! OMG! Just think what we might be exposing our children too!

Are they all complete morons?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mistermasan]

yes. the access to teaching "gear" here is light years behind taiwan. not surprisingly, so is the english level of the students.

[nomad-ish]

my school doesn't have a problem with me using stuff from the internet (already made worksheets, game boards, things like that). would your school really know if you did?

i think the "rationale" behind this line of thinking with the korean teachers is that they feel that since we're not responsible for much, if any, of the paperwork/grading/etc. that they are, we should be making stuff from scratch that they can use after we've left.

i recently had 2 of my co-teachers come up to me to copy some of my powerpoints (some i made, some i downloaded from the net). although it's in my contract that stuff i make during school hours belongs to them, but it was SO difficult giving them stuff that i had taken hours to make

[LostinKSpace]

I give my co-workers a little of what I have but not everything, and I am sure that my pc will crash just before I leave..

Not that what I have is great, I once saw a powerpoint whch had developed by x on every page and the person had set it up in such a way that you couldn't edit it in anyway, not sure how to do that but I could see the benefits i.e. making it run really slow so it becomes unusable.

I just think it depends on how your PS treats you, if they teat you well then you feel more inclined to share and if they treat you badly then you reep what you sow.

[nomad-ish]

[ceesgetdegrees]

There are some really good resources to compliment the tnara website. 1 of my schools has them and the other doesn't, the school that doesn't told me to make everything up and that i should know how to do this from what they taught us at the orientation week seminar thing. These people really don't have much of an idea of whats going on.

[Fishead soup]

All you need is a set of Micky Mouse ears and a big bag of candy

[some waygug-in]

Yeah, candy ummmmm.


If they really want me to make stuff, I'm happy to make what I can.

But what is the point of hiding the resources they already have?

As if they are going to use some schlocky version of cards that I had to make over the ready made ones they already have!

It's so bleepin' stupid I can't get over it.

[seoulsister]

Public School = world class illogical.

I think in this system you can only do 1 of 2 things. 1: Continue to do a good job with all the frustration it entails, for your own self-respect, or 2: screw it! They don't use their brains, why should you? If there are no masks, there are no f*king masks, not your problem. Consider it a babysitting job until such time as they pull their heads out of their asses.

Or perhaps a little of both would work...

I'm sick of it, the stupidity knows no bounds.

[some waygug-in]

Good news! My new co-teacher is open to suggestions and is more than willing to let me use things like youtube videos as part of my lessons.

I was worried that it was going to be the same as last year...or even worse.

Still no word on the masks and stuff though.