Korean Job Discussion Forums

[captain kirk]

Hi Board,

I'm going into my second year at public school and I have two Korean English co-teachers. One for gr 3,4. Another for gr 5,6.

They said, 'lets sit down and talk about teaching'.

We did. I said that the book is very bad (standard curriculum, Zeeto and all that) and that I touch on what's in it if I think the kids don't know it. I described last year and my first experience with the book. How the students were unresponsive. I really followed the book and what it said the teacher should do, ten m. for this, fifteen minutes for that, etc. But the students wouldn't speak. Finally, I realized that the students COULD answer but CHOSE NOT TO. They could run circles around what's in the book and do it with their eyes closed.

Well, the Korean co-teachers listened. Said they thought the book was good, and I disagreed. I said that at the last elementary school all I did was touch on the book after I found the kids already knew it all because it's so simple! I made up my own stuff for them. The kids then perked up!

The co-teachers watched me teach classes solo, without them, and both were very impressed. The grade 5,6 one will let me do WHAT I WANT in class. Because those grades are alloted two classes per week, one of which is just her with them. So she can dose them with the book hardcore then, no problem. The Korean teachers are stuck on the book.

The gr 3,4 Korean co-teacher, though, gave me a letter she typed out. Actually, she read it to me. And I got the letter to take home. It was in an accusatory, passive aggressive tone, all of it, and said that she's the boss, basically. She did this because grades 3,4 are only alloted one English class per week. She and I will be there. She wants to remain fully faithful to the curriculum book during that time. And I will be her assistant. She asked, 'did you read your contract?'. Sure enuff, I'm listed as an 'English assistant' who is to help the Korean English teacher. I knew this already, but never thought any Korean English teacher would actually look up my contract and find solid grounds for their wearing the king pants in class!

She said that I said that all of the Korean English teachers I'd met had been incompetent. I didn't say this at all! And how could I generalize that all Korean English teachers, including her, teach boring classes. I hadn't seen her teach! Well, I didn't say that her class was boring AT ALL. All I said was the standard curriculum is DEAD BORING. My experience trying to teach it and only it revealed that to me.

She continued (in her letter) saying that there are many respectable Korean teachers (how she got on to me doubting this is just her running with the ball now, going for a field goal^^). Plus, she said, I am not a real teacher, I am just a co-teacher, and that I should keep this in mind. I am there to help and support HER. She herself is not a co-teacher. She will teacher FOR the students and stands up for the curriculum as is. Which is a KOREAN curriculum, designed for Korean students. And if I want to teach MY way, and not the Korean way, then I should go back to Canada or to a hagwon.

She also said that I should not ignore Korean teachers and Korean ways.

I think by this she means that, going along with the whole tone of the letter, I am not a real teacher and am to grovel, or something. Keep on fawning and grovelling^^.

I found this letter 'rather shocking'^^.

She also said that she will teach her style for twenty minutes and I can teach my way for twenty minutes.

She last taught English two years ago to younger kids such as grade 3,4.
She said she had a wonderful time and the kids did too.

What do I think? I think the curriculum is for Korean English teachers. I'd told them that's what I think before I got her letter. A Korean teacher can fill the vast empty spaces with chatter in Korean language and all will have a dandy time. But a foreign teacher stuck with the bare bones curriculum and unable to entertain the kids with subsidiary Korean chatter to sustain their interest.....

I wonder how you all have fared co-teaching with a Korean English teacher who is determined to go by the book. And who is determined that you, the foreign teacher, are there to help and support the Korean English teacher who is following the standard curriculum solely.

And, finally, does anyone know where I can get a lobotomy to survive the coming year with her?^^I think the only solution is to get right in with her the whole class doing the by the book thing. But while she's talking to the kids in Korean to add some cheer and humour to the dry fare I'll be standing there like an accessory. Actually, I hate the whole idea of going through with this as she plans.

I've said to her why didn't they hire someone fresh out of university and new to Korea and teaching if this is what they have in mind? I have taught English in Korea for 13 years; why pick me to be a talking dictionary.

Turns out she also went to the principal who supported her. Then she wrote her letter to me saying it's her way or 'go home or to the hagwons again'.

Really!^^Gotta love Korea. 'The road to hell is paved with the best intentions'. And she's earnest!^^

[ED209]

Tear the letter up put it in an envelope and leave it on her desk...if you want to quit. If not leave her a letter explaining the 'misunderstanding' you have and that you have ideas and abilities that the book only hinders. You're not a tape recorder. See if you can be allowed to teach your own lessons based on the language points in the book but using your own materials. Then go ahead and teach what ever you want. If you're part of GEPIK, EPIK or SMOE let them know now this has happened. Your CT writes your evaluations I assume so these guys will be more on your side if you've kept them informed. See if they can also arrange for you and your CT to observe a lesson at another school where the lesson is planned outside of the book (not sure how possible this is though).

[cbclark4]

So what are you options and will you take advantage of any of them?

You can write letter too.

Write a letter and respond to her arguement, pick the book apart of the
text is that bad you should be able to find plenty of ammunition to support
your arguement.


You can go to a Hagwan.

Apparently the CT has given you this option.
(was that really in the letter?)
Is the principle aware of this?
Did the principle get a copy?
Start shopping.

Go back to Canada.

While this is one of the suggestion I egt the feeling you don't consider it an option.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[iiicalypso]

Honestly, if that is her position there is not much you can do to change her mind. If you want to feel better about things, do what I did once.

1. Choose a student from your class and engage them in a conversation in front of your co-teacher.

2. Watch as the student gets completely flummoxed as soon as the conversation goes beyond "I'mfinethankyouandyou."

3. Point out that this is the high level performance that the ridiculous "Korriculum" produces.

4. Congratulate her on the unique four seasons, pure blooded race, and spectacular job in the realm of English education that this country has achieved.

5. Turn and walk away.

If ignorance was currency, this country would be able to surpass 40,000$ a head GDP in no time!

[ajuma]

Now, I'm not saying that I agree with the teacher who only wants you as a "trained robot", but think about the reverse situation. You've studied X language for years and are a trained teacher of X. Your school district wants you to teach from Y textbook and, since they are the ones who pay your salary, you abide by their decision.

Now, your school district brings in a person from X country, who of course is fluent in X. You might be feeling a little protective/defensive about the way you've been teaching up until now.

Don't throw in the towel and give up on her just yet. Follow her lead for the first couple of weeks or so, then slowly bring in some of your own ideas. Not "I'll show YOU that my way is better", but something you've maybe worked out with her in advance.

It's a long semester, and an even longer year. Don't put yourself in a position that you'll regret.

[Adventurer]

As I said to a Korean lady today, the Korean public school system and the hagwons are full of people who are not competent when it comes to the English language, and they are not interested adequately in proper English instruction. I am sure that I, as a certified teacher, would be challenged with different verbiage, because they do not want to go outside of the book. That would complicate things, and they just want their paycheck. Korea may have this superficial craze for English, but those in power to make a different are often corrupt. They do not want to talk about major changes. They also may fear you may make them look bad. You don't want to be in a situation where the co-teacher is losing face.

[Return Jones]

Those books aren't that bad. I taught with them for 2 and a half years. Go with the flow and do the best with what you've been given. Use the books and supplement from time to time with your own stuff. There are enough battles in the classroom, do your best to avoid them outside of the classroom. Good luck! Let us know how things work out!

[KoreanAmbition]

Wow, you have taught for 13 years and she is talking to you in that way? I think you've met someone that has some deep-rooted negativity to English teachers. Some people talk about quitting. Is it worth that? I'm sure being a veteran you can tolerate a teacher on a power-trip. It's like surfing, just ride the waves. I'm going to guess she's had bad experiences before with a teacher treating HER like the piece of dirt, so maybe one day she decided it was time to start kicking some English-teacher ass.


Bare in mind the rest of this post is based on pre-newbie status, but someone doesn't have to be a teacher to have run into difficulties with co-workers before.

Unfortunately, the contract says you are the co-teacher, so with all the complaining we do because of foreigners having problems with Korean bosses violating contracts, I think that you should show that you are not like them, and we should do our part to follow the contract if in fact it does say that. The rest of my post assumes you accept the rules of your contract.

If you are a good teacher and care about your job, you will learn from her style. No one says you'll find it is better, but you will learn weaknesses that you can correct in the future when you don't have to work with robo-teacher. Having an open mind after 13 years teaching might even open up some fresh thoughts about new techniques.

Since she wants to wear the pants, let her.

I agree with a previous poster about apologizing for the misunderstanding. So give a sincere apology since in fact your contract says you're the co-teacher.

Then you get your moment in the sun.
You said she typed a really long and involved letter to you. How was it for grammar?

I would edit her paper and hand it back to her. Use a nice really dark red pen. Make sure you are very neat in your marking, but also very picky, and of course, don't make any errors in the marking. Do it without being rude and hand it back to her nicely. No explanation needed, she'll fully understand when she gets it back.

At that point, just do what she wants, and teach the way she wants. You will OWN her pride, because in her mind you beat her at her job and did it without being rude. Probably, you'll shock her in return for not expecting someone to defeat in such a polite and mannerly way. It's a little different than the backhand she might expect from a Korean.

This teacher obviously cares bigtime about her job, (which possibly you might have to respect even a little bit), whether she's right or wrong in her methods. Remember, she still might need to learn some ideas, and possibly there truly is a way to work WITH her in this situation once she starts to respect you as a teacher more than she does now. Some people will respond better to you in the long run if you are nice rather than opposing her ideas. Win her respect (I know, that might be tough)through your knowledge, since she possibly might not respect anything else about your no matter what you do.

On the other hand, if you can't find much to critique in her letter, then maybe just get used to baking some brownies or cupcakes or whatever she enjoys eating when you teach with her. hehe

She might even react better to getting to choose her desserts. lol

Good luck though, sounds like you are quite the veteran, but still, everyone needs some excitement now and then.

[lastat06513]

She seems very power-hungry and ambitious and in all, has it out for you and I honestly don't see a happy ending to this.

If this was a perfect world (with that being said), I would've used the sit-down to ask "Ok, you stated your point. What do you ask of me? If you are the main teacher in class, when you are teaching, what am I to do in the meantime?".....try to get her feedback......If she goes on and says something to the effect of "Well, you're the English teacher, you should KNOW what to do..."......then you know for sure she is talking out of her ass. I would then have a sit-down with a your rep from EPIK and such and the Korean teacher and ask her what she expects from you in the class, what is your role with the students.
I find being a teamplayer shows alot in Korea and by showing that you are willing to be a teamplayer (at least IN the classroom, as for going out after class- F* it, its your time) you are willing to show some type of devotion to the students.

I used to get letters like that every time a coteacher thought I was doing something wrong and, at first, I would get pissed and huff and puff and think about quitting. But I later realized that by coming to some kind of compromise and finding out what my coteacher wanted, it worked out to the point that the status quo was kept peaceful, at least during work time.

As for her having issues about foreign teachers (and some Korean teachers do), that is her problem and that is something she has to deal with and shouldn't take it out on you and if the situation becomes static, I would contact your PS rep and have a sit down with your P. or VP. and let them know you won't tolerate working with a racist teacher and that if it continues, you would put in for a request for transfer. I think since it would look bad for that particular school for the foreign teacher to leave in the middle of the semester, I think you will find the Principle to be very accomodating to that point (but make the point that you like working there and that you find him to be a very generous person [butter him up abit]) and he might be able to mediate between you and your coteacher, at least for the sake of school and the students.

[gangpae]

WOW Dude you've been in Korea for 13 years! That's some bad karma if you ask me. You need to get an exorcism and then a flight home.

[jkelly80]

"So I'm non plussed by everything and condescending. I make little effort to hide this. Why am I encountering problems?"

[Bryan]

13 Years?

Why aren't you trying to get a university or international school job?

[ceesgetdegrees]

[ddeubel]

This really is an example of how it is not important WHAT you say/discuss with the co-teacher as much as HOW you say it.

The OP seems confused by the misunderstandings but I really also got the same impression as the Korean teacher. Why? I can only think that there wasn't the proper type of communication happening right off the bat.

I'll also add that all co-teachers would do well going through the questionnaire I've developed, to discuss classroom issues.

Be careful HOW you discuss things, that's all I can say.

DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com