Korean Job Discussion Forums

[some waygug-in]

[Son Deureo!]

[William Beckerson]

[Kwangjuchicken]

I am into my 5th year in Korea . I have taught pre-school thru post doctoral classes. I always feel like an imbecile. That is the "secret to my sucess"

[Mr. Pink]

[Len8]

I first taught kindy as part of my hogwon teaching load, and hated it. They were my early morning class, and I had to teach it alone. I have since taught it with a good Korean teacher in attendance, and am now enjoying it very much. It helped to have somebody keep them quiet while I figured out what to do with them. Sometimes the Korean teachers would look up at the ceiling, and roll their eyes when they saw what I did. They were patient though, and I managed to weather the storm.

I have since run across the odd pre-school kid who knows a lot of English words. Too many in fact, and when I've asked them if they have a Waegukin at their Uchiwan. Many answer in the affirmative, so the work we do with them does pay off. I wouldn't have recognized their skills if I hadn't learned to like teaching them.

I've also learned to sing with them too. A co-teacher in one Uchiwan used to sing a lot with them, but at the time I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I ran out of ideas once, and asked them if they could sing, and they did. I got caught up with it, and was nicely encouraged to sing along with them by my Korean co-teacher. I was surprised that the kids didn't laugh at me or look at me like I was some clown. Now wonder of wonders I am not afraid to belt out any song that suits them, or myself. Sometimes the Korean teachers look on in shock

Was pleasantly surprised once to see a Korean teacher take down notes of what I was trying to teach. The next time I taught them I was quite happy to see that they were all able to parrot off reasonably good sentences.

[Mr. Pink]

len8,

Guess this advice can go for you or anyone.

Kids don't get embarrassed. They are KIDS. Singing and doing stupid things are what they are all about. IMO they learn about embarrassment from adults who can't handle stooping to a childs level.

I used to love singing with the kids. I suck arse at singing, but it was always so much fun. One of the things that makes kindy so great is you can act like a kid with them and they love you for it.

[adventureman]

..

[d503]

I'm aware I am not a guy. But I get frustrated when I see people who say kindie kids don't learn. Or that kindie kids don't respect male teachers in the same way. Kids respect old people, old people being any one old enough to always walk down the steps alone or can do something better than them. I replaced a male teacher who enjoyed his job and the kids loved him, as other posters say I think male teachers have the ability to become a second dad figure to these kids as they don't get to see their real ones a whole lot. While women teachers won't replace their mom's, trust me a child screaming for mommy doesn't calm down at the sight of just any woman.

And kids learn what they need to know, the idea that if I learn English I will be able to advance into a high ranking government or business job with more ease than if I don't doesn't matter to them. So when I teach kids I make them need English. You want water, play time, food, more, to go to the bathroom, to go home, for me to make you a fantastic boat hat, scissors, glue, crayons, etc, they ask in english. And they ask in full sentences, its amazing what they can do. And its amazing that seeing English as a tool encourages a lot of these kids to learn more. I spent a month or 2 answering to Korean demands, I don't anymore and the progress has been awesome. Teaching these kids isn't any more emasculating, then teaching a kindie kid to ride a bike or play baseball.

[tomato]

Hello, Fonzie!

I have three messages which I wish to convey:

It is futile to tell another person how to feel or how not to feel.

Many contributors to this thread tried to tell Fonzie how to feel and how not to feel. But what is Fonzie supposed to do? Reach inside his brain and flip a switch? Sorry, it doesn't work that way. Emotions cannot be turned on and off like ceiling lights.

And how shall Fonzie respond to all this mud-slinging? Fall to his knees in surrender? Sorry, it doesn't work that way. People resent insults, so people fight back.

Whether Fonzie's feelings are rational or not, they should be empathized with first. After those feelings are adequately discussed, then we can hold a logical debate. Here are some good books on the subject:



Men and women are born with different instincts.

You can do all the legislating you want to, you can do all the social activism you want to, and you can call people "male chauvinists" and "old fogeys" all you want to. That won't change anyone's inner brain.

Evolution is a slow process, and we are still wired for survival in prehistoric society. We may get reprogrammed for unisex someday, but don't hold your breath.

Men have a role with kids, it's just a different role.

Take a look at Son Deureo's post. He hit the nail right on the head.

Also, take a look at my post in an earlier thread:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=30235&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[VanIslander]

[Kwangjuchicken]

[Beach~life]

Van Islander's post might seem a bit harsh to the OP's ego but to be fair, he's probably right. You heard the old cliche a thoasand times but it often rings true "kindie ain't for everyone." It really is a case of being able to hack it, and I've found kindie teaching to be the most challenging teaching I've ever done.

You have to be able to think on your feet and improvise almost every time just to keep your sanity. But, if you can engage the childrens imagination enough, you'll find they can be far more rewarding than a lot of the adult classes you might teach.

Case in point, at least you won't have students who can barely lift their heads from the desk after a soju-tankin bender the night before! (Seems you can get away with a lot more in these Korean companies )

Anyhow, Does kindie teaching 'imasculinate' someone?? I hardly think so.. As a previous poster's have said if you can check your inhibitions (and your ego ) at the door and just roll with them you can be an excellent role model. Kindie teachings more about having fun and trying to make the children more comfortable speaking to foriegners.

Personally, I think the kindie english teachers in Korea are making a wonderful impact on the future youth of Korea, especially in this 'hermit kingdom'

Recently I've had a whole bunch of counselling sessions with several of the mothers. One comment really made my day. Translated via my Korean co-teacher

"bonnie's brother has private classes at home with another waeguk sonsaengnim, he's often quite shy around him. However, Bonnie's much more comfortable around him. So Bonnie's father and I wanted to thank you."

On a side note though.. gonna take a break from kindies soon, and do some other things. It'll be a welcome relief^^haha

[itaewonguy]

no....

[itaewonguy]

no....
if you watch kindy shows around the world.. you will notice most of them are hosted by men!
even the most famous in korea BOONG BOONGI is hosted by a man!
when I grew up it was men too..
nothing wrong with teaching kids if you like it..