Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bogey666]

I know I've seen threads such as these before.. but the search feature on this board blows so it's very hard to find them.

Essentially I've learned they will throw me into a high school without any set curriculum (not even sure if they have books) and basically say "teach".

I'm not a dummy and I'm willing to use some of the linked resources here and construct things, but I have no idea when and where to start if there are no set standards or curriculum... (I mean to get to point B, I at least have to know where point A is)

furthermore, I'm being told by the teacher leaving now, it's difficult to motivate the kids (and worse, it's a "technical" high school) and there are varying levels of competence in each large class.

I've kind of smelled this coming - so I'm trying to do as much research as I can before I am thrust into such a crappy situation.

I suppose a problem I must overcome is that in my previous teaching experience (in Latin America) , I taught a structured curriculum (different levels from lowest to highest actually, but it was structured according to books) and the students were all quite motivated, so I could play the "old school" teacher role I remember being taught by and am comfortable with, rather than the more modern "cheerleader" role.

I see the karaoke ideas and the game ideas, and crosswords and the such. these are all great ideas which I will incorporate, but do some of these actually take up an ENTIRE class? (hard for me to fathom, as in my previous experience, I had to think of such things too, but for limited time, then it was back to "structured book" stuff)

I want to take this seriously and do the best job I possibly can under the circumstances, but the lack of ANY support (far as I can tell, haven't gotten there yet) is a bit annoying.

anyways.. a renewed collection of links and any other ideas/suggestions would be highly appreciated. (btw.. shouldn't that be a STICKY) on the top of this board?)

I have no idea what kind of help/support I'll get from my Korean co-teachers, I'm banking on close to none.

are public school classes an hour long? or more?

ideally, I think the key is have a good book/curriculum and then incorporate activities, games, etc AROUND the material being methodically presented in the book.

This I can do - it's not rocket science.

but going in blind without a seeming start point, endame or measuring sticks seems like complete lunacy.

anyways.. end of rant.. as mentioned any help appreciated.

[chickyabroad]

I know there are a lot more seasoned teachers on here who will be able to help you more, but two questions/suggestions came to mind when reading your post:

You say you've been in contact with the teacher you're replacing - what have they been using for materials? I would think if there's already been a foreign teacher in the school, they must have had some sort of book to use. Or is there a national curriculum English book?

You also say it's a technical HS - can you focus mainly on English they'd need to do technical jobs? It might be more interesting for them if it's directly applicable to everything else they're studying, but I don't know how the school itself would react to that, especially if they'll be taking a standardized English exam for university or something.

And I'm also wondering, for my own benefit, did you go through a recruiter to get a public HS job? Which one? I want to work in a public school for my next job, either middle school or high school, but I rarely see high school positions mentioned.

[bogey666]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

If you're at a typical technical high school you might want to think of yourself more as an English activities teacher than an English language teacher. Instead of listing all the (many) negatives of such a job I'll try listing a few of the positives:

- just because your students' level is low doesn't meann your co-teachers will necessarily be crap. Unlike academic HS, where you really don't need / want them in the classroom, at a technical HS they are essential for giving the students basic instructions about things. If you work well together, you may be able to brighten up what's usually quite a gloomy class. Quite likely they've never done PPT games or different kinds of word-bingo before, or had teachers who could make up original puzzles.

- even at the worst school in Korea you may be surprised by a few of the students you find. You may have one or two who have lived abroad or who actually really want to learn some English. See if you can provide them with regular extra help outside class.

- some students who were mediocre at middle school suddenly find that if they try, they can be top of the class at a technical HS. For the first time in their lives they have the shot of being #1 and feel really encouraged.

My school only has two vocational classes that I teach regularly, and my experiences have been mixed. Class size with tech. / vocational students is a much bigger issue than with academic students in terms of management.

[Dome Vans]

Firstly I think it's best to not panic about starting. As it's your first time, just come and adjust to Korea and the students first. This'll give you a good idea about where you can fit in. For the first few lessons, get to know them, and find out about them as they find out about you too. You'll find a lot more about what is lacking when you get here and just start off with simple ice breaker lessons first.

You could have lessons printed up for the first three months but find they're completely useless because the work is too hard for them. Come with some ideas, use this board to bounce some ideas around (as you are doing) and then adapt your teaching style to the needs of the students. It takes time, i think a couple of months for this relationship to blossom. So in that sense don't panic before coming, it takes time.

[hugekebab]

just dont put pressure on yourself when you start...seriously the way they hoist massive classes of badly behaved students on foreign teachers is a joke and makes the whole concept of education and learning a new language laughable. Go to class, do your job and then forget about it and have a good time in Korea. Do not expect miracles because you will be disappointed!

Like the other poster said, sometimes you get a student who really wants to learn, so try and put some energy into them.

I was so demoralized when i first got here, the classes were huge and the 'adults' have the mental age of 15-16 which really shocked me. my celta training gave me such a false impression of English teaching (you actually TEACH on a celta course, here you just stand at the front and perform.)

Now, I don't care, I do my job, focus on the students who are listening and concentrate on my after school class that has people who really want to learn.

[teachergirltoo]

Actually there is a standard curriculum for first and second grade of high school. If you ask the director he/she will be able to give the books to you. These are the same books that the students use in their Korean English classes. I prepare lessons and handouts based on these chapters and try to coincide my lessons to happen the same week that the Korean teachers are teaching the same chapters. We find that the students are much more inclined to participate in the lessons because they've already covered the ideas presented in the other class and are eager to express their knowledge. The repetition of material presented through a different variety of activities also helps prepare them for their tests.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[teachergirltoo]

Some of the chapters are a reach for the students, but as a native speaker we also have the ability to teach the same information on a lower level than the KT with more interesting associated activities, thus laying a foundation for what the students can build on in the KT's class.

[bogey666]

actually it seems like the teachers at the school developed their own book - but I've been told if I don't like it I can get another.. and or they'll buy it ofr me.

I'll be ok. the points about it taking time and feel out process are excellent.

I think in a small sense I'm going to be bummed out though... my Venezuelan students were HIGHLY motivated and helping them really brought me a sense of satisfaction.

I still remember one semi advanced class..... they had to do an oral presentation - some of the students just BLEW ME AWAY with their English skill (heretofore hidden in class)

though the funniest was the most advanced class in the institute. these kids were just about to "graduate" - the program I think took 2 years... maybe 2.5 without interruption.

They were about 16 years old... they begged me NOT to do the institute's typical class curriculum, with the "warm up's" and the book and the audio tape....

they said we've been hearing this same old SHIT for over 2 years.... please!!!! we just want to graduate now!

I was so amused and certainly impressed enough by their level of English that I agreed to take it super easy on them, so long as we at least skimmed over the material and made sure they understood it (you needed to pass a written test to go on to next level or in this case, graduate)

so besides doing that.. we just sat around and b'sed and talked all the time (only in English of course, that was a rule in every course, English only starting from scratch)

I learned a lot from these kids. They were also very cool. And of course despite the sophistication and their grasp of the language, I sometimes found ways to help them/correct them..