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SpiralStaircase
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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 Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject: How many of your co-teachers are playing dumb? |
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An interesting story. Allow me:
I had a demo class for district supervisors and Korean-English teachers. I was told two days prior to the class. My co-teacher was told a week prior (as she had to fax my lesson plans to the district office).
Since beginning the position, I have been responsible for the entire workload. Lesson planning, marking, tests, discipline, teaching� I can handle that. I have tried to include my co-teachers as much as possible but they refuse to budge.
Until the day of the demo class that is. Suddenly my co-teacher found her voice. The students were as shocked as I was. I took the liberty to introduce myself in front of the class and ask if she was new here.
The class ended with applause from the gallery. Teachers were amazed at the level of collaboration.
Had a class with her this morning. Right back to square one.
Where are the Snowdens of Yesteryear? |
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Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by Ramen on Thu May 05, 2011 4:02 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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cdninkorea
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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This is par for the course. I've been lucky and have generally had good co-teachers, but the part I can relate to is that the 'open class' is not really a 'class'- 'open performance' would be a more accurate description.
They make demands they normally never do, such as review rather than fresh material so everyone can see how much everyone has learned, lots of laminated, color materials prepared and a lesson plan typed and submitted a week prior.
I always refuse on the grounds that if you're going to call it open class, it should be a real class and be like any other day. I get into some heated arguments about it but ultimately do a regular class anyway, and so far no complaints from the "audience".
The supervisors and co-teachers I've worked with have had no such qualms regarding integrity, preparing for open classes like the stage crew for a Broadway show. And yes, even the bad ones will suddenly start teaching. |
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SpiralStaircase
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject: Is that it? |
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| Now you know how lazy and useless co-teachers are. |
I was looking for something more substantial.
I was thinking:
1) I have alienated them from participating
2) They still lack the confidence to be active
3) Attitude
This attitude could be my doing. I was quite hard on them for using Korean in class. The thing is, our students have done fine without it. It's the teachers that suffer.
I�m dealing with 8 co-teachers at the moment. I was told that they wanted as many Korean teachers to have the opportunity as possible. Now I�m thinking they just wanted a couple extra hours of break. |
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SpiralStaircase
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject: You nailed it... |
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They make demands they normally never do, such as review rather than fresh material so everyone can see how much everyone has learned, lots of laminated, color materials prepared and a lesson plan typed and submitted a week prior.
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That was exactly what she did. She reviewed my last class, props in hand, and then took charge of the assignment that I designed. No wonder she was paying such close attention to my last class. |
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Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:50 pm Post subject: Re: You nailed it... |
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| SpiralStaircase wrote: |
| Quote: |
They make demands they normally never do, such as review rather than fresh material so everyone can see how much everyone has learned, lots of laminated, color materials prepared and a lesson plan typed and submitted a week prior.
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That was exactly what she did. She reviewed my last class, props in hand, and then took charge of the assignment that I designed. No wonder she was paying such close attention to my last class. |
So you are a great teacher who taught your co-teacher how to teach.
Now just sit back and let her do 99% of the teaching if she is not lazy and useless. Just praise praise praise praise your co-teacher what a great job she's doing and maybe she'll take charge. You can then just sit back and critic her after each and every class sort of like a consultant. |
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weatherman
Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 5:00 am Post subject: Re: How many of your co-teachers are playing dumb? |
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| SpiralStaircase wrote: |
An interesting story. Allow me:
I had a demo class for district supervisors and Korean-English teachers. I was told two days prior to the class. My co-teacher was told a week prior (as she had to fax my lesson plans to the district office).
Since beginning the position, I have been responsible for the entire workload. Lesson planning, marking, tests, discipline, teaching� I can handle that. I have tried to include my co-teachers as much as possible but they refuse to budge.
Until the day of the demo class that is. Suddenly my co-teacher found her voice. The students were as shocked as I was. I took the liberty to introduce myself in front of the class and ask if she was new here.
The class ended with applause from the gallery. Teachers were amazed at the level of collaboration.
Had a class with her this morning. Right back to square one.
Where are the Snowdens of Yesteryear? |
She needs to be dumb for the public job she has. If she had 'skills' she wouldn't be looked at as Korean enough for the job. In the demo class, she showed off for the benefit of her self and pride and to show others. Now back at the job, she needs to be Korean agian, where she knows English, but use it is out of the question. Simple don't expect more from her. Do your job, do it well, and be happy with yourself. |
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Sody
Joined: 14 May 2006
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 6:02 am Post subject: |
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I would agree with this advice, it is good. As for the OP, he raises a good point. All Korean teachers are pretty much like this. I would say 98% of them anyhow. It's all about saving face.
There used to be a time when I thought that ALL Koreans hated foreigners. That's not true. But I do feel strongly that 99% of all Koreans hate English. Most of them resent having to speak it or learn it. Can't say I blame them.
Sody |
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maingman
Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Location: left Korea
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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Sody wrote :
I would agree with this advice, it is good. As for the OP, he raises a good point. All Korean teachers are pretty much like this. I would say 98% of them anyhow. It's all about saving face.
There used to be a time when I thought that ALL Koreans hated foreigners. That's not true. But I do feel strongly that 99% of all Koreans hate English. Most of them resent having to speak it or learn it. Can't say I blame them.
... idiot comment |
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crescent
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: yes.
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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| maingman wrote: |
| ... idiot comment |
Enlighten us. |
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maingman
Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Location: left Korea
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject: . |
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crecent wrote
maingman wrote:
... idiot comment
Enlighten us.
Sody wrote :
I would agree with this advice, it is good. As for the OP, he raises a good point. All Korean teachers are pretty much like this.
>like what... way too vague comment I think
I would say 98% of them anyhow. It's all about saving face.
There used to be a time when I thought that ALL Koreans hated foreigners. That's not true. > personally unsure what they trying to say!
But I do feel strongly that 99% of all Koreans hate English. Most of them resent having to speak it or learn it. Can't say I blame them.
... idiot comment
> responses above
thanks |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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I've had a lot of coteachers and all of them do as much, if not more work than I do. Yes, I do most of the teaching in class, but they handle the preparation and the planning.
It works out well. During class, my coteachers can kinda zone out and walk around and observe my teaching style. Outside of class I can sleep, watch TV, or do whatever while my coteachers plan.
Open Classes are a dog and pony show. The open classes are not to YOUR benefit. They woud like you to believe that they are observing you, but thats not the case. They are observing the Korean teacher. This will be important when it comes down to getting raises and promotions.
For most of us, ESL teaching is not a career. A bad open class is not going to bite us in the ass 5 or 10 years down the road. For the Korean coteacher, it just might make or break a promotion or move. |
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Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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| pkang0202 wrote: |
| For most of us, ESL teaching is not a career. A bad open class is not going to bite us in the ass 5 or 10 years down the road. For the Korean coteacher, it just might make or break a promotion or move. |
Oh good! Now I know what to do when my co-teacher doesn't cooperate.  |
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SpiralStaircase
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject: Agreed but... |
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| Quote: |
| For most of us, ESL teaching is not a career. A bad open class is not going to bite us in the ass 5 or 10 years down the road. For the Korean coteacher, it just might make or break a promotion or move. |
I understand and fully agree. But I draw the line when they show me that yes, they are capable of taking some responsibility, but no, regular classes are not worth the effort.
I don�t agree with the entire co-teacher dynamic, but it works extremely well when both parties are involved. The problem is, as foreign teachers, we tend to be treated in one of two ways:
1.A complete imbecile only to be used for pronunciation drills
2.Trusted in so much as to be given complete control yet not deemed important enough to be involved.
I don�t get it.
Perhaps there is nothing to get. |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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| pkang0202 wrote: |
I've had a lot of coteachers and all of them do as much, if not more work than I do. Yes, I do most of the teaching in class, but they handle the preparation and the planning.
It works out well. During class, my coteachers can kinda zone out and walk around and observe my teaching style. Outside of class I can sleep, watch TV, or do whatever while my coteachers plan. |
Let me guess... you're in elementary school!
Counting down to my "how the hell do I switch to elementary school mid contract" topic! |
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