Korean Job Discussion Forums

[reimund]

I posted this thread (http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=119984&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0) a while ago, and honestly things haven't gotten much better since then.

Thus far I've been supportive of the teachers and all their disciplinary actions, but when it comes to contribution in lesson plans, I feel like I've hit a brick wall.

While the first thread dealt with issues with my main co-teacher, I'm now having issues with the second co-teacher.

The past couple of classes with her, she gave me some hostile glances, and I'm a bit bothered by what's possibly going through her mind. I don't really trust her anymore, and don't see her being in a supportive role any time soon.

At this point, I'm not going to fight over the lesson plans, as frustrating as it is. It feels like I'm being taken advantage of, but I also think arguing over it won't take me anywhere, except the same spot I'm in now.

But what really gets to me is that she gave me a spiel that the classes are to be split 80-20, with the foreign teacher doing the 80, but I've yet to reach close to 50-50. So why did she tell me this, when it's obvious she wants to do pretty much all the lesson plans all the time anyway?

So I'm just concerned, that my co-teachers (especially the second one, given her 80-20 spiel) may at some point may turn things around, and say that I'm not putting enough effort, or not doing my job, thereby getting me fired.

If I were in America, I wouldn't worry so much because if I were doing an unsatisfactory job, I'd get feedback from the upper management, and I'd deal with it accordingly before getting concerned with termination. But this IS South Korea. In the English education industry.

So is this a possible scenario? Could these crazy teachers actually turn things around and get me in trouble out of their own selfishness? Or am I being paranoid?

[olabueno]

"I'd like to find your inner child and kick its little ass"- 'Get Over It' by Don Henley.

[captain kirk]

I just went back via the link you supplied to your previous thread. I'm two months into my second year at pub elem.

The first year I had a godawful KT to work with. And she did just what you say; got up and corrected me, then sort of took over for a bit. It was as if she was demonstrating that my role was subsidiary. But I could see that her English was limited to what was in the book. And that she couldn't teach beyond getting them to repeat Korean style. Keeping them in line like 'children of the book' (pun on 'children of the corn').

This second year I have two KTs, like you do now, and they both talk to each other and are mindful of my method, teaching style, effectiveness, etc. They're better than the KT my first year, by far. But, like her, one of them would, if she could, interupt and take over for a bit.

I never let a KT do that because I'm stubborn. I figure that when it's her turn, she teaches. When it's mine, I teach. I don't interupt and she doesn't interupt. Because I get really irate and she backs off. But I've been teaching English a long time and am an older guy. Therefore I have good timing like a comedian and can keep the kids involved. Because I'm an older male the KTs, younger females, keep off. But, if I were weak and allowed them to get on my case they would, with nothing stopping them. They are Korean and male foreigners are not like Korean males. They don't 'have to' respect us as much. Some KTs take this muddiness re; our status in the hierarchy as a field day, open season, inroads to be made.
And one could become, to put it politely, pussywhipped day after day in a professional setting which could really get one down in the dumps.

Therefore you must avoid this.

I would suggest setting boundaries. For example no interuptions. This is like meddling. It could even be like nagging. A chance for them to put you down in front of the students by showing the students who's boss.

In the contract we are 'assistants'. In the contract we FTs are to help the KT. But why, then, do we have 80% of the classtime. Therefore, to avoid being publicly pussywhipped, it would be advantageous to agree that your 80% is 'KT in the corner' time.

Also, don't worry about 'being fired'. It's just these proto-hags mindbending you.

[RJjr]

[garykasparov]

Grow a pair and say "NO" or "Stop."

[Gwangjuboy]

[wylies99]

[crusher_of_heads]

[Fishead soup]

I suggest going into the school with a Korean American. You need a mediator to discuss educational long term goals. The teachers obviously don't feel conforatable talking with you. This is something you're going to have to work on if you plan to continue to work in Korea. You might be giving out negatives vibes.

Team teaching is a hard sell to most Korean teachers. Most of them don't see any long term advantages so they tend to revert back to test based teaching. You have to meet your co-teacher half way if you want to develope a good working relationship with them. Most of them work with deadlines and tests. They don't want to waste time on a bunch of meaningless games.

[KYC]

I'm almost finishing up my year at my current PS job and I would loooveee to be in a situation where team teaching exists. I am alone with students most of the time and when the Korean teachers do show up, they do nothing to contribute to teaching. It's always been 100-0 or 99-1.

I would just follow the lead of the coteacher. If he/she wants to take over, I would gladly obliged. However, I would never allow anyone to talk to me in a condescending tone in front of the kids. Off course this has never happened because I'm in control of the class all the time.

i guess after a year of teaching by myself, I wouldn't mind if the Korean teacher decides to take charge while I become a pronunciation robot...

[Fishead soup]

[kentucker4]

[earthbound14]

this does happen in Korea. You don't often get supportive criticism. Back home I would have monthly meetings with the principle. He seemed to know exactly what was going on in my classes and always gave me both positive and negative feedback. The idea was always clear that they wanted me there and they wanted me to get better. I really learned a lot and I really respected the principle for his ability to know what I was doing and help me be a better teacher.

Korea, not so. My first week the head teacher barged into class and started ranting about the fact that parents had complained about games being played in class. I had to calm her down out in the hall and explain that they were educational games and I was merely using the game in the same way another teacher might use note taking. She wasn't convinced and I had to stop saying "game" and start saying "activity". I had continual clashes with the head teacher who seemed intent on saying I sucked.

You need to be positive and stick up for yourself. Don't get angry with them, but you do need to explain what you're doing and you need to take control, even if you are a new teacher.

[fromtheuk]

OP - I empathize with your plight. I have written many threads about my co-teachers. The last one tried to disrespect me in front of the students, and I used to mimick her antics in class to wind her up, until she started to look really miserable.

I also had some of that paranoia, fearing I may be fired for not being up to scratch. But this mind game I believe is used by your co-teacher to make you obey their every 'command'.

I have just renewed for another year at the same school. Firstly, make sure you're never late to work, and make sure you look the part.

They won't fire you because they need you. Once you realize this, and once your Korean colleagues realize you realize this, they will give you less hassle.

Another helpful bit of advice is I do as little work as I possibly can, I never volunteer to do any extra work, and now I don't make any efforts to be polite to my Korean colleagues. I just make sure I am civil.

To give you an example, they used to ask me to do various things during lunch, when we had some form of festival taking place. When my last co-teacher began to disrespect me in class, I started to assert myself. In this instance, I pointed out I have a 1 hr lunch break and would do what they asked later on.

Eventually, they realized I don't care what they think and that I also wanted to do as little work as I possibly could. They didn't like it, but they now accept it.

I used to get derision from various Korean colleagues, but because I totally avoid them, they now totally avoid me, which is how I like it.

Be assertive, if they ask you to do anything which is optional or not in the contract, politely but firmly explain you won't do it because it's not in the contract.

If your co-teacher is being nasty, be as awkward as you can, while pretending to be vague and a bit dumb. If you do it regularly and blatantly enough for the co-teacher to get the message, you'll find they will get really wound up and angry or they will eventually put less pressure on you.

I would also advise you start to 'disrespect' your teacher in front of your Korean students in subtle ways, and I'd advise you to not even acknowledge the troublesome co-teacher unless there is a genuine need.

Be dismissive of your nasty co-teacher especially in front of their Korean colleagues, that will upset them for sure.

I feel quite good at my school, because they are so sick of trying any games with me, they almost run a mile when they see me.

Using this approach, will increase your self-esteem and will also make you realize your co-teacher is truly a nobody within the hierarchy of your school.

Just don't say anything to them, be civil and wind them up if they continue to be awkward with you.

All the best.

[KYC]

fromtheuk acts like a child, therefore he is treated like a child.

OP, if you want to be treated the same way, then take his advice.