Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Figure8]

I am applying to S.M.O.E. for the fall. I have a pretty good idea about how my personal teaching philosophy might go, though I fully realize a philosophy meeting with reality usually equals comedy/tragedy, especially one as green as mine. My mother was a high school teacher, so I have a lot of experience observing what a teacher goes through, though, I have no direct experience with teaching. I have no illusions about how "wonderful" it can be either. It's not without its quiet rewards, I'm sure. But among you who have more of an educational background in actually educating people, what are some of the touchstone materials you believe in and go to for studying up on the philosophies, methodology, etc., that actually do make it easier for you to understand what you are doing in a classroom? What would you recommend for someone who needs to read up on the basics? I have no intention to simply copy down what I read for my essay, of course. But I am looking for influences. A lot of my trip to SK is about dipping my toe in education as a career path, which I might take up as a new direction once my time is over there. However, I would rather be as good as I can be at it now, or as good as I can be at it without a formal background, because I would take this position seriously were I to be hired. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Links to web materials would be preferred, if possible, though if there are certain books that you feel are essential, please let me know, of course.

[xingyiman]

[talltony4]

I would agree with that, lots of trained teachers don't really like it.

It's a bit too "mickey mouse" I guess. I'm talking about profit coming before education (mostly a hagwon problem), teaching non-credit courses (public school and university), and the language barrier.

Having said that, do your research, remember to stay totally CHILLED in your first year, and then you can have a look around for your ideal job after that.

[Figure8]

I'm sure that you're right about there being a choice with regard to accepting the way things are there, versus wishing that they might be what they "should be", etc. I have read enough on this forum about the difficulties, and have known two EFL teachers in particular who have worked in Korea who have told me their stories in detail. I realize and completely accept that I would not be teaching in an environment similar to any Western school and would face imperfect scenarios that have no ready answer. But I am still curious about suggestions as to materials to read.

[Bibbitybop]

I don't agree that previous teachers dislike teaching in Korea for a couple of reasons.

1. Previous teachers, especially ones that had to deal with NCLB in the USA, love the low teaching hours, lack of homework, lack of grading and the fact that the Korean teacher takes care of discipline. I watch TV shows and read lots of things at my desk if I want to.

2. Teachers who want to do more.....do more. Look at ddeubel. While he's not a regular foreign teacher, he has developed a comprehensive website and teaching resources. Some teachers do let the Korean teacher plan while the foreign teacher assists. Others, like me, plan everything and get involved in more than I'm required to. This is due to my previous experience and the trust I've gained from my school. I teach many other classes after school to students as well as teachers. I teach at other schools, too, through the connections I've made by being an active teacher.

[Figure8]

Good to know. Did you have previous non-ESL teaching experience in America, Bibbity?

[Bibbitybop]

[Ya-ta Boy]

[mnhnhyouh]

I was a teacher in Australia. I love teaching here, and my teaching skills are improving.

Teaching in a hagwon let me see kids improve daily, and let me really push them. Further, I was able to get to know each kid (max 6 per class) and see what their learning styles were and present the material in a way that slipped unnoticed into their sometimes resistant brains.

Teaching in a high school lets me deal with the other end of the spectrum, learning classroom management with very large groups (40) and doing the performance bit.

I have complete freedom to teach what I want, and do all the lesson planning , classroom management etc. I think I was given this freedom from the get go because of my past, however, I think you could also earn this once the teachers become confident you have the skills.

I save only a bit more money that when I was in Australia, but no longer have to deal with all those least favorite things: marking, reports and parents.

h

[Yu_Bum_suk]

While there may be universals when it comes to classroom teaching, remember that:

- teaching in Korea is not like teaching in the west.
- teaching EFL is not like teaching other subjects.
- teaching EFL in an L1 environment is not like teaching it in an L2 emersion environment.
- teaching and working with Neo-Confucians is not like teaching and working with Platonists and Aristotelians.
- teaching ECE is not like teaching elementary, which in turn is not like teaching adolescents, which in turn is not like teaching adults.

I, too, have known several people who described themselves as successful school teachers in the west but had a lot of trouble coping here.

[Figure8]

Your suggestions are all very helpful. I am going to begin to use them and generate ideas for the my time there.

Thanks!

[xingyiman]