Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sushi]

Found this in the Korean Times


Dear editor,

I'm compelled to write this letter on behalf of all native English speaking teachers in South Korea.

I read a lot of criticism of native teachers for talking bad about Koreans, not teaching Korean children properly or about not having teachers' certificates.

I have a story to tell. I teach at two elementary schools. At one of them my Korean co-teacher has a master's degree in English. Yet I can tell this teacher does not understand me when I am talking or how to explain to the children the lesson I am teaching.

In the second elementary school the principal does not care much about English in his school. So, needless to say they don't even have a Korean/English dictionary for me. They don't even have a (Korean) teacher to translate my lessons to the children. Although this school is larger than my other one, I teach alone. Therefore, it can be very difficult for the children to understand me. The teachers don't even teach the kids English in their classes. The fourth-grade students don't even know the ABCs. I know some teachers have to teach out of a Korean/English textbook. The English taught is of poor quality and the students become very bored.

Korean people have to realize ``the power'' that Principals have at their schools.

So, I propose a question. What or how do you suggest that we teach your children without the proper materials and/or teaching assistance?

I see that when you band together you can change laws regarding beef imports from the U.S. If you want your children to learn good English you should band together again and change the law regarding the power Principals have at their schools. No other country in the world allows principals this much power, with the education board of most countries providing a curriculum that schools have to follow.

My closing statement is before you blame or point the finger at foreigners not teaching your children English, understand the circumstances of the native English teachers here.

Schools hire us to teach English, but in many cases the Korean teacher takes over the class. However, their pronunciation is often bad, with many not teaching conversation at all. This results in some of us standing there feeling like fools and questioning why we are here.

Our hands are tied.

By Helen
[email protected]

[curlygirl]

Seen this thread?
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=127238