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Hanson
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
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 Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:11 am Post subject: It's just a job now |
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Over the last couple of years, I've really lost my zeal for teaching. I used to prep a lot and give 100% in the classroom. I used to care much more than I do now.
Funny thing is, my evals from students haven't changed. I still get fairly good reviews, but I know it's just a game.
Anybody else feel this way?
EDIT: I guess I should add that student motivation (or lack there of) is a huge factor. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 6:00 am Post subject: Re: It's just a job now |
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| Hanson wrote: |
| Over the last couple of years, I've really lost my zeal for teaching. |
Anytime I start to feel like that, I know it's time to change schools/jobs. The change in scenery revitalizes my enthusiasm for the job. I find 3 years is about when it usually happens. |
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Hanson
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 6:13 am Post subject: Re: It's just a job now |
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| Young FRANKenstein wrote: |
| Hanson wrote: |
| Over the last couple of years, I've really lost my zeal for teaching. |
Anytime I start to feel like that, I know it's time to change schools/jobs. The change in scenery revitalizes my enthusiasm for the job. I find 3 years is about when it usually happens. |
It's been 4 years at the same gig for me now... |
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Spliff's Son
Joined: 09 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:22 am Post subject: |
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| It was always just a job. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:25 am Post subject: |
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Three years in and signed up for another year. My objective is to make my life as comfortable as possible.  |
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Whirlwind
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:21 am Post subject: |
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| I hear you. I've been at my place for awhile as well(save for a short time back home last year). I've got my job completely mastered. No challenges, no surprises and no stress(which is a good thing). Anyhow, my time at my current job will end later this year, as it is time to start something else. But I get where you're coming from. I feel like I'm going through the motions. My body is there, but my mind isn't. |
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Tobias
Joined: 02 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:47 am Post subject: Going through it now |
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I'm going through that right now, Hanson. I feel like my job is akin to a researcher who's gotten a government grant to study something silly that will come to nothing...and he knows it up front. Tell me that feeling won't drag your morale down to your knees.
My students, fellow teachers, and superiors all believe one can come to an English class once a week for an hour and become fluent in three weeks. My 'patrons' don't bother to study outside of class, but who gets blamed if they don't reach the fluency plateau?
Yeah, I know what you're feeling, mate. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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I actually like my job (controling 23 classes/week of 38 monkey-boys - public middle school). I actually care about the 5% I can teach, and will do my best by them ... the other 95% who the hell cares?  |
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sineface
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Location: C'est magnifique
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: Going through it now |
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| Tobias wrote: |
I'm going through that right now, Hanson. I feel like my job is akin to a researcher who's gotten a government grant to study something silly that will come to nothing...and he knows it up front. Tell me that feeling won't drag your morale down to your knees.
My students, fellow teachers, and superiors all believe one can come to an English class once a week for an hour and become fluent in three weeks. My 'patrons' don't bother to study outside of class, but who gets blamed if they don't reach the fluency plateau?
Yeah, I know what you're feeling, mate. |
I am totally, one hundred percent, in the same sinking boat. |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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I have a huge fear that by sticking out this last contract - I'm due to leave next spring - by then I'll have totally burned myself out and never want to teach again - I hope that's not the case - I really do. 
I was so excited to come here, excited about teaching. K has really burned that enthusiasm and joy, burned it down to a blackened charcoal-colored nub. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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| moosehead wrote: |
| ...l burned it down to a blackened charcoal-colored nub. |
Ooooh, that's depressing.
I 'teach' English by doing a 'CSI investigation' to find out who broke the window during the last break.  It's amazing how they're willing to squeal on each other. |
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ytuque
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Location: I drink therefore I am!
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: It's just a job now |
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| Hanson wrote: |
Over the last couple of years, I've really lost my zeal for teaching. I used to prep a lot and give 100% in the classroom. I used to care much more than I do now.
Funny thing is, my evals from students haven't changed. I still get fairly good reviews, but I know it's just a game.
Anybody else feel this way?
EDIT: I guess I should add that student motivation (or lack there of) is a huge factor. |
I have a feeling that you are burned out on teaching K-students. Have you considered teaching in another country? |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Yeah, I'm sure Hanson could regain the passion for teaching by moving to China for 4,000 RMB/month. |
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R. S. Refugee
Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Location: Shangra La, ROK
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: It's just a job now |
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| Hanson wrote: |
EDIT: I guess I should add that student motivation (or lack there of) is a huge factor. |
What?!?!?!
Don't you know that Koreans are the world's most dedicated students? I know MS students who go to school all day and then go to private education for another 5 hours or so after public school ends. These people live to study. So, they must be the most well-educated, knowledgeable people in the world.
Many MS and HS students only get 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night because of their intense desire to expand their knowledge of the world around them.
What more dedication could we ask for from students?   |
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Hanson
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: It's just a job now |
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| ytuque wrote: |
| Hanson wrote: |
Over the last couple of years, I've really lost my zeal for teaching. I used to prep a lot and give 100% in the classroom. I used to care much more than I do now.
Funny thing is, my evals from students haven't changed. I still get fairly good reviews, but I know it's just a game.
Anybody else feel this way?
EDIT: I guess I should add that student motivation (or lack there of) is a huge factor. |
I have a feeling that you are burned out on teaching K-students. Have you considered teaching in another country? |
It's difficult for me to pick up and move now that I have a wife and daughter. If I was single and free to do whatever I wanted to, I would definitely consider a change of decorum - but my 3-year-old is in daycare, still learning the Korean language, and it wouldn't be fair to her to pick up and go to, say, Japan. It's not only about Hanson anymore.
China? Not for that salary.
As far as this:
| Quote: |
| It was always just a job. |
I didn't used to feel this way, like I said in the OP. Teaching "Freshman English", a mandatory class for all 1st years at my uni, has slowly eroded my passion and enthusiasm. Students are more concerned with their attendance than actually learning and using English.
Don't get me wrong - it's still a great gig: 4 & 1/2 months vacation, I'll be working 3 days a week this coming semester, which is awesome. I'm saving quite a bit of cash even though my wife doesn't work. It's just that I'm not as invested in my teaching. I'm jaded by student (and management) indifference. It rubs off... |
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