Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ut videam]

A colleague of mine at our university is being put into an uncomfortable situation. He teaches a listening lab course to some of the freshmen for one hour a week. The lab class comprises part of their overall grade for Freshman English along with conversation (3 hours) and grammar (2 hours).

A couple weeks ago, it was mentioned to him that a sophomore student who had failed freshman English needed to take the lab class, but had a scheduling conflict and couldn't attend at the scheduled time. Over the course of ensuing conversations, it came to light that our boss wants our colleague to work with this student one-on-one to prepare him to take the course exams (midterm and final). My colleague, understandably, is opposed to the idea.

The problems we see with this situation are these:

• Schedule: Presenting the lessons to this student privately at another time during the week is an unfair burden: it will be time-consuming and far more involved than the usual consultations that take place during office hours. If he is to be taught individually, it should be considered an additional teaching hour, added to the teacher's schedule and paid accordingly.
  
  
• Course material: Because the listening material is used for exams as well, giving the student the listening selections (tapes) to study on his own is not an option. They could be shared with the other students, and this would compromise the integrity of the course and exams. There is supplemental material available from the textbook publisher which he is free to use for self-study. This material is similar to the material covered in class, but not exactly the same.
  
  
• Evaluation: The course grade for the listening lab is not only comprised of exams, but also includes in-class quizzes and participation. When can the student take the quizzes? Is there an expectation that the quizzes should be given privately? If so, it once again presents an unfair burden. Also, how can a participation grade be determined for a student who cannot participate in the class?

Are my colleagues and I completely off base for thinking this way? How would you handle this situation?

[Tobias]

If he's contracted to teach a certain amount of hours each week, he has no leg to stand on if he's currently scheduled to do one hour or more below that amount. He is obligated to give this student special treatment. As far as materials go, he'd simply use the same materials (tapes and perhaps text/handouts) the freshmen are using. The participation component applies to the in-class portion. The student has already passed this portion, so it's not factored in. Integrity wouldn't be compromised, as the student wouldn't be given the tapes to take outside the lab. If the student shows up and practices diligently for an hour, said student passes. No problem. How does one 'grade' speaking ability anyway? How is consistency maintained from term to term? The questions are legion.

Sounds like it'll be an easy hour each week. He should be a professional and do it. He'd be giving the student the same lesson he gives the freshmen, so what's the problem?

[postfundie]

[Ut videam]

I guess I should clarify: the colleague in question, like all of us, is already teaching two hours over a full load (which, at 18 hours, is pretty hefty to begin with as university schedules go).

It may be an easy hour, but it's considerably more involved than an office hour. On the plus side, it wouldn't be an additional prep for him, but it would be an extra hour each week in the language lab (or playing tapes for the student and asking him questions in his office, which would amount to the same thing).

Not sure where Tobias is getting that the student passed any portion of the class. He failed the second semester of freshman English. He's also retaking the conversation and grammar classes, as they do fit into his schedule. The sticking point is the listening lab course, which conflicts with one of the required courses for his major.

[jellobean]

Extra hour = Extra class = Overtime = Extra Pay

If this is through the university in the teacher's office, it is not an illegal private. There is no reason why the university shouldn't be able to charge the student. Perhaps less than the normal overtime rate, but some compensation should be had for the teacher. Even if it is only 10,000 won per hour (ie for the "extra work" beyond the effort needed for a regular office hour) as a token amount. When a student where I work fails and can't fit it in the schedule later, they end up forking out 150,000 won to take the required class during summer or winter break. The student screwed up, sometimes there are consequences for screwing up. Working extra for no extra pay is a slippery slope. The issue is getting all (or most) of the foreign teachers to stand behind your colleague who says "no."

[Tobias]

[quote="Ut videam"]....
Not sure where Tobias is getting that the student passed any portion of the class. He failed the second semester of freshman English. He's also retaking the conversation and grammar classes, as they do fit into his schedule. The sticking point is the listening lab course, which conflicts with one of the required courses for his major.[/quote]

Damned if I know where I got it. My bad there. It's been a busy Monday and Tuesday combined.

If the guy is already teaching more than his allotted (contracted) hours, then he really needs to look at this with a skeptical eye. I probably wouldn't do it. Next thing ya know, the one student getting special treatment will be ten students wanting special treatment.

I agree with Bean. If he does do this, he needs some extra coin. And it should be taken directly from the student's pocket.

[Ut videam]

Whether or not the student has to pay an additional fee to repeat a course is a matter for the administration. I don't think it should concern the teacher.

The department is asking the teacher to set aside additional time to teach this student so the student can make up his failure. In essence, they're adding an additional section�a section consisting of one student�of a course he's already teaching.

If his course load was under the contractual full time load, there'd be no question�he'd have to do it. But seeing as he's already on overload, my position is that he should be compensated at the contractual overtime rate. Again, I contend that they're adding a section to his course load, and it should be scheduled and compensated as such.

[ttompatz]

Time to do the simple thing... they want a favor... what are they willing to do in return?

If the answer is nothing, then suggest that the student un-conflict his schedule and take the listening lab at the scheduled time and the OTHER teacher can give private lessons on his OTHER course.

It is NOT the English lab teacher's fault that the student failed his course and needs to repeat it.

The student made the mess, it is the student's responsibility to live with the consequences of said mess.

IF the answer is they will do "something suitable" - perhaps additional paid time off in lieu then get on with it. Dig out your interpersonal and negotiating skills or live with it quietly because Korean's as a rule do NOT repay favors unless they know in advance they are OBLIGATED to repay it and what the repayment is.

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