Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Korussian]

My HS told me instead of chair warming during exam time next week that I'll need to go in and proctor exams. I'm the "On the employer's time, so I should be working type", but I'm not sure if it's in my GEPIK contract that I may/should proctor exams.

I'll be happy to come in and make lesson plans and materials and teach any student/class that might want me, but I'd rather not take on the responsibility of proctoring Korean exams, particularly non-English subject ones.

It would be great to get your opinions and experience.

a) Suck it up 'cause it's your job.
b) Suck it up even though it's not your job.
c) Do English teachery things, but don't agree to proctor
d) Other options

Thanks in advance!

*Note: Just in case it's relevant, I signed with the school independently, not from within the GEPIK program

[Yu_Bum_suk]

For midterms most schools use two invigilators so it's not like you have to worry too much about responsibility. I've invigilated by myself and it's been no problem, as long as there's a Korean teacher to make sure I know what needs to be done in terms of distributing and collecting. But then again my school's pretty good and the students know they can't pull shit on me.

If there is a collosal F-up probably that worst that will happen is you won't be asked to do it again.

[cruisemonkey]

a) Suck it up 'cause it's your job.

I've always done it at my school... just like all the K-teachers... and God, it's sooooooo boring!

The good thing is I get to leave at noon on exam days!

[Korussian]

Thanks for your quick input, folks. I just wanted to confirm the exam monitoring request wasn't outlandish, and that I don't have a solid reason not to do it.

Based on your two experiences, I told my handler that I'll do it with no reservations.

If anyone has additional advice, please don't hesitate to add it on.

Cheers!

[marlow]

I wouldn't. You're not able to deal with Korean language requests from students.

[thatwhitegirl]

We do it, but only for the trial/practice exams. For the national exams, we don't even have to come in. We don't even sit in the classrooms (none of the teachers do). Just sit outside, and watch them through the window, read a book, do lesson planning, whatever.

It is boring, but if you've got a book, then it's fine.

[ttompatz]

[schwa]

I've volunteered to invigilate exams -- it was that or just sit at my desk. I've never been expected to do so alone. Theres a boring aspect, sure, but its kind of fun watching your students so serious & wracking their brains for the right answer. Testing is a vital aspect of their schooling, for better or worse, & its interesting to observe them in the throes of it.

I also think the students regard me a little more seriously after they see me watching them take their exams.

[ardis]

I haven't (my school never asks) but I know some other teachers who have. Not that big of a deal.

[jvalmer]

All it is, is just standing around (or sitting) doing nothing. You might be asked to give out new answer sheets, but that's about all.

[Colorado]

I used to to do it when asked. Boring as hell, but no problem really.
Now they've given me the choice of helping out or sitting at my desk. I chose to sit at my desk.

[marckot]

I also work at a high school and I signed with them directly. So we are in the same boat.

My school expects me to proctor during the exams but I am never alone in the class. Check with your school on their proctoring system. Usually during midterms and other national exams there are always two teachers in each classroom at my school. This makes life very easy. I just pull up a chair in the back, get my book out and read for the duration of the exam. Now and again I will put the book down and walk through the class to stay awake. None of the teachers mind and even they admit that exam time is as boring as hell for them.

Again check with your school on their exam system. My school start exams at 9am and we usually finish before 1pm. That means I am free to go home.

Just go to your co-teacher and ask him/her the ins and outs of exam proctoring. It might not be that bad.

[T-dot]

Most likely there will be 3 proctors per class.

1 KT or sometimes 2
1 NT or sometimes none
1 parent (usually a parent of a classroom captain)

[Korussian]

Thanks for the info, guys. I'll check with my wrangler about how the proctoring works at my school, but I fully expect to be asked to chair warm after the exams are done for the day.

One of my co-teachers is behind on his exam-prep with our students, so he swiss-cheesed my schedule. I'm trying not to show up on my wrangler's radar until the end of Thursday, lest he try to find something more "productive" for me to be doing during these newly free periods as well.

[Colorado]

I'll be surprised if they don't send you home after the exams.