Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Illysook]

I've been here for about three months and while I'm not at the worst sort of Hagwon, it is out in the middle of nowhere and I feel like I just don't fit. My boss doesn't seem to think that I prepare enough for my classes, but she knew that I was a first time teacher when she hired me and has not given me one bit of guidance as to how to manage this task. My classroom management skills are negligable too and whenever I need help, I get to feel like a complete failure. Then, sometimes when my classes are actually going well, I see her walk by and look in the windows with a rather sour expression on her face. It's got me thinking about looking for another job...maybe one that is closer to civilization.

How much more time should I give this?

[dean_burrito]

I was in the same situation last year. My advice is ignore the dirty looks ( they could be directed at the kids anyways) and do what feels best for you in the class. If I did it for a year you can to.
And whatever you do don't be afraid to say "get out!" The hagwon owners don't want the kids going home saying they didn't get to have English class.
Don't forget to praise them either with cheap crap. Have you ever seen what a Korean kid will do to get a sticker? The will read, they will write, they will talk in English.
So in short,
1. Say "get out!"
2. Give stickers.

[Tobias]

You're still there? Somebody at your digs doesn't know how valuable having a white face at a school really is. In my early days, I would have been out the door by now, but that's just me. In my later days, I wouldn't have gone to work at a place like this to begin with. We all live and learn.

Good luck.

[English Matt]

Re: classroom management - have you tried using any commands / requests in Korean. I work in a Public School and trying to get all 40 kids to quieten down after they got into a task or found something funny was a real headache to begin with.

I soon found that the difference between asking them to be quiet in English and saying 'Jo youngee hasaeyo' was immense. Also, if you see one of the kids smacking another in the arm or doing anything that you want them to stop doing, try saying 'hajee mah saeyo'. These are the really polite ways of asking them to be quiet and stop doing something and seems to shame them into following your instructions.

Also, definitely try not to raise your voice and cultivate a look that is somewhere in between 'I'm disappointed in you' and 'Die, die now.' Raising your voice will make them ignore you just to spite you.

Re: Prep - I've included a link below to a sample lesson plan produced by a GEPIK teacher called Darlence Delorme (one of the better speakers at GEPIK orientations). She has taught in Korea for something like 5 years and was a teacher in Canada prior to that. Her sample lesson plan might not be the simplest but it gives you an idea of what to include. I tend not to use lesson plans now, but when you are still feeling your way they can be invaluable - they give you a structure to follow in class, and when the kids can see that you are in control and that the lesson is well structured then they will feel less able to take the piss (doesn't mean they won't still try).

And yup, rewarding the good students for work well done does work. Also, learn and use the well behaved students names. Just call the other ones by generic labels, chap, guy, dude, whatever.

http://www.globalcampusjob.com/new/resources/571

[joshuahirtle27]

[jadarite]

[Skippy]

Give it back to them! If someone is giving you (**) give it right back. They think you are not good enough. Ask them what they want! Get them talking. Agree to what you can and ask for help. Careful of agreeing to all points they want. If the do step into the trap of "let me show you how it is done" - then for any little time you have trouble you can go get the expert. Do that often - getting them in for every little and big problems will soon get them out of you hair. Actually the more I think about it then next time the teacher is looking in - invite her in. Your goal is to get the students attention on her. If she is lurking around the entrance slow step back till you are near the side of the class. Speak a little lower so the expert has to come in and in front of the board. Put the book in her hand as if you are going to show her something and leave her holding it. Next ask her to show you what to do or go to the bathroom quickly. Get the students to look at her and concentrate on her.

But if the school continues to be moody - give them the hint of you want to leave You are OK in that your school is in a middle of nowhere situation - because that means replacing you will not be easy like in a city. Comment often that your friend's hagwon in a nearby city school is having so much difficulty in getting a new teacher. Comment on the price of plane tickets - continue on with the exchange rate and people not wanting to teach in such a bad economy and another school had such a great teacher lined up to teach but it went down due to a simple DUI on a criminal record check . Your goal is for them to think that getting a new teacher will be so hard, expensive and nerve wrecking that losing you would be the dumb-ass move of the year. Warning about the above move - some owners are so oblivious or so stupid this may not work.

Good luck with your school lets hope they learn to appreciate you.

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

I think you do fit in. I think a lot of us feel the same as you.

[English Matt]

If you do decide to get out, just be aware that they can jerk you around a lot - they might try and screw you out of your last month's pay, refuse to give you a letter of release.

In that case try and get a job with a Public School - as you will be applying to work for a government body, there will be no probs with getting your existing visa cancelled, and you will have the cost of the visa run to Japan (flight only) refunded to you after you start work. Also, the fact that you will be sticking around in country and working for the government may persuade your existing employer to cough up any funds they are trying to hold back from you.

At a PS you will also not have to deal with somebody giving you crap about your lessons, you will have a Korean teacher in class dealing with any discipline issues, and because the students are at 'their' school they are less likely to give you crap as they will be worried about the repercussions of such actions once their homeroom teacher is informed of their behaviour.