Korean Job Discussion Forums

[calicoe]

I have been teaching at a public middle school for 8 months now. Compared to many of the horror stories I heard hear, I considered myself very lucky. Nice facilities, warm and generous Korean teachers (always smiling and trying to be helpful - most of the teachers, not just my co-teachers) and generally easy-going VP. The principal is another story, but so far he hasn't really wreaked havoc.

And then of course, the 6-month honeymoon period wore off. I am definitely not perfect by any strech of the imagination, but I had a very stellar attitude for the first 6 months and overlooked a lot, or gave it the benefit of the doubt. Well, things are starting to get to me. I know I still have a good situation compared to many, but I struggle to interpret some actions. I seek your feedback and perspective here.

Here's the latest:

My co-teacher had a demo class today. She was evaluated by older teachers at the school. She asked me for help with her PPP, and I gave her some nice frames she could use. She also asked me to attend, and said she would just ask me some questions to which I should just answer. I was pleasantly surprised to see that she used many aspects of my techniques and style. I also picked up some techniques from watching her today.

I always model pleasant and light-hearted dialogue between her and myself in front of the class. I thought she would do the same. Instead, she called me up to the front of the class, and with tapes rolling, asked me a string of questions from the book, which she then concluded with her own: "... but, can you speak Korean?", which she knows I cannot as of yet (I just started classes becase it took me this long to find a teacher in my small town).

She then states with a stern face and in what seemed to be an out-of character, condescending tone that I should "do so fastly." I usually just swallow stuff and chalk it up to cultural differences, and I just played along then because tape was rolling and it was in front of the class, but I left right after the class and didn't hang around to talk to her like the other Korean teachers. Later at lunch, I was distant and quiet and she sensed something was up, but probably chalked it up to me being a foreigner.

The problem is, I felt offended. I felt like it was a racist thing to do and I was used like a trained monkey, and for her to score cheap nationalist points with her school. I felt it was a cheap shot. I would never talk down to her like that or correct her English grammar in front of students in a similar gesture. I feel like everything is so nice and sweet until they need to score points somehow with the administration, and then they just throw you under the bus of nationalist posturing.

Am I overreacting, or was this indicative of an attitude?

I need to add that after just my first 4 months here, this same sweet, friendly teacher told me to write a story about my life in Korea for publication in a district book, for which she also had to contribute and told me she would write about her former NT, but ended up writing about me in Korean about how I was too strict. This was published so that the whole DOE would see it. I was simply trying to teach and not have the kids talk when I was talking, that's it.

What do you think now?

[Xuanzang]

Second one. She already lied right to your face.

[bundangbabo]

I find that peace of mind is best attained when the co-teacher starts stupid shit like that - you let her know - brooding quietly and not voicing your annoyance at her childish behaviour is just an invitation for her to do it again and again...

Tell her Monday 'I didn't appreciate your behaviour at the demo lesson - what was all that about?' - do not let her off the hook either - let her squirm and stutter with her BS excuses and the next time she does it - call her up on it and continue in this vein until she ceases to act like a juvenile imbecile - or better still - PM FTUK for a few tips! The man is a God at co-teacher slaying!

[D.D.]

They are scared of change and wish their langauge was as popular as ours. I can understand as I would have been pissed if French took over. I have been getting this energy from them as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvE4xfm0UGk

Don't worry they do it to themselves as well.

[okokok]

Without reading.......... I'm gonna go out on a limb and say 'vicious back-stabber'.

[fromtheuk]

Steady on Bundangbabo old chap! I'm quite good at defeating co-teachers, but I am only human.

Bundangbabo is right about my co-teacher 'slaying', but I don't intend to repeat those experiences again.

Your school's decision to renew your contract will be based on your co-teacher's opinion. If you address this issue head on, she may use it as an excuse to lose it, cause a scene, and inform the Principal of your 'bad attitude' and 'lack of respect for Korean culture'.

I would grin and bear it, and make sure you get a good reference from her. Pretend you are as dumb as she thinks you are, and chuckle at her in your spare time.

[Johnny_Bravo]

If I were you..

I would have corrected fastly in front of everyone there and then ask why in the age of the "global citizen" that Korea is so BIG on, should I waste my time learning Korean when there are at least a dozen languages that would be vastly more practical and make you a better GLOBAL CITIZEN?

if you accept getting pissed on, you will get pissed on.

[Boodleheimer]

she's evil.

don't pretend to be dumb. play the emotion card: 'i felt so bad after you said that to me' or 'you must understand my situation' or whatever. tear up if you can to embarrass the ****.

[chris_J2]

Many Korean coteachers smile sweetly, as they twist the knife.

Seek a written reference from both the VP & Principal, & try bypassing your coteacher altogether. Make sure any reference has the PHONE Numbers of the VP & Principal on it. And fwd a copy to your local POE. Koreans don't do email correspondence very well. I'd apply for a reference, just after the summer break vacation, when you will be missed & perhaps appreciated? As a last resort, threaten 30-60 days notice, depending on your contract, & see if that changes their attitude. Document your complaints carefully & truthfully in the resignation letter.

I empathise, as I was in a similar predicament.

[The Gipkik]

Nah, she's not evil. Let's face it, she has priorities. When she is being observed, she has her peers, colleagues and superiors to think about and ingratiate. Don't take it personally. What you should do is tell other teachers who speak English at the school how you feel. During an open class, I had the previous year's English teacher, not my co-teacher, teach with me. I guess they thought she would do the textbook more "perfectly." Anyways, I told my coteachers (I have two) what I felt about it. I said: "I felt silly. I just felt why bring a native English speaker to the school and make me feel so unnecessary. I really wasn't needed."

I knew this message would be passed along--and it was. The demo teacher's behaviour toward me cooled off. Before,she had been quite talkative and engaging, suddenly it became terse hello's and goodbye's. I let it ride and a month and a half later she has gotten all friendly again. I really believe in a cooling off period for some sensitive cases. I also believe that when a problem arises, deal with it immediately and judiciously.

[Boodleheimer]

[The Gipkik]

My coteacher is brusque and occasionally annoying, but I wouldn't for a minute think she is some evil, manipulative creature. I perfectly understand how important it is to please the superiors here. They were brought up in a society where hierarchy is god. Egalitarianism? Don't make me laugh. All I can say again is to not take it personally. And as for a NET being a short term means to an end. Sure, why not. It's almost always true. If a NET doesn't want it to be true then they should be developing relationships. It's almost always about emotional intelligence.

[calicoe]

I appreciate the genuine feedback here. I sought advice because I am genuinely trying to work this one out. I have followed Gipik's approach for several months now and definitely see its merits, but I now also believe that there is another side to it. Anyway, I came here to get different perspectives, which has been helpful.

[Johnny_Bravo]

[Robot_Teacher]

It's the sweetest acting in a phony way(whatsamacallthat?), but best English speaking co-teacher you got to watch out for. 2 faced face saving typical humans batting unexpected smart left curve balls on you. I'm quite frustrated with my version of OP's co-teacher. Mind games, switcheroos, intentional lack of communication, saying the opposite of what should be said(whatsamacallthat?), and ensuring unplanned disorganization.