Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yu_Bum_suk]

It's that time of year when it's hot but not hot enough for the school to turn on the A/C in the classrooms, so it's doors and windows open and hope for some breeze. Of course this gives passers-by a better perspective on what's really going on - as well as what's not happening in certain classrooms. I've walked by the multimedia room a number of times lately and I'd have to say computer class looks like by far the biggest non-learning environment at school. Everyone's computer monitor shows something different, roughly half video games and the other half web-browsing. Sometimes the computer teacher is speaking into a mic and other times just sitting at the front desk. I guess that if the students are at school 12-14 hours a day it doesn't hurt for them to have 50 minutes to use the Net for a while, but I sure wouldn't call what goes on in there a 'lesson'.

What about at your school?

[cruisemonkey]

And all along, I thought it was... English.

[Smee]

PE Class.

There are times when I feel like a worthless teacher because sometimes the students goof around, aren't focused, aren't interested in doing anything. But my worst days are still more organized and focused than what seems to be going on in PE class.

All the classes---there are 3 PE teachers---are outside at once. A group of students are sitting on the steps, some of the girls are sitting under the pavillions, and about 30 boys are playing soccer. Well, maybe half of the boys are actually playing because it's a 70-yard field but all the action happens around the one goal. Some students are running laps, some are doing sprints, and some are playing dodge ball. One of the teachers is reffing the soccer game, one is timing the sprints, and one is teaching a dozen girls how to throw a soccer ball overhand.

Now, I know that students don't have much athletic ability because they spend all their time at hagwon or playing computer games, but it's only been a few years since they played soccer every day at recess.

Maybe they only do this when I happen to look outside, but this seems to be the set up at both my schools, several days a week. I don't get it.

[D.D.]

Many times I have walked past the drama class and the teacher is sleeping in his chair. That is always with about 20 minutes left in the class.

[JJJ]