Korean Job Discussion Forums

[D.D.]

This week I went and got a translator and had some talks with my school principal. It was interesting to get insights to how a person who doesn't speak a word of English views the FT's role in the school.

One thing I really learned is that they have very high expectations for us to get the kids talking. If that does not happen it is the Ft"s fault. They tend to not like to look back at the other aspects of the school that could be contributing to this.

I was given a pat on the back for two students that have learned to speak a lot in one year with me. Then I was told it was my fault that I didn't do that for the rest of the students.

I tried to explain that the students who put in the effort and who were open learned and that was the difference between the good students and the bad ones. I learned that this observation does not over too well.

I also learned that the principals tell each other that their English programs are going very well. So each of the principals shows a good face to each other and pretend all is well. The blame game is also big in Korea. Rather than trying to fix problems in the system or even acknowledging the them they choose to blame individuals. We are the easiest person to pull apart because that means they don't have to look at their system.

With high expectations placed on us and little chance of them wanting to change there is not much we can do.

Until Koreans reach a state of awareness that they can look back and be introspective things won't change.

I not saying I was perfect but I did my best and I realize now that they expect miracles. They are really looking for the magic genie. Reminds me of my patients that wanted me to save them without taking any responsibility for their own healing.

[Fishead soup]

Principals and Vice Principals are pretty useless when it comes to getting reliable feed back. Your co-teacher might have more reliable feedback althought it will be tainted with what they think a foreign teacher should be so far there are two extremes The Dancing monkey edutainers and the Walking tape recorder.

What's really important is you find your own way.