Korean Job Discussion Forums

[iggyb]

As I noted in I, I'm teaching Korean teachers, and a small few of them have had the annoying habit of interrupting me in the middle of an activity to tell me to change it on the fly or do something completely different - seemingly unaware that I've spent a fair amount of time developing the activity and lesson plan and for clear pedagogical reasons - and they seem unaware because, as I was surprised to learn, they don't do lesson plans or unit plans for their own classes...

I also noted that overall, my net experience in this position is good and my students are overall fine.

Today, I'll mention there is one elementary school teacher who has made the conscious decision to be a thorn in my side and rally others to do the same. If she were not here, 75% of the classroom annoyances would disappear for me.

It started when she screamed at me when I refused to change a method I use in a public speaking course last semester...

The change she "suggested" would have taken all the pressure off the speakers ---- which of course would have destroyed one of the primary reasons people take a public speaking course in the first place -- to learn to either overcome your natural fear or mask it.

After I refused to change, and she blew her top, she went on to take petty revenge and lead the class in it.

She started speaking in Korean a lot with multiple students - in class - sometimes about me.

One day, I ask them to speak in English, please. When I turned around, they began whispering - in Korean - and do that a good bit.

One student started covertly taking out a cell phone to text message several times each class --- just like my teen students.

And so on...

The ring leader has always been bad mouthing me to all the other classes.

Now, for the past two to three weeks, the foreign staff has been working our tails off finishing up one semester and starting another, because we have no time between them.

We prepared a syllabus for the semester and lesson plan.

This week, right after the first class with my favorite class and favorite student, this ring leader came into my room with all the others, while I was getting ready for the next class with students already present, and "suggested" that I ----- basically ditch the entire new course, alter the institute's curriculum, and poo-can all the work I've done for the new semester the last three weeks.

She basically said the students wanted free talking...

If you have ever taught Korean adults in hakwons, you'll know exactly what I mean...

The course I was assigned to teach is Debate.

The ring leader said they didn't want to spend time doing very brief research and a formal debate, because soon they would finish this program, and they wanted more time for "authentic" talking without preparation.

By the way, one course they have this semester, according to the set curriculum, with another teacher is: General Conversation.

Just like with other "suggestions" from this group, when I explained why I couldn't just change everything instantly and what the pedagogical reasons were for doing what we're doing, the ring leader quickly fell into typical middle school BS reasoning --- with the idea that if you just keep throwing out "reasons" the other side will cave in and buy you a snowcone....or pony...

After working 10-12 hour days for the past three week, I almost lost my temper with this small group. If students from the next class had not been in there, I probably would have.

The audacity and ignorance of it. And the lack of respect.

To demand basically a "free talking class" and keep harping on it when I'm about to start another class and when I am assigned a course in a set curriculum and have prepared for it --- is --- BS...then using that to get bechim (pissed off) and further bad mouth me --- is even more so...

She is in the minority, but she is able to effectively rally at least the rest of her class behind her with these ridiculous demands and encourage them to act up in class when she doesn't get her way...

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Behold the beta-ajumma.

I'd start treating them like High School students and if they don't like it they can hop it to the admin office. If they are being disrespectful and undermining your right to teach they are hijacking the class.

The ajumma in question doesn't want to be assessed or to have to present. Seems pretty clear-cut to be she is in defensive work avoidance mode. But, it's not her private class and you're being paid to do what you do.

Also, just don't give her shouting any validity. Stuff that. No snow cone lady.

[iggyb]

I should note --- the other foreign staffers who have been here a long time say that this particular crop of Korean teachers is fundamentally different from the others in showing this kind of lack of respect for the program and instructors and being so high maintenance. The Korean administration says the same thing...And again --- overall, I'm happy with the student body as a whole and with how things have progressed. Like in school in America though, a couple of bad apples can hold your attention -- and lead to this kind of common teacher-talk in the workroom....

[jvalmer]

Is this in a hagwon or public school?

[Fishead soup]

Talk to her about language aquisition theory. Use lots' of EFL terms she doesn't understand. Quote people has never heard of. Make her lose face.
It's either her or you.

[ThingsComeAround]

Kick her out of class, or humiliate her in class.

Either she is the master of your domain, or you are

[Fishead soup]

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

The ring leader said they didn't want to spend time doing very brief research and a formal debate, because soon they would finish this program, and they wanted more time for "authentic" talking without preparation.

Or, in other words, she considers herself to have already passed or completed the course and wants the option of ,well, making the class optional.

[Xuanzang]

I pity the NSET that must be her partner come March.

[calicoe]

[detourne_me]

"If you don't like what I am obligated to teach the class, you are free to leave without completing the course requirements."

[lifeinkorea]

If they want free conversation, then I would just give them that. Tell them to talk about whatever they want and have something for yourself to do while they talk.

You could take your lesson and write it on the board so they can see what you prepared. If they don't like what they are talking about they can always engage in "your" lesson.

Also, while you listen to them talk, make notes on the board of their mistakes. Add examples for correction and practice. This way they can "turn off" the conversation and be a part of your lesson.

I had a tough time with Korean adult classes because they all wanted to be in the same class even though they were at completely different levels. One student was so proud of herself because she copied Side by Side pages 3 times. She would then go on and tell the other students how much better she is in English over 3 months than I was with Korean, even though I didn't study Korean.

In Japan, I had a very different experience. Adults like private one to one classes. I try to establish one to one conversation rather than getting them to cooperate as a group. Sometimes they do, and you can get your lesson plan executed. Other times, you have to realize they may not want to do what you planned and change.

[hobakmorinam]

Ugh, I had a job like this. Doesn't matter what you do, some of them are going to not like your class.

Tell them they don't have to come if they don't want. Really, this is the easiest for everyone.

[what the thunder said]

I would try not to get really puffy or angry in front of them, because once you show your anger, they're going to feel even more riled up and justified.

With (sickeningly) sweetness, just inform them politely and openly, "This is a debate class and I really want you guys to learn how to debate. It will make you better teachers for it and it's something that is really prized. I know that you guys want to learn conversation, but there are conversation classes for that specifically. This is debate class, so of course I want you to debate."

If it continues to spiral downhill...you might have to speak to someone higher up. Just show that you are the good teacher who wants what is best for his lil would-be-teacher-students and not an angry, indignant foreigner (I imagine they probably laugh at that type behind his/her back) and that the students are trying to weasel out of their workload. You look dedicated, they look immature and childish.

I hate having to go to war, but if the situation calls for it, killing your enemies with unnerving kindness is always a good technique.

[Netz]

Sorry to hear it Iggy, I worked with a group just like that. It was a 5 month, multi-course program, run at a major University. For all I know, it could be the same place as it sounds identical.

For what it's worth, they had a teacher quit after the first three weeks, I lasted the same amount of time, and the person who followed me made it a month lol. They go through teachers like toilet paper.

I told them all straight up what little whining babies they were, that it was most probably the reason they were not able to teach their own students well (they don't want to study themselves), and quit without notice (told the program director midweek that I was done, and they needed to find someone else). The funny thing is, after all the bitching and moaning, the students themselves actually tried to persuade me to stay when I told them in their Friday classes that they wouldn�t be seeing me again.
Un-freaking-believable.

I personally will never teach teachers again in Korea, and don't recommend it for anyone.

Worst gig ever.

(At least a bad group of children can be dealt with, but adults here are completely impossible)