Korean Job Discussion Forums

Lorilou · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: Osan

I've been teaching 4-11yo at a hagwon for the last month. This is my first time in Korea, and I have zero previous teaching experience. I had my first evaluation yesterday and my principal told me I'm not making enough progress, and am not doing as well after a month as my predecessor, whom they also paid to send to a week of training before she started. I don't get any training though, because the school can't afford it. My principal also said that parents are so unhappy with me that they are threatening to pull their kids out of the school. Now, I may be new to teaching, but I can't imagine what I've done in one month that is so bad as to warrant parents pulling their kids out of school! I personally feel like I'm improving every day.

I have no idea what exactly I'm doing wrong-- my principal speaks very broken english, and has told me that I'm a.) not loud enough, b.) too strict, and c.) don't have control of the classroom (which to me seems to go against complaint b). There is also very little curriculum to follow, and having never seen how they teach a class, I don't know what sort of structure they expect me to follow (I've asked, but they don't really understand what I'm asking). The kids seem to be having a good time, except the older ones. But that's due more to the boring curriculum the school is making me follow.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Any advice? I'm also worried that this is a sign that my boss will get worse. She and my predecessor were extremely close, and I know she liked the job. However, my boss seems to have not really warmed up to me in general, and I'm worried I'll find myself without a job and having to foot my own airfare back to the states.

ReeseDog · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Location: Classified

1. Proper grip.

2. Thumb the clip.

3. Twist-pull pin.

You know the rest...

son of coco · Joined: 14 Mar 2008

It's hard to say really, but your school may be making you a scapegoat in some way for students leaving...and I think they're expectations of you might be unnaturally high (i.e: they seem to expect you to start where the last teacher left off after 12 months teaching experience in Korea).

It's unfair, but I guess all you can do is your best in this situation. If they're honestly expecting you to be as good as the last teacher with no training and 11 months less experience then they're kidding themselves. Unfortunately, in some cases, you bear the brunt of their decision to hire people who may or may not have prior experience. An adequate training program would go some way to avoiding 'teething problems' when a new teacher starts, but it doesn't happen in most cases.

I was in a similar situation at the public school I taught at (minus the firing part, as they're reluctant to do so unless you're totally hopeless I think), and it's stressful as you're trying your best but get no help or direction when you first arrive.

I hope things work out ok, doesn't sound like I'd be holding my breath for help from the management though.

son of coco · Joined: 14 Mar 2008

Lorilou · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: Osan

Thanks for the advice. I'm the first to admit if I'm not good at something, but in this case I really did feel like their expectations are too high. It helps to get a little validation.

And I agree ReeseDog, great avatar. It made my day just a little brighter Laughing

ReeseDog · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Location: Classified

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

She's probably trying to motivate you. Most Hagwon bosses are clueless about managing employees, so they abuse you and think that you will try to do better. It never worked with me either. I just got depressed and angry.

If you can, try to pin her down to her actual complaint. Often, they will sandwich the one thing that is wrong between a bunch of vague and abusive layers of crapola....maybe she just wants you to quit playing UNO on Fridays...or something like that.

tomato · Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 1:04 pm Post subject:

The public school teachers are all on break right now.
Tell us where you live, and maybe an experienced public school teacher
who lives close enough could observe your class and give you some feedback.

You can't trust me, though, because I'm job-hunting right now.

Lorilou · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: Osan

Illysook, maybe you're right in that she's tryng to motivate me. I don't trust her managerial skills-- she only has the job because her mother owns the school and (as she will actually admit) she couldn't be a teacher because she's too impatient.

Tomato-- I'm in Incheon, but am also on vacation for the next week. If there is any teacher who would be willing to come observe after that, I would be eternally grateful.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

I live in Incheon. I am not great with the young ones (1st graders), but I have taught for 6 years and I seem to get along well with the older students.

Feel free to PM

rookieglobetrotter · Joined: 19 Dec 2008

I am in a similar situation at a PS, and looking for answers as well. It depends on the situation, but for me it seems they criticized my teaching for a lot of non-teaching reasons.

I'd advised to do the best job you can teaching and meeting what they ask of you. Also try to work equally hard at meeting the "unwritten laws". If I was to do my year here again, I would make more of an effort to let the staff her know me (not just the kids). I would buy more presents and try to fit in with the people in the office. It doesn't make sense here, but if you didn't fit in with the harmony in the office or do as Korean teachers do (like never take a sick day) - they can call you a Terrible Teacher because of it.

I feel for you though since many of us are in similar situations. Its hard to know what to do when they can't directly convey what they need for us to improve.

conrad2 · Joined: 05 Nov 2009

Its not your fault. The school hired a teacher with zero experience and this is the result.

seonsengnimble · Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 7:11 pm Post subject:

tomato · Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject:

Rookie Globetrotter, I think you're right.
Have you seen this thread?

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=173775&highlight=

I'm getting canned in March, and I think this thread explains why.
Too bad I didn't see the thread a year earlier.

Lorilou · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: Osan

Sorry to hear you're going through something similar rookieglobetrotter. You give some good advice. I think you're right that I need to socialize more, and bs with the principal and co-teacher more. Hope everything works out for you.