Korean Job Discussion Forums

[proustme]

I work at a public school. I got this from the last principal and, today, the new one.

The thing is, I talk to my students wherever and whenever I see them! I ask them how they're doing, where they're going ("I go to math class"), and what they want to learn about my country (U.S.) in my class. And I translate these things into lessons and presentations about culture, teenage life, etc.

As for the teachers, I'm genuine and say hello and have good relationships with all of the KETs here. Sure, it's difficult to talk more to the Korean teachers who don't speak English. I don't speak Korean, of course. However, I'm as cordial to them as they are to me.

Hearing this from the principal really brings me down. It seems he thinks I'm mute except for when I'm teaching. I wonder if he asked just a few students if I talk to them, not realizing that I teach 800+ students.

What I really want to say is: "HEY! How about more of our school's Korean English teachers ACTUALLY speaking English to our students??"

[lifeinkorea]

I think it's just maybe one parent or so didn't see you say hi to their child and they had to complain to the school about it.

Principals don't get involved at the NET level. They leave that up for the head English teacher and co-teacher to manage. Just continue what you are doing if you feel it is enough.

[Fishead soup]

I've had this before. I think I agree with the above poster. Sometimes students will expect you to notice them even when they are on the streets and not wearing their Uniform. Whenever I see what appears to be a Middle school student on the street I make eye contact if they start laughting then she/he is one of your school students just say hi. If it's a student who contributes a lot in class try to spark up a simple conversation like" Where are you going?" What are you doing"? It may seem like a pain in arse on Sauturday afternoon but it can help prevent what happened.

Now that this has happened try to make the Principle see that you are making every effort to communicate with your students at every available opportunity. When they are walking in the halls ask them just simple questions also vary your questions. So you are not always asking the same questions to all the students. Eventially you should get students coming to your desk at break time. This is really when you do your best teaching. These students can also be your allies in the classroom dealing with computer problems and Classroom management problems Translating difficult materials

[Some of the Mothers Said]

Oh, don't let it worry you.
It's called the "Isaac" syndrome.
Some Korean's (especially Principals) have seen Isaac on KBS TV, and think he's the template for all other English teachers in Korea. Isaac is very bubbly, enthusiastic, and exuberant. He would also get paid a crap load of money for being that way.
I don't know Isaac, (see the picture below), and have nothing against him. He may be a great guy. I don't even know if he still works in Korea.
http://theyangpa.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/0811.jpg
What I suggest is that you pump up the volume when you speak for a while.
Remember you may be used as a scape goat for others who cannot get their heads around English, so it may have nothing to do with you at all. For example:

Principle: "Ms. Kim, how's your Engrish these days?"
Ms. Kim: "Oh, not so good."
Principle: "But we have native speaker? Don't you talk with it?"
Ms. Kim: (not knowing what to say replies) "Oh the Native speaker bery quiet."
Principle: "Oh, I will tell it to talk more! Just like Isaac!"

It might go something like that! You get the idea.
Good luck.

[blackjack]

[runthegauntlet]

[lifeinkorea]

Have students say something in English to the principal. Do it constantly, eventually the principal will get sick of it and regret writing you that letter.

Better yet, combine that with break time. Have students bug the principal during their break

[DosEquisXX]

I went from talking with my students after school, to saying a phrase here and there and now I just say hello to them. There are obvious exceptions (mostly with the smart kids), but otherwise they only know a few sentences and I can't say much to them.

[asylum seeker]

You are a 24 hour English-speaking machine. If all the Korean teachers don't become fluent during your time there you're doing something wrong.

[rookieglobetrotter]

proust, I'm not going to say a lot on this subject because I've talked it to death (my thread about getting a 0 in my eval) and I only have a few minutes before teaching this next class, but work culture is probably more important than teaching ability in some schools (mostly the traditional one).

I kept my head down, was cordial, did more than my share of work, and followed my contract. I am trying to teach in another ps near my gf next year, and found out my (1) coteacher gave me a 0 and very negative eval for prospective employers who called her. Long story short, the fact that I didnt fit in or BS with all the other staff, etc is making it difficult for me to find another PS job. I am really banking on the one offer I have near my gf, but I prob would be put on probation because of the eval.

So learning from my own mistake, in my next job I will buy the emart oranges, fraternize more, buy gifts, talk at lunch, talk to the kids more in front of the principal all that pizzazz because its not a teacher's market anymore and newbie NETs dont have as much power as we used to.

It depends on your situation, but if you school is like mine, I'm just telling you what I would do if I had another go and probably a lot less stress/probs these last couple months. Best of luck.

[Fox]

[soakitincider]

Remember you're an actor as much if not more than a teacher. Be agreeable, and happy. Kids pick up on that. Stick with the youngsters when possible. (1st-6th grades) They grow up fast here and discipline is alive and well. Back in the states they'd throw me in jail for the whuppings some of these kids tell me about. But then look at what happened to the education level of kids in the states when they took discipline out of the schools. I graduated in 1975. (yeah, older than dirt) But I remember the "board of education" vividly. It was grab the ankles and take 4 or 5 or we call the folks. I took the swats. Hell, the folks hit harder! There is a line between discipline and abuse. Talk to anyone in the military. Played that game, too. Uncle Sam knocked ALL the punk out of me. I talk to servicepeople today and they say discipline is gone there, too. Can't even YELL at em'. HUH? They don't want to hurt anybodies feelings and/or cause them not to re-up. Geesh, I'm getting nauseous. Out

[DosEquisXX]

[Freeghen]

[Freeghen]