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Seul
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 4:57 pm Post subject: Public School: Having to co-teach after not doing it last y |
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SMOE. Just kind of annoyed here after having to co-teach all my classes this year with 6 new co-teachers after teaching 16 of 22 classes solo last year.
Mini vent. This happening to any of you? |
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Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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I heard from other FTs that this is happening to their schools as well, but not mine, yet.  |
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sulperman
Joined: 14 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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I had co-teachers coming to some of my classes last year, but never doing anything, but one is telling me they want me to get them more involved in translating what I do in class (as if they couldn't just go ahead and do that any time in class already). So now I have to explain my lesson plans to six different people so they can translate what I say.
But what the f++k is the point of translating everything I say?? So the kids don't have to listen when I speak in English? I mean, I guess that is what co-teachers are supposed to do, but I couldn't disagree with it more strongly. I mean, I guess if the kids were absolute beginners, then it would be useful, but they are not. Isn't the government trying to get Korean teachers to teach their classes only in English? Then why throw in a bunch of Korean speaking into my pure English class? Why not spend the time training foreign teachers on how to communicate effectively with their classes, rather than making effective English communication unnecessary through translation?
I am extremely clear with my directions, and if a kid or two don't understand, then another kid will explain it for me. It is never, ever, ever a problem. Argh.
Sorry, little rant as well. |
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Cerulean
Joined: 19 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 9:45 pm Post subject: |
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| There's always hope that they may just not show up after a while. |
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ticktocktocktick
Joined: 31 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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| This has happened to me. The only class I taught with a c/t last year was open class. I can't sit on the table at the front now, my flat feet are killing me! |
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Manuel_the_Bandito
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:51 pm Post subject: Re: Public School: Having to co-teach after not doing it la |
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| Seul wrote: |
SMOE. Just kind of annoyed here after having to co-teach all my classes this year with 6 new co-teachers after teaching 16 of 22 classes solo last year.
Mini vent. This happening to any of you? |
Wait a bit ... it's probably just to please some higher-up and after a few weeks will be business as normal. If they come to a class where they're not needed just let them stand at the back until they get tired of it. |
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thoreau
Joined: 21 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 12:55 pm Post subject: |
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| sulperman wrote: |
I had co-teachers coming to some of my classes last year, but never doing anything, but one is telling me they want me to get them more involved in translating what I do in class (as if they couldn't just go ahead and do that any time in class already). So now I have to explain my lesson plans to six different people so they can translate what I say.
But what the f++k is the point of translating everything I say?? So the kids don't have to listen when I speak in English? I mean, I guess that is what co-teachers are supposed to do, but I couldn't disagree with it more strongly. I mean, I guess if the kids were absolute beginners, then it would be useful, but they are not. Isn't the government trying to get Korean teachers to teach their classes only in English? Then why throw in a bunch of Korean speaking into my pure English class? Why not spend the time training foreign teachers on how to communicate effectively with their classes, rather than making effective English communication unnecessary through translation?
I am extremely clear with my directions, and if a kid or two don't understand, then another kid will explain it for me. It is never, ever, ever a problem. Argh.
Sorry, little rant as well. |
You should explain that translating everything is a very bad practice.
If the students know the translation will follow - they may not listen to the English and try to figure things out themselves. They can just relax and wait for the Korean translation.
Instead, its better for the co-teacher to look to you for cues as to whether something needs to be translated. |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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It seems SMOE is really cracking down on schools.
I know a few teachers who have gotten their extra time off taken away, and who are now required to sign in/out of work on a piece of paper everyday.
My head English teacher went to some SMOE meeting, came back and started going on about how SMOE wants all their NSETs follow the contract to the letter. |
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Sector7G
Joined: 24 May 2008
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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| When I taught middle school 2 years ago I had six different co-teachers, and they all left me to myself, as they were thankful to have a free period. But I have heard from other westerners that by law they are actually supposed to be with us at all times - I don't know if that is true or not. I know I prefer to teach alone, but many of my western colleagues complained about it. There were a few times, however, that I would have to go get a co-teacher to help me with some snotty middle school girls, but most of the time I was able to handle it myself. |
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tiger fancini
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Location: Testicles for Eyes
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Sector7G wrote: |
| I have heard from other westerners that by law they are actually supposed to be with us at all times - I don't know if that is true or not. |
I don't know the specifics of the law, but unless you are a qualified, experienced teacher (which we are NOT required to be) with excellent Korean language skills, then it kind of makes sense to have one in the room with you. What they actually do in the room is something that you and they have to sort out between yourselves.
This a massive part of the job of a Foreign English teacher in a public school. You have to work together with Korean English teachers, and decide how your classes will work together. They can sit at the back and do their paperwork, or they can get involved in the class. But they must be present in the room, unless you meet the criteria I outlined above. Personally, I always found that the classes that they got involved in were the most successful and enjoyable for the students.
| Sector7G wrote: |
| There were a few times, however, that I would have to go get a co-teacher to help me with some snotty middle school girls, but most of the time I was able to handle it myself. |
So your lessons get disrupted. A minority of students spoil things for the good students who are actually interested in your lesson. The presence of a Korean teacher in the room, who could have quickly diffused the situation, would have made your lessons flow better. |
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Senior
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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| thoreau wrote: |
| sulperman wrote: |
I had co-teachers coming to some of my classes last year, but never doing anything, but one is telling me they want me to get them more involved in translating what I do in class (as if they couldn't just go ahead and do that any time in class already). So now I have to explain my lesson plans to six different people so they can translate what I say.
But what the f++k is the point of translating everything I say?? So the kids don't have to listen when I speak in English? I mean, I guess that is what co-teachers are supposed to do, but I couldn't disagree with it more strongly. I mean, I guess if the kids were absolute beginners, then it would be useful, but they are not. Isn't the government trying to get Korean teachers to teach their classes only in English? Then why throw in a bunch of Korean speaking into my pure English class? Why not spend the time training foreign teachers on how to communicate effectively with their classes, rather than making effective English communication unnecessary through translation?
I am extremely clear with my directions, and if a kid or two don't understand, then another kid will explain it for me. It is never, ever, ever a problem. Argh.
Sorry, little rant as well. |
You should explain that translating everything is a very bad practice.
If the students know the translation will follow - they may not listen to the English and try to figure things out themselves. They can just relax and wait for the Korean translation.
Instead, its better for the co-teacher to look to you for cues as to whether something needs to be translated. |
This is basically what I do.
I usually get my co-teacher to translate my instructions. This is good because I'm generally terrible at giving instructions, and instructions can be difficult to follow even in your native tongue.
I usually fob off any grammar points to the K teacher, as well. I hate having to work out grammar. |
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Sector7G
Joined: 24 May 2008
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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| tiger fancini wrote: |
I don't know the specifics of the law, but unless you are a qualified, experienced teacher (which we are NOT required to be) with excellent Korean language skills, then it kind of makes sense to have one in the room with you. What they actually do in the room is something that you and they have to sort out between yourselves.
So your lessons get disrupted. A minority of students spoil things for the good students who are actually interested in your lesson. The presence of a Korean teacher in the room, who could have quickly diffused the situation, would have made your lessons flow better. |
Yes, I completely agree. Ideally, a native speaker working in harmony with a Korean co-teacher is the best way, if only to keep order if nothing else. Again, thankfully, my discipline problems were isolated.
But I just remembered a time when we were told a couple days beforehand that one of my classes would be observed by some officials from the local education office. My co-teacher for that class, who had not bothered to even check on me for 3 months, decided to completely choreograph a co-teaching session beforehand to look good for the observers(I was not opposed to this as I was a little nervous about being observed myself). The thing is though is that his plan consisted of him doing about 60% or 70% of the talking. After the class we were summoned to the principal's office for a very serious discussion where it was explained to the the co-teacher that a)I was doing a great job and the school was lucky to have me as some other schools were having problems with their foreign teachers*, and b)he should shut up and let me teach more. My co-teacher took this advice by not returning to my classroom for the remaining six month of the school year.
*This is not a testament to any great teaching skills on my part I think but more to the fact that I try to look and dress the part and that I show up everyday. |
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seoulsteve
Joined: 03 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Does anyone know what happened to the training programs for Korean co-teachers? I'm so sick of starting every f*ing year with a new co-teacher who has no idea how to work with a NSET. Did SMOE just forget about teacher training, or do they just not care? |
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rookieglobetrotter
Joined: 19 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:40 pm Post subject: |
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| seoulsteve wrote: |
| Does anyone know what happened to the training programs for Korean co-teachers? I'm so sick of starting every f*ing year with a new co-teacher who has no idea how to work with a NSET. Did SMOE just forget about teacher training, or do they just not care? |
I am interested too. Better training at the beginning of the year would solve a lot of problems esp for some newbie NETs in newbie schools. Esp some sort of training so that KETs understand our contractual duties/pay AND that we should be treated different from other KETs. Last year, my coteachers found out about my pay and duties AFTER we start working together and that can cause exaggerated rumors/jealousy/resentment that spiraled the whole year. Thankfully this year my coworkers seem more friendly and less intrusive so far.
Otherwise, every year will be like throwing new NETs/KETs in the pot without a recipe or plan of action. |
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