Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Summer Wine]

when you walk into your classroom and there is a row of chairs at the back and some strange women sitting on them and it doesn't faze you one second.

When the first grade teacher explains that its an open class for the mothers and weren't you told and you just say no problem.

When the co-teacher coming into the class during class time to tell you that she's sorry she didn't mention the open class before that day is no problem.

When you couldn't care less what they think of your lesson anyway as you will teach the same thing and the same style of teaching as if there was no one in the classroom other than the students.

When I first started teaching in Korea, having that surprise dropped in my lap would have bothered me. Its really shown me how much I have changed since I first started teaching that it really didn't bother me. I just learnt something about myself today, I have a lot more confidence in myself and my teaching ability now than when I was working in the hagwons or even just a year or two ago.

How have you found yourself changing as a person or teacher since teaching in Korea?

[tanklor1]

[sulperman]

I had basically the exact same experience last week, and it didn't phase me at all. Back in the day I would have been sweating and probably pretty miffed at whoever didn't tell me. But I didn't feel a thing. No anger, nothing.

It's probably largely due to the fact that I am a lot more confident in class than I was back in the day, and rightfully so- I sucked at this teaching at first!

[Summer Wine]

They know they screwed up, as I am just being told now that 5th Grade also has an open class for parents tomorrow. I am guessing this is open class week.

Well, considering I have no books, materials or pretty much anything for teaching and none of the students have any or any kind of structure. I am figuring if I foul up too much, then I have a reason to ask them to create a structured lesson concept for my after school classes.

Or I will find myself unemployed in a month and the new teacher will face the same problems I do. Which is more likely to happen, a teacher gets fired or the education office creates a structured after school program with all the material necessary?

[Countrygirl]

You know you are used to the Korean Education System when....

...you are pleasantly surprised when you are told in advance about anything.
...you wear your Sunday best for the first 2 weeks of school or at least until the picture with the teachers is taken and the main meal with the teachers and Principal is done with.
...you look forward to relaxing at work after a busy weekend.
...you're secretly glad that your worst grade 6 students are afraid of middle school.
...you think teaching in your jacket is normal.
...you know what "The Principal wants to renovate" and "There's not enough money in the budget" really means.

[moosehead]

... you grade the students better than what they deserve

... you learn to ignore the students in the back who dribble and drool and stare aimlessly

... you accept giving homework to 1st grade elementary students but make sure it's extremely simple

[nomad-ish]

You know you are used to the Korean Education System when....

-you just can't bring yourself to wake up those 2 kids at the back who spent all night at a hagwon.
-you no longer flinch at seeing teachers carry around sticks.
-you are not surprised at seeing a student giving a teacher a shoulder massage.

[tsteele]

[Summer Wine]

[tomato]

. . . you emphasize plural and past tense suffixes when speaking to the director.

. . . everywhere you go, you make sure that there is no one behind you.

. . . you find yourself spontaneously singing "Daddy Finger, Daddy Finger."

. . . the hypocritical smile on your face gets stuck.

. . . you introduce yourself to new friends as 선생님.

. . . you are no longer afraid the parents will wake up, realize how little their children are learning, and put your school out of business

[jonpurdy]

[oldfatfarang]

You know you're getting used to the Korean education system when:

- you dream of cancelled classes.
- 30 hours a week desk warming doesn't seem such a waste of time.
- you understand why a Korean teacher is forgiven for their complete cluster ......... when they give everyone a little bottle of juice.
- You understand when they say: "You must understand."
- You understand that "Hard study" means everyone sitting around for hours doing nothing but pretending to study.
- It doesn't seem strangeee when a student desribes their toes as "Foot Fingers, or their teeth as Mouth Fingers."
- You understand the importance of THE TEST (more cancelled classes).
- You know that everything and everyone has a fixed place, i.e., student test scores = student number. Student number = amount of time Korean teacher helps student.
- You know that public school isn't about learning - it's about making the friends who will be your life-long friends (connections to future jobs and
financial security).

[ticktocktocktick]

[Kaypea]

[TheUrbanMyth]