Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wjf1]

I came to Korea a couple of weeks ago. I like the country, my coworkers are friendly and the food is pretty good. On Monday, however, I started teaching.

My lesson plans are fine, I know how to use the board and I do plenty of monitoring. The problem is my personality. I am a naturally introverted person; most of my time is spent on quiet reflection. I'm not very good at building instant rapport.

Another problem is my avoidance of confrontation; I rarely shout at people. Instead I prefer to give them a gentle nudge in the right direction. Unfortunately some of my classes are now getting out of hand with children talking Korean, ignoring my instructions and pretty much doing whatever they want.

Each day has been a real struggle so far and I've been suffering from constant doubts. Can I make this work? Did I make a mistake coming here? I'm hoping I can learn to make my lessons more fun/interesting and instill some discipline in the classroom. I'd hate my teaching life to be constant misery.

Did anyone find their first week a real struggle? The other teachers at my campus seem to have taken to teaching like ducks to water. Was there anyone in my position who managed to turn things around?

[Kaypea]

Welcome to teaching!

Us introspective types are more likely to self-criticise, which makes something like teaching English to reluctant young learners initially very difficult, but in the long run, if we really learn from what *didn't* work, we might become really good at it.

Talk to your coworkers who are feeling more confident. Ask what they're doing, and try doing it. Pretend you're them. Divorce your ego and act.

I think you're doing well to err on the side of gentleness, because you don't want to become the "scary teacher"... but to speak from personal experience, you gotta make the students do what they're supposed to, or they're really gonna p*ss you off and you might give in to the temptation to be "scary teacher". If you can force yourself to engage with the students, even if you feel shy, control is easier. They're more apt to listen to you, instead of conspiring to drive you completely nuts (if they can, they will...)

You can't control everything in the classroom, but you can engage with the students without being really outgoing or a clown type.

I'm not really an expert, but I hope I'm learning... I want to see more advice from others, so I'm offering my observations to keep the thread rolling.

[northway]

Not saying you don't have it, but not everyone is made for teaching. Just saying.

[schwa]

Dont draw too much conclusion from just one week.

However, teaching does require some assertiveness. The kids, as you've learned, arent going to go out of their way to accommodate a shrinking violet.

Dont even think about shouting -- that concedes defeat. But it sounds like you need to consciously amp up your speaking & confidence. Reflect on that. Teaching calls on your inner actor. Think of this as a chance to redefine yourself.

Best luck, sincerely.

[fugitive chicken]

I'm introverted too and not at all intimidating, and had the same problem throughout my teaching career....certified teacher, and subbed for a year before coming here. I've discovered it's really your attitude. What's helped me over the years is realizing I didn't feel like I owned the class. "It belongs to my master teacher/the regular teacher/my co-teacher" and so on.

Next week, walk in like you own it. These are YOUR students, your desks, your chairs, your whiteboard. Be intimidating, make sure that their behaviors have consequences. They will act up to test your boundaries and each time they break through one boundary they progressively test more and more boundaries until they get out of hand. Make sure you have given yourself a very clear line between what is allowed in your classroom and what isn't and make sure the students know what that line is. Remember, it's YOUR class and your rules and anyone who breaks those rules no matter how minor it seems need to be redirected.

I know how you feel and its taken me far longer than a week to figure this out and I'm still working some of my weak areas. Don't worry, you're not alone!

[Space Cowboy]

[passport220]

wjf1: Yeah, I really hated my first few weeks of teaching, F'ing hated it! My problem as a new teacher was coming up with appropriate level lessons (mine were too difficult for the students at first). In the end it started to work itself out and I was very happy in Korea.

Be the best teacher that YOU can, and don't try to imitate some kind of ideal teacher. The fact that you are worried about how you are doing, that you want to learn and improve leads me to think you will be fine.

There are plenty of Korean teachers with introverted personalizes, just be earnest and do your best, it is not a deal breaker. The students will pick up that you are trying to help them improve their English, and adapt to learning from you. Korean students and fellow teachers can be a pill, but they are not evil, they will accept you for who you are as a sincere teacher.

[discostu333]

Think of this as a challenge, and a way out of your shyness.

Reflect on your mistakes and move forward, instead of getting bogged down in self-criticism.

Take advice from co-workers with experience. Read books on teaching / articles on teaching online.

Whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

[PatrickGHBusan]

Nearly everyone finds the first week (s) a struggle OP....

[verloc]

[iwillteachyouenglish]

Brother if you are not assertive people will walk all over you in this world. Kids are just the fastest at detecting weakness. Shouting is a sign that you are not confident in your ability to contain the situation.

You have to go full mental ninja. Clint Eastwood did not shout, did he? No, he did not. He said, "Go a head punk.. make my day".

[oldfatfarang]

Don't worry OP. We all had these fears (and some of us still get them occassionally). You will be a good teacher if you want to be. Everyone has a different approach. You need a different approach for teaching different levels, different genders, and different schools/locations. Only experience will help you in this regard.

Some hints: be positive, show the kids that you're here to help them. Don't take any slacking - don't punish (ever) but encourage. Make a safe, happy learning environment and the kids will warm to you - and want to learn from you.

Just know this, there will always be a problem kid, a problem class. These are teachers' 'spirit breakers'. We all have had them, have them now, and will have them in the future. Don't let these students/classes divert you from your goal.

Good luck. The pay's not good, but the rewards can be tremendous - especially in your first few years.

[winterfall]

As long as you hang on and don't quit like all those runner's than you'll be fine. I'm not saying running is bad per se. But you should really try to stick it out unless its completely unbearable. Like eating just kimchi for breakfest cause your school hasn't paid you for 5 months.

My first yr of teaching w/o experience was in one of the worst technical schools in Korea without all of that fancy digital stuff. Took me almost 6 months before I had any idea what I was doing. You wouldn't believe how low they are. And we're not exactly trained for this sort of thing either. But like I said, if you hang on it DOES get easier. (I actually renewed )

Self doubt is a good thing. It means you care. And that's the most important thing. That's what 'll keep you going on the hard days. And motivate you to always try something new. Because if your only thinking about the money, you REALLY don't get paid enough for this.

[D.D.]

A boring teacher needs good content- are you in a public school? hogwan? If you are in a public school use youtube and find topics they like. Get them to write down words or sentences about a short video 2-3 minutes or even just a still frame. Go around and meet them and talk to them in groups while they are doing their writing about the video.

Get out of the mold of teacher at the front of the class. Braek they into groups and give tasks and grab a chair and sit down on their level and talk. If you have a coteacher remind them that discipline is their job.

Hogwans should be easy as smaller classes to work with. Above all find topics that they like.

[NM14456]

Too early to evaluate much beyond how much kimchee you're going to eat at lunch. Seriously, cut yourself a few breaks for awhile.
Good luck and hang in there.