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rchristo10
Joined: 14 Jul 2009
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 Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 11:18 pm Post subject: |
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| supermouse wrote: |
Thanks for the responses guys, i never wanted to be in a situation like this. Originally I wanted to work in a public school.
The main complaint is that my classes are boring, but you try teaching the TOEFL to a quiet class. I have energy and am learning to weave games in, but these kids are just dead sometimes. After watching elementary, i never thought i would prefer it, i teach middle school and its tough.
Technically i still have not been served my written notice, my director is seeing what he can do. But everyday the offer changes, one day their willing to invest in me and transfer, the next day thats not on the table. Its really unprofessional, another problem is a new teacher is a gyopo. I do not think its fair i am being compared to him. Thats like me going to Italy to teach English, who do you think the director or kids are going to like more?
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First, relax. You're likely not slated to lose your job based on an average score from kids.
Second, realize that your employers' reactions to your work likely have a great deal more to do with your way of acting (yes, even outside of the classroom) than the kids' averaged scores. The great thing is that you can likely change that behavior pretty quickly.
Third, bend a bit. Show your employers that you do care (which seems to be what you're doing now). And realize that perhaps the students are unhappy both being in your class and also at the institute. So, try to forge a relationship with them (if that's what it takes). You'll find that often students generally try harder when 1. they like you and your class, and 2. they see that you're trying (at least) to care and like them: dress more professionally; add a couple of handouts or materials that the students can take home with them to supplement what they covered in class (these can usually be made in 5-minutes or less); come into work a bit earlier than usual; and (of course) keep the partying to days that allow you to air out the alcohol before showing up for work (i.e. no drinking the day before work). |
I appreciate the advice, but unfortunately both a Korean and another foreign teacher have been let go because of scores. My attitude is fine, as i said, I am liked at work and the staff is upset about the situation. The problem with forging a relationship with my class is i see these kids ONE day a week, i have over a 100 different students. Another pro to elementary is you them multiple times a week. The problem is the students are now stuck with this perception of me, thats why a fresh start would probably be best.
EDIT: Like I said, they are just not letting me teach either, its really insulting. Supposedly next week I already have a replacement. Luckily in my contract we 45 days notice, no matter how long we are employed.
Depending on what happens today, I am just going to ask for a letter of release and a letter of recommendation. |
Sounds like a pretty crummy place, and I don't doubt that you're feeling like crap there. All I can say is I hope that things go well for you. I've been in similar muddy situations and can (believe) I know what you feel. I hope things work out well with the release letter. This kind of behavior should not be allowed. Pure evil~
On a positive note: High teacher turn over in Korea leads to stagnant financial stats, duress, and often quick closures of most institutes. Rest assured, if they really do rely on this grading system, then they'll be running red pretty soon. Kids usually demand full return of payments when they are forced to change teachers mid-term. And some others (especially if parents realize it) decide to go elsewhere to places where they can be sure of the same teacher teaching them year to year. But hey, maybe times are a changing (doubt it though). |
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s.tickbeat
Joined: 21 Feb 2010
Location: Gimhae
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:23 am Post subject: |
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I get evaluated by the students AND their parents four times per year. The student evaluations count for a lot less than the parent's evaluations, but they still carry some weight (and the difference between student opinion and parent opinion is really striking!).
As a new teacher, you need to be absolutely willing to adapt and adjust. When students were upset at the total lack of games, I started playing games. When parents were upset about too many games, I pulled back a bit. On everything from discipline to teaching methods, you'll be graded and criticized. My director just tells me the things to change and it's usually quite doable to adapt. Sometimes I put my foot down (No. A child hits me or another child, and they're kicked out of the class. No arguments.) but usually it's not something I care too strongly about.
Just adapt and relax. Take an emotional step back and put a bit less of yourself and a bit more of your time into your work.  |
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:28 am Post subject: Re: Everything was going well until head office got involved |
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| supermouse wrote: |
I realize I came in at a transitional period, kids were in holding, two other teachers were in their last month as well. For the record because we were in holding I got no observation time nor did Avalon train me. When I did start teaching, i was observed once by my head teacher and he had no real concerns. Also during this time the CCTV cameras strangely moved locations to observe the teachers now.
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Suddenly my job is on the line and i can not be protected like some of my coworkers. I just do not think its fair, I am a new teacher and i am being kicked out the door. We get 45 days notice in our contract, they wont even let me teach anymore. Ironically i am now getting that observation time. |
Sorry to hear. I got burned in a similar way at my last teaching job. Hadn't taught for a long time and never had formal training. Started during that big avian flu debacle, so we couldn't be around students and had an abbreviated training session where I didn't really learn much. New trainer came in and set out to make an example out of me. Thing is, I'd fix whatever the problem had been, and then something else pops up. I didn't get fired over that but when I left I only had one strike left. All that drama because I slipped through the cracks on training day.  |
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koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:28 am Post subject: |
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| I just do not think its fair, I am a new teacher and i am being kicked out the door. |
What isn't fair? Should the owner be kicked out the door instead? Should the manager be kicked out the door? Should the account staff be kicked out the door instead? Should the office staff be kicked out the door instead? Should the Korean teachers be kicked out the door instead? Should the veteran native English speaking teachers be kicked out instead?
OR SHOULD IT BE YOU, THE NEWBIE, THE ONE WHO HASN'T SPENT A YEAR IN THE COUNTRY, PROBABLY DOESN'T KNOW THE WORD FOR CHOPSTICKS IN KOREAN, AND MOSTLY LIKELY IS ONLY HERE FOR THE SAKE OF PAYING COLLEGE LOANS BACK HOME?
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| I am also concerned about my flight money, they did ask for my itinerary before this happened, but i am nervous. What are my options for getting another job, i live in Seoul. |
What does living in Seoul have to do with anything? You just want to be coddled don't you?
This is the reality of the ESL business. You come, you fail, you leave. So, it's best you find a surroundings where you won't fail. This means doing excessive Mickey Mouse routines in front of snot nosed-brats might not be your thing.
Find a school that doesn't care about this crap. If students are evaluating you, that is your first sign you took a job with the wrong school. |
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NYC_Gal 2.0
Joined: 10 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:36 am Post subject: |
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| koreatimes wrote: |
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| I just do not think its fair, I am a new teacher and i am being kicked out the door. |
What isn't fair? Should the owner be kicked out the door instead? Should the manager be kicked out the door? Should the account staff be kicked out the door instead? Should the office staff be kicked out the door instead? Should the Korean teachers be kicked out the door instead? Should the veteran native English speaking teachers be kicked out instead?
OR SHOULD IT BE YOU, THE NEWBIE, THE ONE WHO HASN'T SPENT A YEAR IN THE COUNTRY, PROBABLY DOESN'T KNOW THE WORD FOR CHOPSTICKS IN KOREAN, AND MOSTLY LIKELY IS ONLY HERE FOR THE SAKE OF PAYING COLLEGE LOANS BACK HOME?
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| I am also concerned about my flight money, they did ask for my itinerary before this happened, but i am nervous. What are my options for getting another job, i live in Seoul. |
What does living in Seoul have to do with anything? You just want to be coddled don't you?
This is the reality of the ESL business. You come, you fail, you leave. So, it's best you find a surroundings where you won't fail. This means doing excessive Mickey Mouse routines in front of snot nosed-brats might not be your thing.
Find a school that doesn't care about this crap. If students are evaluating you, that is your first sign you took a job with the wrong school. |
Hey hey hey... What's with the snarky attitude? |
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WadRUG'naDoo
Joined: 15 Jun 2010
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 6:07 am Post subject: |
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| koreatimes wrote: |
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| I just do not think its fair, I am a new teacher and i am being kicked out the door. |
What isn't fair? Should the owner be kicked out the door instead? Should the manager be kicked out the door? Should the account staff be kicked out the door instead? Should the office staff be kicked out the door instead? Should the Korean teachers be kicked out the door instead? Should the veteran native English speaking teachers be kicked out instead?
OR SHOULD IT BE YOU, THE NEWBIE, THE ONE WHO HASN'T SPENT A YEAR IN THE COUNTRY, PROBABLY DOESN'T KNOW THE WORD FOR CHOPSTICKS IN KOREAN, AND MOSTLY LIKELY IS ONLY HERE FOR THE SAKE OF PAYING COLLEGE LOANS BACK HOME?
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| I am also concerned about my flight money, they did ask for my itinerary before this happened, but i am nervous. What are my options for getting another job, i live in Seoul. |
What does living in Seoul have to do with anything? You just want to be coddled don't you?
This is the reality of the ESL business. You come, you fail, you leave. So, it's best you find a surroundings where you won't fail. This means doing excessive Mickey Mouse routines in front of snot nosed-brats might not be your thing.
Find a school that doesn't care about this crap. If students are evaluating you, that is your first sign you took a job with the wrong school. |
Very passionate! You really seem to care. About what, I have no idea. |
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koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 7:07 am Post subject: |
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Sorry, anyone aspiring to teach in Seoul, Korea should be given priority. I was off my meds, and I didn't realize how our freedoms are compromised when a hagwon decides to re-hire for monetary reasons.
It won't happen again. OP, I hope you can stay at your current school because it seems like oodles of fun. Ta ta for now.
Avalon? :::snickers::: then departs. |
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