Korean Job Discussion Forums

BackRow · Joined: 28 Jul 2010

Just started teaching at a hagwon, and trying to figure out where the kids are at in their textbooks and what is expected of me has been a real trial as I really haven't been told anything or given any real direction except be encouraged to give homework and journals constantly so parents think they're getting their money's worth.

I really think I'm doing terrible sofar, and although I plan to work hard during and after work hours to improve and get a grip on things I'm worried I may be in a "to little, too late, bye" situation, and be at the airport within a month.

So the question is, typically how long on average does a new hagwon teacher have to "coast" before management begins to really raise expectations? As a note, I've been teaching less than a week now.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:38 am Post subject:

1- You have been teaching less than a week

OK, take a deep breath and consider that: less than a week. Thats nothing so give yourself a break here and allow yourself time to catch your breath.

2- Ask your co-workers for advice.

They can help you out, teach you the ropes (you must be willing to learn however).

3- READ UP

Go online and find some ESL-TEFL resource sites that have acitivities, techniques and so on....and read up.

4- Look ahead and plan to a degree

That means pick up your curriculum, read through out and figure out whats ahead in terms of lessons and jot down a basic session plan. Then get some of those activities you found through your research (see point 3) and plug those in.

If this is your first contact with teaching it will be hard. Teaching (done properly) is not easy. For many its a very sharp learning curve and the biggest problem most newbies face is the lack of classroom management skills (ie how to plan a lesson and keep the students interested and under control).

Good luck.

koreatimes · Joined: 07 Jun 2011

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Hogwon management can be unpredictable. They might never really care what's going on in your classroom as long as too many students aren't dropping out, they might already be planning to fire you. It's hard to tell. If you have any foreign co-workers, ask them.

As far as the kids go, however, your grace period is the first day. That's when you set expectations for what you will and will not tolerate in the classroom. They'll start testing your boundaries right away. You say you think you're doing "terrible" in the class, so I have a feeling that's already started. Since no one sat you down and told you what the school expected, this isn't entirely your fault. Even a veteran teacher can have problems running a class when the school's own expectations aren't clear.

Patrick's advice is good. Read up. There's a lot of great activity and classroom management ideas out there on the net. I also recommend The First Days of School by Harry Wong, a really good book about classroom management. It's geared towards elementary school teachers in the states, but there's a lot that's helpful for hogwon teachers as well.

World Traveler · Joined: 29 May 2009

Zackback · Joined: 05 Nov 2010 Location: Kyungbuk

How long?
They want good results from the get-go.

DaHu · Joined: 09 Feb 2011

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

cincynate · Joined: 07 Jul 2009 Location: Jeju-do, South Korea

Leave some writing on the white board for the director to see. Give the kids some candy. Give them lots of homework. They will like you for the candy, the parents will like you for the home work, the boss will love you. Easy as pie!

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:26 am Post subject:

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Used to be there was a pronounced honeymoon for floundering newbs but as kids & bosses grow more accustomed to a steady succession of foreign teachers there might be less patience nowadays.

But the perception of some genuine effort will still outweigh a few initial missteps.

cincynate · Joined: 07 Jul 2009 Location: Jeju-do, South Korea

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:03 am Post subject:

Still with just a weekend of study the OP could come up with genuine ways to improve which would show up anyway...

No worries.

harshlands101 · Joined: 19 Oct 2010

It has to be said...

OP, you took a new job doing something you have never done before and clearly haven't even taken the slightest interest in prior to landing in Korea otherwise you would have at least read a post it notes worth of research on the teaching.

Koreans complain, the press complain, all people on daves complain. About what? Crabby english teachers with naff all idea of what they are doing and here you all are giving some nice advice when really what you should be saying is bugger off home because OP; you are atypical of the dross that has accumulated in this little country and help make us all look dumb.

ps. hope you like spicy food

BackRow · Joined: 28 Jul 2010