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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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 Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 6:02 am Post subject: |
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| thomas pars wrote: |
Wasn't some NT raped at one a few years back? Hence the no alcohol ban?
Believe it or not they aren't as bad as they used to be. They used to be 2 weeks long.
At the end of it people were so stir crazy there were fist fights, and fire extinguishers let off under the cracks of room doors. |
I heard a different story as to why they aren't permitting alcohol now. Whichever story is true, one thing seems to be for sure, GEPIK is under the government's microscope and they're looking for reasons to make cuts. As it is, a good many GEPIK teachers got flushed out last summer and now as it's resurfaced, all but about 3 coordinators were cut.
Seemed during this week's workshop, GEPIK teachers didn't make too much of a fuss over the alcohol ban in light of this information. |
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Chalmers
Joined: 20 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:21 am Post subject: |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
| Chalmers wrote: |
| sojusucks wrote: |
| Here's an interesting video on youtube on orientation. |
No, that's not interesting at all.
...AND this thread IS NOT about new teacher orientation. |
Interesting is a relative term ...
I haven't seen anything on here specifically about new teacher orientation. Thanks for playing though. Although many new teachers must attend so it is related, which can also be ascertained from a previous quote.
| Chalmers wrote: |
Orientations happen at the beginning of each semester, I wasn't required to attend this year because this is my 4th year teaching at a high school, but first year with GEPIK. |
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Good lord, you're annoying. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Speaking of annoying, how about hearing that GEPIK has budget problems while GEPIK insists on holding large and expensive workshops at resorts? It's understandable that orientations for newbies be held over a few days because they need more training, plus the overnight socialization benefits them. But why haven't alternatives such as one day regional workshops and online training been considered for teachers with 2+ years of experience? If the savings can save 5-10 teachers their jobs then everyone benefits. Why does GEPIK continue to drag teachers with 2+ years experience to remote resorts, and pay for expensive rooms and meals just so that they can see such presentations as "Here are lesson plan ideas I found on the internet" and also see someone dressed as a proctologist give 12 ways to play hangman with elementary school kids? It just doesn't make financial sense. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:26 am Post subject: |
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| Did GEPIK give everyone the "straight facts" during their presentation? Is it true that 9 of 12 GEPIK coordinators were fired because they were leaking insider layoff information to their friends and posting it on their blogs? |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:14 am Post subject: |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
| Did GEPIK give everyone the "straight facts" during their presentation? Is it true that 9 of 12 GEPIK coordinators were fired because they were leaking insider layoff information to their friends and posting it on their blogs? |
 Well, no one said why, but there were only 3 coordinators left, which was pretty surprising. I feel sorry for anyone who actually has problems with their school this year. I was calling my coordinator quite a bit with my last school. |
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jacksthirty
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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I went to a GEPIK Plus meeting in the fall once. It was just three days, and a little bit more advanced that the orientation. They were still rattling on about co-teaching, and a few workshops. Less of a 'welcome to Korea' crap think though. Could have been better, but interesting though.
Oh and people got rowdy and drunk. |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Were the speakers at GEPIK+ any better this time around? |
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dairyairy
Joined: 17 May 2012
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 10:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Can I ask a question about permitting or banning alcohol? Why not ban it in rooms but serve it at controlled events for socializing? Has that been tried? It just seems so condescending to ban it altogether for foreigners in Korea where there appears to be no limits on alcohol for anyone else. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 5:43 am Post subject: |
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| shostahoosier wrote: |
| Were the speakers at GEPIK+ any better this time around? |
On that "other website" posters are laughing because a presenter recommended taking students to Itaewon to meet foreigners. Imagine how parents would feel about that idea. |
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yfb
Joined: 29 Jan 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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| shostahoosier wrote: |
| Were the speakers at GEPIK+ any better this time around? |
The speakers were better than the usual dreck I experienced in 2008 and 2010. The aforementioned proctologist was pretty much saying we should all be dancing clowns and make fun of the curriculum like freezing dialogue videos on funny frames - I feel that even though it's horrible, it's pretty unprofessional.
I'm told the "getting creative in the classroom" lecture was extravagantly boring.
I went to the "professionalism" lecture and the guy was having us do ethics exercises - I felt he had a good point, but we ran out of time before he could get his point across.
The "Korean culture" lecture was a waste of time for anyone that's been in Korea more than a year.
| Quote: |
Can I ask a question about permitting or banning alcohol? Why not ban it in rooms but serve it at controlled events for socializing? Has that been tried? It just seems so condescending to ban it altogether for foreigners in Korea where there appears to be no limits on alcohol for anyone else. |
They banned it because past experience has shown when the NETs get alcohol, destruction of property usually occurs. Back in 2008 several rooms at the Hyundai Learning Center were trashed and fire extinguishers were set off. Changing the location where alcohol is served wouldn't really solve anything. It does seem condescending but it's better than being plastered all over the news about NETs getting drunk on the government's dime.
| Quote: |
| It's understandable that orientations for newbies be held over a few days because they need more training, plus the overnight socialization benefits them. But why haven't alternatives such as one day regional workshops and online training been considered for teachers with 2+ years of experience? |
The regional workshops were actually in place, but the whole system got canned when the GEPIK coordinators got let go. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 6:52 am Post subject: |
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@ yfb
So, why were 9/12 GEPIK coordinators fired? Was it because they were leaking insider information about GEPIK layoffs and posting it on their blogs? That's what everyone has been saying and it sounds accurate. |
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dairyairy
Joined: 17 May 2012
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
They banned it because past experience has shown when the NETs get alcohol, destruction of property usually occurs. Back in 2008 several rooms at the Hyundai Learning Center were trashed and fire extinguishers were set off. Changing the location where alcohol is served wouldn't really solve anything. It does seem condescending but it's better than being plastered all over the news about NETs getting drunk on the government's dime.
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It has made the news in the past? Do you have any links? Was anyone held accountable?
There are two points I'd like to make. What were the ages of those who trashed the facilities? Based on what I've witnessed in my short time in South Korea my guess is that the damage was probably done by younger 20somethings who were just out of college. They were probably doing it to impress the "table full of young and dumb blondes" who acted like they�re here on vacation. Am I correct? If schools hire people of that age and maturity then that�s what they get. My recruiter explained that many schools prefer younger teachers because they are easier to manipulate. Well, there are also many negatives with hiring younger recent graduates. You can expect them to crack open a beer and use that as an excuse to do stupid things. That�s what they do in Ft. Lauderdale and Cancun on Spring Break.
The other point that I�d like to make is that restricting alcohol for those who are taking advanced training does seem puzzling because those teachers are the ones who�ve shown the ability to survive and thrive in their schools and this country. That includes being able to handle alcohol in social situations. How many years do teachers have to teach to earn some "Korea points"? They sound sensible and mature enough to handle a beer. And, yes, drinking is part of Korean culture and life in Korea as a whole. If they do end up brawling perhaps it�s not because of the alcohol but because of the setting. Maybe they just don�t like being cooped up in the middle of nowhere, with others, while receiving low-level "training." Don't you think that a teacher with years of experience can handle making lesson plans and probably doesn't need more "training" about Korean culture? Poor training and presentations would drive anyone batty. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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| On another site someone posted that you can get out of those 3-5 days sessions if you "holla" about OT. Any truth to this? |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| The regional workshops were actually in place, but the whole system got canned when the GEPIK coordinators got let go. |
As for regional workshops, I'm not talking about lumping everyone together, by city, with the experienced teachers bored out of their minds and the other half in their first week in Korea. Been there- didn't want to get crowded into a high school auditorium just to see a drinking soju, eating kimchi, and KPop lesson followed by banging drums and taekwando. How do taekwando demonstrations and banging drums help teachers improve their teaching skills? Is it so hard to set up a regional workshop where some people with knowledge of teaching could make a presentation about relevant topics?
I'm not exactly sure how the district education offices are set up, by boundries or whatever, but aren't they set up for training of Korean teachers by region? Why can't that system also be used for foreign teachers with 2+ years experience? For example, it would be refreshing if, just once, Korean teachers got to hear a frank discussion from foreign teachers and vice versa. Many Korean teachers also say that they wish they had some training with foreign teachers. Why not utilize some of those experienced teachers, who may have some tips, to help train Korean teachers? Get some Korean teachers to talk to the foreign teachers. None of this would cost money but it could help make the training relevant. Right now, it's all about kimchi, pouring soju, banging drums, taekwando, and dancing to KPop, and if you learn anything else it's usually because the teacher sitting next to you can answer your question. |
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Modernist
Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Location: The 90s
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| Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Why can't that system also be used for foreign teachers with 2+ years experience? For example, it would be refreshing if, just once, Korean teachers got to hear a frank discussion from foreign teachers and vice versa. Many Korean teachers also say that they wish they had some training with foreign teachers. Why not utilize some of those experienced teachers, who may have some tips, to help train Korean teachers? Get some Korean teachers to talk to the foreign teachers. None of this would cost money but it could help make the training relevant. Right now, it's all about kimchi, pouring soju, banging drums, taekwando, and dancing to KPop, and if you learn anything else it's usually because the teacher sitting next to you can answer your question. |
Teacher #1:
Young, white, blonde, female, attractive American. BA in nothing in particular from wherever. Has never taught before. Has little applied experience with kids of any age, but 'I love going to the zoo with my little nieces!' etc etc. Bubbly. Big smile, deployed regularly. When presented with the aforementioned kimchi, soju, drums, taekwondo & KPop, smiles and claps and makes regular expressions of 'WOW! AMAZING! I had no idea Korea had so many cool things! Can I try some other kinds of kimchi? Can you help me learn to speak Korean? I've never seen anyone play the drums so fast! KPop is WAY better than American music! KOREA IS INCREDIBLE!'
Teacher #2:
Older, male or female, experienced teacher. Average appearance. May be any ethnicity. Possibly American. Experienced educator. Related degree. Reserved but has a good connection with students of many ages. Good communicator, but not stridently outgoing. Does not particularly care about Korean traditional *anything*. When presented with the aforementioned kimchi, soju, drums, taekwondo & KPop, says/thinks 'what does any of this have to do with teaching? Why are we wasting our time here?'
Which teacher do you think Korea wants? We all know, don't we?
Face the reality. Mostly what they want from NETs is the stupid, silly, ridiculous, embarrassing affirmation that foreigners know and like Korea and Korean things and Korean people. That everything Korean is, really, we swear, just as good and great and famous and unique and amazing as they've spent their whole lives hearing it is. That's why the orientations and workshops always spend so much time with 'cultural' crap. It will never change because they cannot get past their collective inferiority complex compared to Japan and China. |
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