Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RisaRosenrot]

I work at a hagwon on Baekseok. I've been having quite a lot of problems since I started 3 weeks ago. My kindergarten class will not listen to me. They will not pay attention and will constantly break their pencils to use the pencil sharpener. I've been having such a hard time with them, that I have fallen into depression. It just gets worse everyday.

To make matters worse, my bosses come in my classroom and yell at me about the stuff I'm doing wrong. I've been there for 3 weeks but have only taught for 2 weeks. It's been really hard on me.

They knew when I had started that I haven't taught that much before and I was teaching older kids. I'm having such a hard time that its causing me not to want to be here anymore. As in I just want to go back home to the states.

I have had depression and anxiety problems since I was 11 and this time last year I was under doctor's treatment for depression and bipolar disorder back in the states. I'm so unhappy that I just want to get a plane ticket and go home to my family where I belong. I have not felt welcomed in Korea since I got here.

The only thing holding me back from leaving is my boyfriend of two years is with me too. He said he would leave if the bombs were falling but wouldn't leave if I was just going to pack up and go home. Which makes me feel even more sad. I didn't want to come here to begin with but I came because he wanted to come.

I'm so stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

[Dodge7]

[Lucas]

[lille]

Instead of blaming OP, let's triage the problem a little bit.

What kinds of systems of rewards and punishments have you established in your classroom? Are students absolutely clear on the classroom rules? Are the classroom rules simple and to the point? When rules are broken, how do you react? What kind of material are you supposed to be teaching, and how much leeway do you have to change the way it's taught? Can you give us an example of a recent problem that arose in your classroom, and how you dealt with it? Are you with the same students all day, or do the students change?

With a bit more information, we can offer some suggestions. Hang in there. You'll find some systems that work for you soon. The first few weeks are harrowing no matter how much experience you have.

[cabeza]

[augustine]

Hopefully this experience will toughen you up, seems that you need some of that. Were you weeping while you wrote that? Wow... what's with this boyfriend of yours? Sounds like he isn't very supported and probably comin' down with the fever.

This country will break you though, son. Especially a weak woman. You find yourself in a crappy area working for some slave driving hagwon owner, and any previous problems you had before will increase exponentially. It's over until you can get out. The most important message here being: Don't come over here to work for a hagwon, not worth the time, not worth the money.

[modernseoul]

Talk to your co-workers and bosses honestly about your problems and maybe try and switch to a more manageable class. At the end of the day it sounds like this class has already lost respect for you and the school would be stupid to let it continue.

Also try and find something else to focus on and look forward to outside of school, many teachers become depressed because all they do is work and go home. Would you just do that back home? Maybe not.

I hope you find a way to at least improve your situation. But if not, flights are a little cheaper around May time

[chrisblank]

Sounds like you may be dealing with some culture shock. Remember, culture shock wears off in about 3 months.

If you feel homesick find ways to feel comfortable here, things you like to do that will ground your life. make it part of your routine.

Here are examples:
One of my lifer friends lives for NFL. Follows all the games, stays up late nights to catch games live. Reads online. Bought one of those NFL packages and can see all the games.
Another is into biking. Gets out and rides all the time. At least 3-4 times a week. Does randonneuring on week-ends.
Another cooks. Bakes, cooks, etc. Shops in 5 or 6 different places to get the ingredients he needs, and cooks like mom used to...often spends Sundays making bread.

One buddy likes to read. Reads voraciously. All kinds of fantasy, sci-fi, mystery or whatever. Everyday. On the bus, at home, between classes.

I like TV. Sit-coms, dramas, and late night talk shows. So every day I make it my routine to watch one late night show (Ferguson, Letterman or Stewart) everyday then a sit-com or drama. It keeps me grounded. For an hour or so everyday I can make myself feel at home and watch what I like. Crack open a beer, get some pretzels. No K-pop, no Korean Dramas. No gag concerts. It's great.

Find something you like that will "normalize" the experience for you.

As for dealing with the Kindi kids, lesson planning is your friend. Prepare flash cards for speed games, a marker and white board for pictionary, bingo, musical chairs, "egg" hunts, Simon says, etc. Have some skittles as prizes for good behavior (people will say its a bad idea, but when you start out you need all the help you can get)

Do songs, lots of songs. Have the kids sit at your feet so they are looking up to you (when you are forced to look up for a long time it makes you sleepy, great way to calm a class).

Use coloring as way to group the class, make everyone follow your directions. Each kid can choose a different color for a part of the picture, have them hold up the correct pencil, then color, then next kid chooses the next color, etc.

I taught kindi for 6 years. I spend a lot of time being a clown. Fall down, sit down facing the wrong way, exaggerate every move and facial expression, they will laugh a lot and then pay attention to you. Plus soon they will love you and you get free hugs.

[mayorhaggar]

Stickers, coloring, and singing songs.

[nicwr2002]

Once you remember that you aren't here to teach, but to be an entertainer then everything will be better. First of all do you have a co teacher in your class? If you do, try to get them to help you control the class or have them talk to the students for you. Do you know any Korea words for discipline? I usually pretend I'm calling their parents. When I was an entertainer at a Kindergarten, I used to use a blow up hammer to knock them on the head when they were misbehaving. Give awards to the students who are doing well and let the others see that if you do a good job you get something from it. Make a sticker board for the classroom to show good student progress.

Don't take the job that seriously to be honest. Unless you are teaching at a university or a good hagwon I wouldn't take the job so seriously. The bosses of these schools don't care about your input or ideas and just want you to be up there performing. Just make sure you do "big action" and everything will be wonderful.

[some waygug-in]

I've never taught kindy, but I have talked to many who do or have.

I think your first problem is you are taking class too seriously.

It's kindergarten. Get some coloring books and crayons, draw sunny

pictures of people on picnics. Sing some happy songs about

the alphabet, simple kids songs with lots of TPR (actions)

If you don't know any, get yourself a copy of "Wee Sing".

Don't expect perfection, just try to have fun with them.

[Mw182006]

Sent you a pm op.

[lithium]

I would advise you to join the military, but they won't accept you with mental issues. Find a nice English speaking church and you will be amazed how your stress will lessen.

[Julius]

Sorry to hear about your problems Risa.

[World Traveler]