Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VanIslander]

best: those moments of free-flowing class conversations when everyone eagerly talks about something of interest

worst: working with a headache and/or low energy (like with a hangover)

[just because]

best: when you get a whole class on the same wavelength and the conversation is flowing nicely.

worst: when during this, the wonjang comes in and explains that you shouldn't be talking but only using the book to learn

[Zed]

The best for me was having a class for a long period of time so that I actually saw that I made a significant difference in the way they could use English.

The worst is having every idea that I have to make things work better completely ignored because the supervisor would be losing face to institute an idea that came from some lowly teacher.

[sadsac]

Best, when you have kids that are eager to learn and appreciate your effort.
Worst, when all your effort is negated by the stupidity of Korean teaching staff and directors.

[peppermint]

Best: Watching a kids response to a foreigner (me) go from fear and horror, to friendly enthusiasm in two short weeks!


Worst: Being told to stick to the dismal text books- word for word.

[Eazy_E]

[nev]

Best: When you've built up a relationship with a class and they cry your name excitedly when you walk in the door, and you can have a relaxed and fun class but one that actually teaches them, and as a poster before me said, you actually notice their progress.

Worst: If you're sick or in pain and the day just becomes a battle to finish. And when you know you're teaching badly but just can't seem to shake off a lethargy.

And, when you've had a class that's gone brilliantly, the kids have been on great form and good behaviour but you turn your back for a moment and they start playing up, and that happens to be just the moment the director looks through the window with a stern look on their face.

[captain kirk]

I'm no 'crackshot teacher' but lately I've been getting them to make complete sentences in response to some question I'll spin out of whatever book we're reviewing (for the third time, it seems). They're smart and accustomed to sluffing off a one word answer, all levels. They're smart and they take the bit and rise to the challenge of getting the word order right in their response. Some of the questions touch upon their lives, abilities, habits, friends, school and that brings a 'community feeling' to the class, which isn't 'drill' then, with joking and the proud awareness on their part that they are actually communicating in English.
The worst part about ESL is the 'the boss is the boss' attitude of management. Directives can come across like accusations. Also disparaging mutterings about the foreign teacher as a person, and so on. But a thick skin can make it all good, pretty much.

[indytrucks]

BEST: Reading the end of semester evaluations to find things like "OO Professor taught me a lot about lots of things ... I won't forget him."

WORST: Spending all night coming up with lesson plan after backup lesson plan, only to have them all fall flat.

[tomato]

being allowed to try different ideas, such as songs, games, and picture books

chasing and tickling kids who call you a �ٺ�

working in a job where there is a labor shortage--which means that you can tell an unreasonable boss "Fine. You can get another teacher and I can get another job."

escaping from public school in your home country, where pettiness is worse

escaping sexual abuse hysteria in your own country

working straight through dinner time

dealing with rowdy sixth grade boys

trying to find any common ground with the Korean teachers

wishing you could have a job where you could practice Korean

[Grotto]

best having your students score in the 90% on government tests when before they were scoring around 50%

worst being told you cant teach reading and writing as this is only a speaking and listening hogwash hogwan

[matthewwoodford]

best - when you get the whole class enthusiastically trying out English and getting it right.

worst - when the same class completely forgets what you taught them on the test two weeks later.

[oneiros]