Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Grotto]

I just thought I would start a thread to see how things are going throughout our year here.

I am currently at my school, they changed the hours to 8:30-4:30 which is no problem for me. I am sitting where I have been for the last hour and a half doing nada. They handed me a schedule but nothing on it has been done. I asked for the book but was told I would get it Friday...sigh.

I would rather be planning out some curriculum than sitting here doing nothing but I dont know what the year plan is.

I have a plan set up for October where I am going to teach a Halloween lesson. Ghost stories, mask making, the different creatures associated with Halloween. Try to find some references to Korean monsters.
I want to ask if the month can end in a Halloween party....but that might be a little too ambitious.

Any ideas for lessons can be posted here too.

Good luck everybody and a big round of thanks to Patrice for taking care of the emails so promptly.

[Joseph Fitzgerald]

I am introducing myself to the students today. This morning I introduced myself to the faculty. I think there will be a lot of computer time this week.

[marista99]

Is GEPIK related to EPIK? What is it?

[Grotto]

GEPIK is related to EPIK

It is just the Gyonggi-do English Program in Korea

But it is at the elementary level. Put an English teacher in every school in Korea and drive the crappy hogwans out of business.

[Grotto]

I am still trying to drag a curriculum out of my co-teacher. I have been sitting around since 8:30 AM and it is now 1:30 PM. 5 hours of waiting.

I would like to start planning some stuff that will fit in and compliment the curriculum.

Lucky for me I remembered to bring some of my drama books with me. There are a lot of excellent games in there that can be adjusted for ESL work.

My co-teacher is also as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. She keeps apologizing for everything when it is only the first day. I told her to take it easy as we have a whole year to go through and we only need to do it day by day.

How is your first day going?

Oh yeah! This would also be a great place to post lesson ideas.

[McNasty]

My first day went something like this...

I drove up to work, parked my car, and was surrounded by students as I exited the vehicle. After the barrage of hellos, I responded with the usual pleasantries and requested some assistance in carrying my boxes to the English room. They graciously offered their assistance and proceeded to deliver my possessions to the agreed upon destination. Unfortunately, my assistants were more efficient than I had anticipated and I lost them around a corner. As a result I had to ask for directions from another teacher and luckily she was able to point me in the right direction. 10 minutes after arrival, mission accomplished!

After meeting and greeting the new principal, which also was starting that day, I was escorted outdoors for a ceremony. I quickly discovered, to my surprise, that I was part of the ceremony and would be giving an impromtu introductory speech in front of 700+ eagerly awaiting students all lined up in perfect rows. After the principal gave her speech, I was introduced and handed the mic. I delivered my extremely brief speech and received the honorary bow from the entire school of students.

After that, I was hurriedly shuffled back into the school where I was assigned my shoe locker(luckily I had prepared my own slippers for the ocassion) and followed the procedure. Next was the teacher's room, where I was introduced to the staff and informed(through gestures) that I should give another speech. Keep in mind that all of this has happened in the span of about 30 minutes.

To be continued...

[Demophobe]

Ummm....isn't the curriculum the standard education books? Are you co-teaching? Even if you are, the books are standardized, as is what they have to learn in the morning classes.

I am in an elementary school, but have no co-teachers. I was handed the entire English education responsibilities...testing, report cards, parent-teacher meetings....my curriculum for the morning classes is the one used by all schools for English.

Isn't yours?

My afternoons, I am using my own program and have to submit lesson plans for this, but it's my own device, so I can understand.

The only thing to do with the books provided by the school is teach the lessons (standard curriculum) using the CD-ROMs and a couple of internet sites. Pretty laid out....not much guesswork nor planning as you have only 40 minutes per week with grades 3 and 4 and 80 minutes with grades 5 and 6. Only the afternoons are left somewhat open. Is this what you are talking about Grotto? If so, I have spoken with 2 others who entered the program this year, and they were told to develop something to do on their own for the afternoons. Maybe the same for you?

I didn't have to do the training program. I have quite a bit of experience in public schools (taught at 6 now!) and university, so perhaps it wasn't necessary. Gave me lots of time to get used to my new classroom and all of the tech-toys provided. Pretty sweet.

Today was a bit like McNasty's, save the directional confusion. The ceremony was cool and I got my teacher's certificate from Gyonggi Education Board in front of a pile of people and the students. The bowing rocked....never quite get used to it though.

[McNasty]

After the 9 o'clock bell rang I had the first 2 periods off and my co-teacher filled me in on the holidays for the year and introduced the books that would be used. I was pleased with how quickly she answered my questions and hooked me up with the necessary supplies. She showed me how to work the equipment and informed me that we would be getting brand new tables, chairs, etc in a month or so. She apologized profusely and I assured her that it would not be a problem since the equipment already available rocks!! But who am to argue with new stuff!?!

The first class was supposed to be an observation, but when she was called out of the classroom I felt obligated to fill in for her while she was out. We decided that we would try and work out a system and continue the day teaching together. It is challenging with 40 students, but in the end it's all about keeping them busy and they are fine.

The books are quite easy for the students and require some supplementary material. However, by using a combination of the equipment(computer and big screen tv) and some group work all is good.

The only problem I'm having is that I have trouble communicating with my colleagues since they don't speak English. My co-teacher and I struggle through our language difficulties with a Korean-English dictionary when the words get a bit too complicated. It's tough but we are working things out and the rest of the staff is supportive. I considered calling my wife for some translation assistance but decided it might turn into a crutch.
We'll figure it out

As for the books, my 3-6 grade classes use the assigned book. My 1-2 grade classes are up to me to plan as are my afternoon special classes. I am going shopping for books and materials this weekend to plan it all out.
I'm looking forward to putting my experience to the test.
Hopefully I don't %^$# up too badly.

[Grotto]

My co-teacher is a bit confused and seems to think she has bitten off/had forced upon her more than she can handle. She seems to think that she should be as good as the co-teaching examples that we saw at the training seminar....I pointed out that those people have been working together for some time and to relax. In a year we would be as good as them if not better.

Day 2 schedule

1 greeting principal and teachers
2 reconfirming contract
3 study curriculum
4 internet websites to share English education with other ELI's
5 lunch
6 info on regular classes, special programs, training programs for teachers, studying how to teach, programs during vacation
6 meeting students: behavioral and affective features? restrictions about corporal punishment physical contact and hugging.
7 writing down complaints when communication with Korean teacher is blocked

8 meeting with grade 3 and 4 teachers
9 go home

could be a busy day as yesterday i was basically ignored for the morning and the only reason I got some info is I cornered my co-teacher.

Keep the posts coming.

[Gollum]

[Grotto]

sniff sniff I didnt get any certificate
The other Korean teacher that got hired did now I feel left out

[peppermint]

My deal is the same as Demophobe, teaching on my own. Thankfully I don't have the admin work too. I teach the standard curriculum pretty much all day- no dealings with grades 1 and 2, yet. I want to do a story time thing in the afternoon for them, just so they get used to seeing me.

There are a whole lot of mistakes in the textbooks, so watch out for that.

[McNasty]

Today has been good so far. It was seating arrangement day so that took up about 15-20 minutes as it was accompanied with an outline of the rules.

Next was my turn, since it was our first day together with these groups of kids(all grade 4 students) I decided, with my co-teachers approval, that I would introduce myself to the students and have the students do a short intro of themselves(my name is...etc) It went over quite well(my co-teacher and I combed the room to keep them in line) and after that I brought in some of my hockey equipment and had a brief lesson. The visuals(my hockey stick and skates) held the kids interest and I passed the stuff around so they would enjoy it more. We went through some simple hockey vocabulary and I explained each of the words to make certain that they were clear as mud.

The kids seemed to enjoy the lesson and one of the students favorite sports turned out to be ice hockey. I asked him 3 times to verify that he had said ice hockey.

The afternoon will be devoted to planning for the upcoming after school program that begins next week.

1 small problem so far.
My co-teacher informed me that I would have to buy the books for the students and their parents would pay me back. I was aprehensive at first and than I thought about it a bit more. If the school orders the books, they will most likely be late(bigger problem), if I use my credit card I can collect air miles(bonus) . The parents will cough up the cash eventually since my co-teacher can call them and put on some pressure, but I really don't think it will be a problem.

One of my students just walked into my classroom during the lunch break and sat down in the chair beside me to have a chat. Now she is writing the alphabet and singing the song for me. This job rocks!!!

[Grotto]

Hey McNasty

Talk to James before you shell out any cash of your own. He said NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

The schools have three systems set up for teachers to get supplies.

1. The administration office you can go in there and state what you want and get a voucher for it.
2. A resource room where you can order what you want...it just takes time to get it in.
3. There should be a store/stationary store in town where the school has an account and you can go there pick up a crapload of stuff and in a day or two it will be delivered to your desk.

At least it went something similar to that.

James said he shelled out over 200$US when he first started before he figured out he would never see that cash again.

Hold off on paying unless you want to consider that your contribution to the Korean education system.

I still havent seen a curriculum or schedule, I have a schedule of stuff for today that was supposed to be done but my co-operating teacher has been to busy to speak to me all day. I am starting to get a little frustrated at the lack of forward momentum.

I am basically in the office writing out classroom rules, games, making some items for my classroom which I dont find out where it is until Friday. Can you say AAARRRGGGHHHHH!!! I knew that you could!

[McNasty]

Grotto,

I talked to my co-teacher about the possibilty about non payment and she claims there is no reason to worry. I would prefer to go above her and have the school pay for the books through an online order or something like that but I just started here and we are getting along so well that I am concerned about her losing face.

I'll have to think it over and make a decision this weekend when I go book shopping with my co-teacher. There is still some time before the deal is done.