Korean Job Discussion Forums

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

With my public school gig, most of my classes I work with a K coteacher. They plan the lesson, and I assist. I work with a few coteachers.

I have this one, a young teacher, just graduated, well actually, I think he is still studying to finish his degree or something..??

Anyways, usually, the K-teacher goes to class, then sends a student later to bring me to join the class.

This teacher, takes his book, and looks like he has a lesson planned. Then five mins into the period, a student will come, take me to class, and he says "free talking time," or "talk about pop stars." Then he bolts out the door, and leaves 35 kids looking at me blankly. I then have to talk to them about this topic, and/or get them to discuss with me in English.

Happens 4 times a week now, and I am getting annoyed....

I fear that if I complain, it will become worse somehow, but I hate this. I come back, and he is "studying" or doing nothing at his desk, but pretends that he was with me teaching by bringing the text.....or by sometimes popping in at the end of the class!!

Today I had to talk about "travel"...kids got bored(since most have never travelled), and so did I....Some kids lit things on fire in the back of the class, and another girl was knitting...I think 4 kids were actually listening.... Confused

manlyboy · Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 9:53 pm Post subject:

Well, if it were me I'd be glad he's gone. In that case I could just proceed to do my own thing. Sounds like he doesn't give a crap what you do anyway.
I've got a co-teacher who is not only lazy, but has very nasty mood swings of which I'm usually on the receiving end. She hates kids, she hates being a teacher, and, sadly, I think she hates herself. And I have to work side by side with her every single day.
Because I find working in a public school a very cushy job though, this is something I'm prepared to put up with. At the moment I'm in the middle of a four hour break, and I can do whatever the hell I want. Never had this luxury in a hagwon.

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

I am in the middle of a four hour break too...good job!

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

That happened to me a couple of years back. I was teaching kids in an elementary school and one teacher would always find an excuse to leave the classroom and not come back until I was done.

On the one hand it bothered me but on the other hand I completely understood his dislike for being in a classroom full of kids and grabbing the opportunity to get out of class for a while.

peppermint · Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 11:17 pm Post subject:

get the textbook, or the GEPIK website and plan the lesson yourself. Trust me, it's doable. It took six months of constant nagging to get the teachers to even show at my classes and now the y come and fall asleep. Mad

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

You need to have a serious talk with this teacher....maybe he is useless? Or does not know how to teach? In any event...YOU need to take a stand and jack this person against the wall and tell them to find a new profession cause they are a lousy teacher and you are tired of picking up the his half.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

Yeah, just plan your own lesson. I am with a co-teacher Monday to Wednesday tand part way through Thursday and the cp-teacher is rad. Half of Thursday and all of Friday I teach the classes, there is a Korean co-teacher but they are only there because they have to be by law. I plan the lessons and teach them. It's not that big of a deal. Use some classroom control and plan some interesting lessons. Don't just sit there without a plan because as soon as the kids realize that you have no control they're going to go ape shit. Yes, you will have to actually do some work but it's not like it's impossible.

Cherry Ripe · Joined: 14 Sep 2004

So this teacher doesn't want to be around when you're in the classroom? Either his English is woeful and he's worried about making a fool of himself in front of you OR he lacks confidence/ability concerning his teaching methods and doesn't want you to know about it OR he just doesn't know how to teach with you OR he's just lazy and wants time off.
If you want to teach with him the same way you teach with the other teachers then why not invite him to one of your other classes so he can see how it's done? ALternatively you could tell him that you would really appreciate his help in the class as you've heard what a great teacher he is and how much the students like him...in short flatter him to build his confidence.
Like you, I much prefer having a Korean coteacher with me in the classroom (although I plan the lessons myself). I let my teachers know how much I value their presence in the classroom and ttry to include them as much as possible.

ajstew · Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Location: Korea

You do have a problem... and I don't think it's as easily solved as some say, by planning your own lesson. This is because he obviously starts the lesson himself and tells the students what they are going to do... before evacuating. You should probably talk to him... or actually start the class with him for a short while. If it's not your job to prepare lessons... then you shouldn't have to shoulder that responsibility at all. Good luck.

peppermint · Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2004 6:39 pm Post subject:

It's not her job, but believe me, when you're dealing wit those #s, at that level it's worth the work. Being thrown into a class unprepared at an elementary school is a punishment marginally worse than being thrown into a shark tank

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

If he announces 'free talking time' and then walks out he has an attitude. You haven't mentioned attitude. Figures he's your agent or boss. Because you're a 'not cool' foreigner. My guess is he's slyly sunk into smugness and you're a joke to him. That he takes that slant and avoids work. If someone asks him about it he can say he was in the staffroom working on lesson plans for when he's teaching, and that you do just fine by yourself. If you don't complain no-one will force him to co-teach with you.

Len8 · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Location: Kyungju

Try kicking him out at the beginning. Take over the whole class and tell him he's not wanted, because he's useless. If he complains to the principle tell him the truth. Your in a public school, and they aren't going to fire you. Your there becuse the education department put you there, and that's where you will stay untill your contract is out.

Believe you me most of the other Korean teachers aren't like him. Word will get around about what you have done and they will repect you for sticking up for yourself

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Isn't it usually, as in my own case, that the foreigner is the teacher and the assistant is there to do paperwork, organize the classrooms, call the parents, discipline, etc? Why not just stay in the same room together and either teacher half the class each, or you teach and he does the assistant duties?

My assistant does quite a bit of work at our school. All I do is teach. She has to do all the paperwork, lesson plans, decorating, etc. It's a fair trade-off in my opinion. I'd rather be teaching than all putting up with all the BS she does with the principal and English dept. as well as cleaning and decorating, calling parents, and whatnot.