Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

Negative Game in Teaching Profession

Around 70 percent of the respondents thought instructors at private institutes were more important than schoolteachers, which is sure to frustrate teachers. About 27 percent of the students said they either slept or did homework for private institutes during their regular school classes, which shows serious deterioration of school classrooms.

What about parents and students? Parents are greatly burdened with the need to enroll their children in all kinds of private institutes, while students can�t escape the burden of the exam hell by having all kinds of private tutors from early morning to late night, even at the elementary-school level. Such being the case, a great number of Koreans have no choice but to immigrate to western countries to avoid the inefficient educational system in Korea.

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Shortned link. -CM

[Gord]

He doesn't really say anything in the letter. He cites a power struggle between teachers and the establishment, and in ways unmentioned this is affecting the education students are getting.

It plays out more like a political move in trying to ensure job security than actually addressing actual education shortcomings.

[jaderedux]

Both posters are spot on here.

I work in a Middle School. Alot of my students take academy "learning" much more seriously. Smaller classes and no stress. Here they study for the test. They need those "real" grades. But once the test is over alot of the information is simply forgotten to make room for the next round of cramming for tests.

The teachers buy into the system also. I have heard from some parents, in fact yesterday, that some teachers don't really bother with answering questions from the students. They just say don't worry you will cover it in Academy.

The problem is the students are torn. Their lives are all about tests. They go to school here till 3:00 then at 4 or 5 they go to Academy until 10 or 11 and during test time usually 12 or 1. Then they have to eat and do homework or wind down. My boys have grey hair a couple of weeks ago some literally could not keep their eyes open they were so tired.

It is too easy for the teachers to lecture and then expect the student to pick up what they need in academy. The administration has them doing reams of paper work and stressing over room decorating contests.

Although the new curiculum (sp?) 7 was supposed to make teachers follow a more facilitative role it is almost impossible. I mean the older teachers like the old system......I AM KING/QUEEN of the classroom..don't ask questions....don't question anything I say just listen. Younger teachers are in percarious position. They want to be different but they can't effect any change because of the "ageism" that is rampant. If you are older you are right and that is just the way it is.

Last year we had a really interesting young man teaching math but he was quickly run off because he was doing things too differently. Things like putting students into teams and teaching to the class ability. He was promptly fired after 3 months. Being different here doesn't pay. No one respects the rebel.

So it is hard for the teachers to change. It may happen but I don't see how. It is too easy and important to stick to tradition and old ways.

Jade

[Ody]

i knew you would have a substantive contribution to this thread.
thanks jaderedux, you articulate well what has been pressing on my mind for a while.
i just wish it weren't so.

[Romulus]

If you look at Asia today or in the rest of the world there are little differences overall in education.If you are not taking the time to spend with your kids and help educate them about school subjects,social issues,hygeine etc.etc. they probably will have some shortcomings.All schools are factory like institutions that we send kids too while we go off to earn money to pay all the bills that we have to pay,ie to buy that car we have to have,and to keep up with the Rohs so to speak.Parents are overwhelmed and so are teachers too thats why people spend so mch money on education there is this guilt that the other kids have the one up on ours.The truth is schools do not really change much GIVEN EQUAL FUNDING.Most teachers do a pretty good job with the resources they have and the B/S they have to put up with today.Parents as the primary caregivers of the basic unit of society THE FAMILY are really all alone.Its funny to hear the older people today "say kids today" I reply "grandparents today".When I was a kid I was fortunate enough to have a grandfather who looked after me.Today grandparents are like absentee landlords nowhere to be found.They act worse than elementary school kids.Then our governments work against us they tax (penalize) us for having kids and spends billions on wasteful projects then shine us off with a pittance for education and day care.So if parents feel that way I can understand why!

[rapier]

"inneficient educational system" sums up korea as a whole, right from the way parents "educate " their kids to the way the hagwons and schools are run. Its the korean way. work hard, but not smart.

[Squaffy]

Speak for yourselves - I get on v well with my students and always have done - whatever country - seems there are a few newbies out here!!!

[jaderedux]

[Squaffy]

Group hug - no offence meant jaderedux

[jaderedux]

None taken mouse...I love mouse he rocks...!

Jade

[rapier]

Squaffy; I like my students as well. But I'm having a bad korea week, so you may have to put up with posts that resemble Narsty dog's from me for a while. Or until I manage to find those rose tinted spectacles again.

[dutchman]

"Where do you learn more, at school or at a hagwon?". Ask your middle schools students this question. I would guess the majority of students will answer the hagwon. Not only that, the hagwon teachers make far more than their public school counterparts. It's a sad situation.

The mother of one of my wife's middle school students recently told her that her son's middle school teacher told her to send her son to a hagwon (the only extra study he does is 2 hours a week of English classes with my wife and I). The mother resisted saying she doesn't want her son to have that stress. The teacher basically told her that if the boy doesn't go to a hagwon he's not going to do well on the tests at school. This teacher admitted that the school is responsible for the testing, the teaching is done at the hagwons.

Again, very sad.

[dutchman]

By the way, this kid I mentioned in the previous post is one of the most well-adjusted and well-informed students I've ever had. Why? He spends a lot of time doing things and talking about current events with his dad. His dad comes home everyday at 6:00. They always have dinner together. He rarely goes out drinking. When he practices golf, he takes his son with him. By Korean standards, this guy should be Father of the Year.

[rapier]

Dutchmans right- all the poor kids need is some real attention from the parents. Its the most natural way they learn respect, how to behave and a whole lot of stuff. If I was married with kids and living in Korea, i wouldn't send my son to a hagwon all day. I'd be enjoying some quality time.
I have a girls student the same- her mother teaches her english a bit herself, takes her everywhere with her, etc. She's so well behaved,sweet, responsible, and actually tries to learn english.

[kricket]

If Koreans woke up and started hiring competent REAL teachers, most of the people on this board would be out of work....