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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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tomato
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: I get so little foreign language experience, I must be in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
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W.T.Carl
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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| It is real easy the find out why you got stuck with a class of little ones. The reason is MONEY. You school makes much more money from kinder classes as they do from the others. You are there as a machine ( or warm body ) to make money for the owner, hense you teach kinder. I basically had to piss off all the parents during a visit to get out of it. It worked, although the owner was not happy with me for a good while. He got over it, and I finished my contract. |
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Ryst Helmut
Joined: 26 Apr 2003
Location: In search of the elusive signature...
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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Although this story is 19 months old...I sure would like to know how it turned out.
!shoosh
Ryst |
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Khunopie
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: Fucking, Austria (pronounced "Fooking")
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| Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 4:20 pm Post subject: Re: Duped about Kindergarten |
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| Catalina wrote: |
Here's the scoop.
Into the fourth month of my contract at a hagewon - paid on time, 25 teaching classes per week, Korean teachers are nice, one other foreign teacher, set curriculumn, books, etc available, elementary and middle school kids OK (monsters on bad days, likeable punks on good days).
My problem - Kindergarden!
When I negotiated and signed the contract I was told that I would be teaching elementary and middle school students from 2-8 daily.
When I got to the school I found that I would be teaching 10 hours per week of kindergarten (KG). So my hours are now 9:30 - 12:30 and 3:00 - 7:00.
So, I thought I'd give it a go and promised myself three months. I have survived but am not enjoying it. Now, before someone writes back with a "life ain't a bowl of cherries every day" caustic comment let me be more specific.
I dread Kindergarten. I think there should be a show "Survivor - Hagewon Kindegarten".
At first I was promised a Korean speaking assistant who has never materialized. I asked for books and a curriculumn and I got a one page sheet with the months and topics listed i.e. April - Body. Despite reading as much as possible about success in the KG classrom I still feel like my classes are 40 minutes of hell. I switch activites often, I incorporate music and dance, we move about the classroom. The kids run and scream and crawl all over me. I cannot get cut and paste stuff done. Basic instructions are lost on them (draw, cut, paste). Taking out crayons is a ten minute ordeal. Fine - they are kids and I can appreciate that and do not really want to control them - mostly because I don't want to be there. And, incrementally, my KG duties are increasing.  Recently, telephone teaching has been added. Now, twice a month I will be simultaneously hosting the parents while teaching the kids, in additional to the regular teaching. Yeah - that'll be fun.
The other foreign teacher also teaches the KG for one class. She has the Korean KG teacher with her who prepares all her lessons, explains everything in Korean and she says a few English words. Class over.
I talked to my director and explained my understanding of the situation (She said elementary and middle school teaching now I teach kindergarten) and I told her I would not have taken the job had I been told I was teaching KG. I aksed her if I could teach less KG - no, the parents want even more hours for their kids with the foreign teachers. I asked for help with classes like the other foreign teacher. No - too much work for the Korean KG teacher. She said she understood my concerns and felt sorry for me. She could not change the structure because she has told the parents I was teaching. She promised to change after my contract ends. 
My instinct? Well - since negotiations have proved fruitless I'm thinking about leaving. Not just thinking about it - actively looking and applying for university jobs. There is enough demand for English teachers in this country so finding work will not be a problem. (I have been reading postings here about breaking contracts and re-employment so I aware of those pitfalls). Yeah - and if I work at another hagewon I'll be writing a contract that specifies no Kindergarten next time!
Because it's stressful I go to the gym 4-5 days a week, don't drink alcohol generally, regularly go for little trips around Korea, I am taking twae-kwon-do and korean language classes, corresponding with friends and family, etc.
So, wise and learned reader, what suggestions do you have? Additional coping strategies, negotiation suggestions, escape routes, anecodotal stories about similar situations that will cheer me up? Maybe my Korean Kindergarden Blues are the norm. Even knowing that would be helpful.
Thanks in advance,
Catalina |
Have you tried doing paper mache or mime with the kids? Its a great introduction to french culture. Also, try bringing an "Easy Bake" oven to class and make brownies. Kids love brownies. |
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Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 2:16 am Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
I really don't understand why everyone here dreads KG. I have KG classes three times a week, and never any problems. And no, I do not have an assistant either. I speak a little Korean, but basic only. I don't find it difficult to control six-year old kids. I am not trying to be nasty here, but it shouldn't be a hassle.
That said, if you signed a contract that had no KG, then tell the boss no KG. The worst that he can do is fire you, and then you are free to find another school. |
Personality has a lot to do with it. That's why some people study elementary education while others want to teach in highschools. |
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