Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rapier]

Last year my boss helped out with my classes of 7,8 & 9 yr olds, it was such a welcome development. Not only did she help keep them in order, but translated many words- and thus accelerated the kids learning process.
This year I'm fortunate enough to have a great women helping in my kinder classes- korean women are quite patient, without her it would have degenerated into a kids vs Me scenario ages ago. Like wise my new boss is teaming up with me for my 13 & 14 yr old classes, can't wait. I was beginning to lash the kids with cord a bit too much,- but now he can take all responsibility for discipline, translation etc. He'll actually see some of the problems a foreign teacher faces.. and probably learn some English to boot.
Are korean directors finally realising what an improvement it is to have an assistant working with their waygook?!!

[crazylemongirl]

No I don't.
But because my school has very little space the korean teachers are often in the classroom working so that tends to ensure that the kids don't get too out of line.


CLG

[itaewonguy]

I dont want anyone in my class!!!

I make that clear!!
I dont need no baby sitter, I can handle my class myself!

[kimcheeking]

As a rookie in my first year I had a Korean teacher in my kindergarten classes but anything older was up to me to control. I think that under 8 having a Korean teacher on hand would be very beneficial especially if you are a rookie.

Now thank God I am teaching adults and will never go near another kids class.

[rapier]

Itaewonguy: I presume you're not fluent in Korean, you teach a class full of 13 yr old brats who don't want to be there or learn English; it takes you half an hour to trnslate the meaning of a difficult word through pictures and mime...are you honestly saying in this scenario you're still to proud to accept a korean helper/translator? Theyre actually normal in countries like japan so i hear- it greatly accelerates the kids learning process.

[waterbaby]

Last year I had a Korean teacher in every class with me and I found that it made the kids quite lazy. If they didn't understand something, they simply looked at the KT who translated for them. Sometimes the KTs translated everything! I got tired of this after a while and tried to get the KT's to not interfere but it was a difficult battle.

Now I am the only teacher and I have about 10`15 students in each class (15 6 yr olds in one class ) and I find it's OK to not have a KT. If I have exhausted all means to explain a difficult concept through mime, drawing, explanations, examples... then I turn to my supervisor for some interpretation. But that doesn't happen very often, about once a week per class.

I like having the classroom all to myself. I agree with KK - as a rookie, having a KT in the class all the time was a great help, but now I prefer teaching alone.

[itaewonguy]

[rapier]

Itawonguy: you could be right on the last point, I'll see how it goes this week onwards.. maybe I'llbe happy to be a model of pronunciation rather than just a drill sergeant though.

[Zyzyfer]

I do and I don't. Some of the teachers want to be in class; others would rather stay in the office. If the teacher is just going to sit there and look bored during my class, they can hit the road, but if they're gonna try to help me explain something, hey.