Korean Job Discussion Forums

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Am I the only waegukin public school teacher without Korean co-teachers?

Every other public school teacher, on and off Dave's, I've run into has had Korean co-teachers. But here at my school, its just me and my classes, no Korean supervision. I do all the teaching, planning, grading, testing, and supervision. Is it that unusual?

Don't really see why you need a Korean co-teacher at the high school level anyway if you've got some teaching experience and a bit of a clue about what your doing. Off hand I can't think how having a Korean in with the waegukin in a high school class would make learning English any better or easier for the students.

*edit* - I was referring to the non-need for co-teachers only at the high school level. God help you if you don't have a co-teacher at the elementary level.

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 6:37 am Post subject:

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

To play devils advocate for hagwons..,.

Can you communicate English effectively to 40 kids of varied levels all in one class?

I know I can in my hagwon class of 8 leveled students.

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 7:01 am Post subject:

adventureman · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

peppermint · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:37 pm Post subject:

I didn't have a co teacher last year and it was hellish. At the elementary school level when kids are just learning the alphabet and such- there's a very strong need for things to be explained in Korean sometimes. They simply aren' t ready for immersion style classes.

As a side note, I'd assume none of you have a Korean teaching licence- and that means that on paper it's illegal for you to be teaching solo.

Plume D'ella Plumeria · Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Location: The Lost Horizon

Glad you mentioned that, Peppermint. I have taught high school, middle school and now elementary school. Some of those jobs included a co-teacher and some did not. At the high school level, flying solo is definitely more do-able. At the elementary level, particularly with my VERY low level "market kids," my co-teachers are indispensible. I don't know what I'd do without them. While we work as a team and are both actively involved in all aspects of the class, I appreciate their translation, especially when teaching grammar points and in explaining how certain games are played. As well, they provide immeasurable support when it comes to classroom management. Sure, I can do it on my own. I have. But it's a lot easier having them there and I'm never one to scoff at making things easier.

pollyplummer · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Location: McMinnvillve, Oregon

I teach 23 hours at a public high school. 18 of those hours are with co-teachers. I plan all the lessons all the time, and they Korean teacher assists me in the class. They translate difficult concepts and help police the students. Also, they handle all the grades and the bureacracy, paperwork, that kind of thing. They make copies for me (not that I've asked them to). I think they're just happy not to have to plan how to teach. I'm happy that the students are taught the way I see fit. I've seen lessons planned by my co-teachers, and they're often useless... I can see why many of the kids still can only say "nice to meet you" at the high school level. Planning all my own lessons is a pain in the ass, but at least I know that they're going to learn something. I teach 5 classes with no co-teacher and have no problem. I can be very stern if need be and the students respond to facial expressions more than anything. Public school can be a lot more work than a hagwon, but you have more creative control... especially in my case as there are no textbooks for me to use. I'm expected to plan everything from scratch. If you get a co-teacher, try to make it clear from the beginning what your expectations are going to be for the relationship.

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004