Korean Job Discussion Forums

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

Ok here is the deal, I am bored out of my gourd. I can barely work up the energy to want to give a hoot about my classes. I have been at this school for six months now, and I am wondering if this is a common condition for teachers. I do my best to help the kids have a some fun each class, and I show up on time.

I guess part of it is realizing that my school has lost alot of students over the last 6 months. I teach 25 different classes each week making time with the students quite minimal. Knowing that my school really is a volume enterprise I am not all that worried about it going under, but none the less watching the numbers slowly work their way down has been pretty depressing. I was informed that this common for new teachers to experience a slow decline of numbers at first.

I am asking as teaching is not my choosen field, and I am beginning to wonder if perhaps working here in Korea is not something I should persue for a second year. I dunno maybe I am just whining and should shut up and go get tanked this weekend. Meet some girls and have a good time, and try not to contract the Korean version of the "OH MY GOD I NEED A LARGE DOSE OF ANTIBOTICS via EVEN LARGER NEEDLE DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS."

margaret · Joined: 14 Oct 2003

25 different classes does sound odious. My favorite part of my job is developing a relationship with my students. I'm never bored yet but I think I'd be in your shoes. Before giving up on Korea you might try a different Hogwan next where you have the same students repeadly.
Keep us posted and good luck.
Margaret

Zark · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:47 pm Post subject:

I have to support Margaret here. The number one thing that makes teaching rewarding is getting to know your students and developing an (appropriate) relationship with them.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

For my money, there are two ways for teachers to get satisfaction from teaching. One of them is developing relationships with students. The other one is feeling good because you can see your impact on them in their educational growth.

You said you see 25 different groups a week. I take that to mean you see 5 classes a day every day. Each group once a week. Is that about right?

If you have any control over what you teach, consider this. You could teach them things that will noticably improve their pronunciation and listening. There are lots of entertaining and useful activities on the internet for these kinds of lessons. It also maximizes your advantage as a native speaker.

If you have no control over your lesson content, I don't know what to suggest.

I don't think you should feel too bad about feeling frustrated. The schedule that you have is working against you. It's not your fault. You mentioned a 'second year'. Look at other jobs and see if you can find one that is set up in a way that is more conducive to the type of teaching that will allow you to feel good.

Good luck.