Korean Job Discussion Forums

[juicyhumdinger]

Bringing a foreign teacher into Korean classrooms is not intrinsically a bad thing. The goal is of course to expose all students to not only a native��s use of the English language, but also to expose all students to a person of a different race and cultural background. Unfortunately, both of these goals are undermined by the lack of education in other subjects on the differences between people, whether they be racial, cultural or social. Here I mean most notable in the social sciences and ethics courses required of all students. If students are not taught in the other courses to accept or at least tolerate the differences between people, little benefit will be gained by having a foreign come in and talk to them. In fact, it seems as if the students are taught to hate different cultures and races.

My experiences so far with EPIK have been dismal: students don��t expect to learn or study with the foreign teacher, they expect games. ��Teacher, game, game!�� is a constant call in my classes. I am decidedly not the most popular of teachers, in that I expect the students to engage in the activities I assign them, which more often are not games. Do I give in and entertain them? Do I play the stereotype of the white monkey who is expected to come in and just make it fun for 45 minutes, once a week? Or do I remain professional, and give them activities which reinforce the learning taught by the Korean teachers, while correcting their mistakes and improving their confidence? In other words, do I want to be fun teacher, or wonkta teacher?

As an experiment, I��d say something along the lines of ��*beep* Japan��, or ��*beep* USA�� in class just to gauge what kind of reaction I��d get. The latter doesn��t generate as much hulabaloo as a couple of years ago, but the former never fails to get the whole class riled up and ready to pounce. Mention ��Dokdo�� and see what kind of reaction you get. Pure unadultered emotion, lacking in logic or reason, is invariably the response. Why is that? If I were to say something of the sort in Canada, I��d most certainly soon find myself before a disciplinary committee, or already on the welfare line. But here it seems that the children are taught from a young age that it��s ok to hate, it��s ok to carry a grudge, it��s ok to think themselves superior to other, lesser countries. Whenever I spend time reflecting on this, I��m reminded of my readings in WWII era Germany and Nazism, and how successful demagoguery has proven to be. This is not education, it��s jingoism pure and simple, and has no place in the classroom, and certainly contradicts the essence of what the EPIK program is supposed to stand for.

[guangho]

Welcome to teaching in Korea.

[adventureman]

..

[JacktheCat]

What you are describing is not just a problem with EPIC, but a cultural problem with teaching in Korea.

Korean children are taught by their parents, the media, and society in general that foreigners are of lower intelligence than Koreans and are just useful for entertainment purposes and not to be trusted.

However it is possible to change their views. If you act (and dress) in a professional manner, they will come around. We can make a difference.

[deessell]

Why not change the name games to activities. I never underestimate the teaching potential of "activities". I personally have improved my language skills in french by playing games and activities.

I understand that you feel undervalued as a teacher in the EPIK programme but I was clearly told by my supervisors at the MOE that I should see my role as more of a Public Relations type position. Part of my job is to make myself available to students and teachers who want to utitilize their English. I also think that because we teach in a more communicate style and the Koreans are used to Drilling, that we are seen as more showy and less of a real teacher. They just don't understand that they have to reproduce the language themselves.

For me, the hardest thing is getting the students used to the idea that they are doing the talking and that I am more of a facilitator. I also have difficulty trying to produce communicative style lessons and therefore all my experience and training is not being utilized.

On the bright side I do feel that my prescence is having an impact. Especially when their cell phones are confiscated by me and they approach me after class begging and creating interesting excuses. That provides an excellent opportunity for them to use their English.

I apologize in advance if the syntax is difficult to follow...it's the end of a long day teaching in a High School.

[juicyhumdinger]

perhaps I didn't explain myself sufficiently, but this line sums it up:

[juicyhumdinger]

[steroidmaximus]

bad week, eh?

I can relate. Let it go, concentrate on the students who are interested, and try to remain positive. If you get down on everything, the students (and the teachers) will pick up on it, which will aggravate the situation.

[adventureman]

Three questions just out of pure curiousity:

What level do you teach?
do you live near a major city or out in the boondocks? and,
do you think you will renew your contract?

[juicyhumdinger]

middle school, 3 a week (1 is on rotation)

country, which I accepted because it would be a challenge

[rant]
I looked at this job as something I could do for 2-3 years, but now I'm seriously considering dropping it at the 6 month point if not sooner, primarily because my attempts to negotiate a sufficiently long vacation have seemingly failed, combined with my statements above. If I do quit , this will be the first time I quit a job EVER, including of course my jobs back home. I did get an extra week tacked on and a "don't worry, we'll take care of you", but I was also told I would have to go to the main office and be available to the office staff, who "only get 3 days of vacation by the way". I can see where this is going: the gist of 'being available' will consist of my doing all the piddling English stuff they've been hoarding for the last 6 months which they'll take kudos for. This even after I agreed to do 3 three day overnight camps (1 elementary and 2 middle school), one quite far away in another district that is probably illegal. The supervisor thinks I want the extra time so I can work a camp somewhere, despite the fact that I told him I want the time to travel and clear my head. I'm not a teacher in his eyes.

I give more than the contract expects, I take on extra work to build good will, I work 1.5 hours of extra classes everyday (for extra pay) including once a week at an elementary school, I dress more than appropriately, I'm punctual and am always prepared and professional. I'm a tier 1. I have a car and can get around without assistance, and I spend alot of time and money travelling to far flung places. I'm a bit older and have been teaching for several years, and herein lies the problem: I think they'd prefer to have young inexperienced teachers who fit their preconceptions. If I didn't have a car, I'd be interested to see how much of this running around I'd have to do. I looked at this job as a way to build experience for a similar job back home teaching middle school in the country, and it's been a good trial by fire for some of the worst days I might experience. . .yet I just know that job back home will be much easier with more respect.

[/rant]

[manlyboy]

[crazylemongirl]

one of the things that is bothering more and more about there government things is that there is no reward system in place for teachers. You get paid the same whether you do the bare minumum or you pull out all the stops.

Personally I think if the powers that be are serious about improving teacher/quality/retention etc. it should operate on a bonus system. If public school systems can't afford the cash then they can afford the time.

Eg. If you learn korean (which I think we would agree is a good thing) then the programmes should put some money towards it and you are able to leave eariler the days where your korean class happens.

If you take on extra cirrcular activites then you should qualify for more vacation time at a higher rate. Eg. Say you do half a day of club class that should equal 1 extra day of vacation.

If you take on more classes you should get a choice between OT or vacation leave.

If you develop teaching materials for your classes that should be recognized as well.

[Badmojo]

Why are you attempting to do anything positive if you only see them once a week? Get real, man, your presence is a joke. Get a class you see everyday or don't put anything into it at all.

I had your schedule once and it was useless. I'm supposed to be reinforcing what the Korean teacher is doing when they're not doing anything or doing very little or doing it all wrong? Yeah, that'll keep me up at nights doing lesson plans.

I can understand your rant with the schedule you got, but I don't agree with some parts. Koreans expect the foreign teacher to be bush? They don't respect foreigners? Do your job right and you'll change both those attitudes in a week. Of course, it's impossible for you with that schedule you have. Why'd you accept it in the first place?

[hari seldon]

Two weeks vacation is a joke.