Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Austin]

I would appreciate some constructive advice for how you would deal with the following:

I work with six other foreigners, and only one has any teaching credentials other than myself. The director and I are very close and he asked me to help the other foreigners improve their teaching and their performance in general, as there have been several complaints leveled at three of the five with no experience. A few students and their mothers want their children to be moved into a different class, but that is not going to solve the problem. I am willing to assist the other foreigners, but they have no desire to receive any of the suggestions that are being offered (no surprise there).

Unfortunately, popularity plays a big part in the dynamic here. One other teacher and myself are very well received by our students and the students of the other foreigners. My intuition tells me that things are going to get ugly, as the resentment is setting in on the other foreigners.

Admittedly, the situation is much more complicated than I have presented, as it would take far too long to go into details. Suffice it to say, I do not care for most of the foreigners as human beings, as their work ethic is pathetic, they drink excessively (I do not socialize with them, but hear the daily drinking stories), and they are abrasive and rude to Koreans. Most importantly, they treat the students with disdain.

Obviously, their side of the story would most definitely contain contempt toward me, as I am opposed to their lassitude. They would probably tell you that the students are horrible and that the boss is unfair and corrupt for treating the teachers differently. Moreover, they would probably tell you that Korea sucks, etc.

Fortunately, they fittingly recognize that I do not have their best interests, but the best interests of my boss and these kids. They may hate me and resent me for being so positive and dedicated to teaching, as it makes them look bad, but I am not going to lower my personal standards to make them more comfortable.

I have tried on a few occasions to speak to them about their teaching, etc., but I am getting the "whine" and cheese treatment. Most of you already know that I am not above suggesting to by boss to replace them, though they were here before me, as they are not showing any signs of wanting to improve their performance or rededicate themselves to this school.

Without going into further detail, how would you handle my situation?

Please know that I only socialize occasionally with the one teacher. Outside of work, I do not interact with the rest of the foreigners that I mentioned above (though I tried initially, but their conduct on the streets and in the restaurant embarrassed me, as they were totally uncouth and crude).

Thank you for taking the time.

[rapier]

Austin it is relatively difficult and problematic for a korean school to recruit well qualified and devoted teachers- they generally have to make do with what they get. Its a lottery.
If the teachers are as bad as they sound, the school could always fire one. It may serve as a warning to the others to get their act together.
I'm not against people drinking, so long as it doesn't affect their work. Unfortunately a lot of slackers who can't get jobs back home, and have no teaching interest or certificates think they can come on working "holiday" here and make a quick buck. They let the rest of us down.
You may not approve of my own teaching methods expressed on former postings but I still ultimately try to do what I'm paid for, and that is, teach English. Likewise I have teaching qualifications and enjoy the rewarding feeling when kids actually do learn. Unfortunately a lot of effort seems to go wasted on the kids here- which is why some teachers give up, and get more interested in drinking, and their social life etc....

[humanuspneumos]

Perhaps you come from a culture that says revision instead of review. What I mean is the old-british-style-of-uptightness about words, behavior, and performance in education. People can smell, feel, pick-up-on, sense uptightness 1000 miles away. Psychologists have mentioned that people don't perform or remember well under too much stress. This would give others stress and demotivate them to even listen.

You're laid back with Korean culture- the question is- will you ever get to the place where you and your other will be laid back with fellow-teachers? You're performance driven and I submit to you that there is more than one book, one attitude, one program, one approach to achieving the same goal. The glove has to fit and perhaps your glove doesn't feel comfortable to other teachers. Anyway, a fairly stable psychologist once wrote a book about changing from the inside out. His point- we become demanding creatures to the point that we are hampered by ourselves to be the kind of social creatures we could be. Teachers are first humans seeking social contexts. Deflating the social baloon by insisting on this that and the other thing makes a poor context to learn/want to learn. Demanding drives people away.

You spoke of the importance of relationship on the side of the Korean boss- and I think that many here agree that Koreans can be more sociable in social things than our fellow-citizens back home. That's easy. Why not begin working on the importance of creating the kind of context that co-workers can feel comfortable around you- drop the acting- open the door- share whatever legitimate struggles you had with no heroics at the end of the story or happily ever afters. People warm up to imperfection not perfectionism. Maybe your students warm-up to you because you're Sanguine and it has less to do with teaching (yes, Sanguines have a box full of stickers and goodies to give the kids).

It's going to be sad if one single teacher is fired. I've never been at a place in Korea where a teacher had to be fired more than they had to have a context where they could be socially enticed/drawn to improvements. Those moments usually came at the table where everyone shared struggles. Perhaps your lack of stuggles is pushing everyone away. If you rarely hear people say, "That's a great idea. I'm going to try that." It's an indicator that you have given nobody any reason to feel you are one of them- finite struggling teachers. Again, have you ever thought that it might not come down to your superiority as "Teacher!" as much as a Sanguine temperament? Born that way- not made. Again- it's easy to be born with a temperament. Our temperament can make us delusional about why the outcomes are what they are. Every temperament needs something different to motivate it- there's not only one spoon at the table. Try the- "I'm struggling with this today folk. What are you're opinions?" at work- guaranteed- people will respond. You might even make it as a team.

"The best way to make a friend is to borrow his rake." Sounds like Dale Carnegie stuff. hee hee Hey- wait a minute- is this a "How to Win Friends and Influence People" post? heee hee

[waterbaby]

Austin,

My constructive advice is to first consider how you come across to the other foreign teachers at your school.

In your post, you don't explicitly describe what it is you have to deal with. You just described a situation at your work, not the outcome you hope for. I presume that you are being urged by your boss to have a word with the other foreign teachers about their wicked ways and lack of teaching prowess and to help them to become better teachers?

I find your postings to be welll written and I think you are an intelligent, articulate person, but sadly, they often come across as pompous and arrogant. If you come across like this in person, then little wonder they have no desire to listen to suggestions that are being offered from a "Mr Know-it-all".

Secondly, it's human nature to be defensive and I bet that's how these teachers are reacting to you. It's hard to take constructive criticism from any one, let alone someone you don't like and/or have no respect for.

There is an artform when it comes to giving constructive criticism (which from this post I certainly not mastered it ). Have you ever met someone, been mentored at work or had a brilliant uni tutor who could tear your work to pieces yet you came away from their office feeling like a million bucks as though you'd be highly praised? I've only met a few people like that.

Don't just focus on the bad stuff they're doing. Tell them what they're doing right. I'm sure they're not totally 100% incapable. Even if you have to stretch the truth a little, give them a few compliments on what they're doing well. Suggestions for improvement are much more welcome in this situation rather than just telling someone what they're doing wrong and how to fix/improve it. Hell, even "come down" to their level and ask them for ideas for your classes!

Can you pass information through a third person? Another foreign co-worker or a Korean teacher with good English skills?

Not everyone teaching in Korea has a teaching background (jeez, understatment of the day there WB), nor do they have the inclination to be as dedicated as you - which I imagine is a great source of your frustration. Try and empathise with your co-workers first. Understand that they don't really care about their jobs and aren't looking at teaching in Korea any other way than to make a few bucks. I doubt that you'll be able to change their attitude towards you or teaching in Korea, but hopefully you'll be able to let a little of your wisdom seep through so that it postively affects their teaching performance.

[Austin]

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I know I did not give you much information, so I appreciate the effort.

To clarify a few points, I would not characterize myself as uptight and uneasy, rather I am cautious and deliberate. I am only one voice, and I started at this school after these other foreigners (I do little to impact the work environment, as I tend to keep to myself, except for when my boss has asked me to relay his concerns). I come to work a bit early to plan and create material for my lessons and stay a little late on occasion, most of the others have commented in a derogatory way that I was trying to make them look bad.

My intentions are to prove myself to my employer and create an engaging and fulfilling learning environment for my students. If they feel threatened by my actions, is it not more of an indicator of their insecurities? How can I be to blame for their lack of motivation, when they did not show any prior to my arrival (according to the other teacher and the boss)?

Incompetence is bearable, but when people fail to make changes when the situation has been explained to them, then it becomes inexcusable.

I agree with you that people need to find their own way that works for them, but it has to fit within the confines and structure of our program. No one is demanding anything, rather the situation has been explained and suggestions have been offered. However, their condescending rebuttals make it all to clear that they do not care. Furthermore, I recognize their defensiveness and appreciate their resentment, but that does not change the concerns of my boss.

Now, I am all for reflection, as I do it after every class in hopes of improving my lessons, but are you seriously suggesting that I am somehow at fault for their work ethic?

I am not sure about this "sanguine" thing that you referred to in your post, but I am strongly opposed to using extrinsic motivation in the classroom, as I feel that it serves to harm them in the long run. Therefore, I try to foster intrinsic motivation when I can, so students can feel good about trying or accomplishing something.

Kids are a lot smarter than adults give them credit. I believe that they can sense when adults are genuinely interested in their well being, and I believe that that is why they gravitate toward the other teacher and myself, as opposed to the others. Moreover, outward appearance, attitude, and energy can also influence popularity.

I agree that things would be better if the workplace environment was healthier, but how do you interact sincerely with people that you do not respect?

Again, how is it that I am to blame for other people's incompetence, as you suggested when you stated that my "lack of struggles is pushing everyone away?"

I struggle everyday, but I do not view it in a negative light, as I learn from my experiences.

Is not it possible to solve this situation without befriending my coworkers?

Are you suggesting that I should ask for their opinions when I do not need it to make them feel better about themselves?

How will that improve the bottom line that my boss is concerned with practically all of the time?

Thanks again.

By the way, I am well aware of their motivations for being in Korea, and I am fine that they are far different from my own. However, we were hired to do a job, and if you refuse to do it, should you be entitled to stay?

[Harpeau]

Here are my two cents. Is there a supervisor who works with the boss and gets paid more money? Probably not, right? So, if I were you, I would tell your boss that you will no longer convey anything to the other teachers.

Also, don't feel guilty for staying late, etc. Laugh at them when they make strange comments. Tell them that you aren't getting paid overtime and it makes no difference to yourself if they stayed or left- their job is done for the day, so is yours- you tell them that your staying out of choice. No worries.

It may seem strange to you, but I would suggest not abandoning yourself. What I mean is, don't try to go out of your way to make anybody happy. Do your job, and enjoy the one guy that you do hang out with. Out of site, out of mind.

The other thing, don't be afraid of getting fired. All of this worry is BS. You don't need it. You don't want to do your boss's dirty work. If he insists that you do it, then demand a crapload of extra-money. Trust me, just because you're a good teacher, doesn't mean that you want to get between your boss and these other teachers. Trust me, you don't. It's not worth the headach. Just laugh it off and walk away.

Just my thoughts for what they're worth.

Take care,
Harpeau