Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thursdays child]

So, 'someone' is coming to observe my high school class 'sometime'. That's cool with me. But, my school has gone completely crazy about it! I got the principal and people in suits I've never even seen before breathing down my neck about what a 'big deal' this is. I was just planning on carrying on as usual - i think my classes are up to scratch. But i've got to submit lesson plans to people wo can't read English, I've even been asked 'what are you going to wear?'.

Should I believe the hype?

I'm only slightly concerned about the lack of 'team' in my team. My co-workers are avoiding me coz none of them want to do it with me!

Ah, bit of fun eh?

[Octavius Hite]

I also have to do this presentation but I have long since learned to ignore Koreans when they try to tell me how to do my job. I know my presentation date (October 25) so you should ask them what date yours is and then tell them to back off. I told my school I wasn't even thinking about it until early october. You just need to firm and pleasant and assure them that you will have it ready but on your schedule.

[sarahsarah]

Yep, my presentation is on October 18th. I'm not sweating it though because I did something similar a bit earlier this year and it wasn't a big deal, but it was for the teachers at my school as opposed to the government type folk.

However...the Korean teacher at my school did a presentation today for our city school board and it was a HUGE thing. Everybody in suits, a tea ceremony (we have a special tea ceremony room in our school), school tour, etc. I personally think my school just likes to show off, but yeah. I wonder if it's gonna be the same for my presentation.

I was told yesterday that the head guy in charge of all foreign teacher types of things in Gyeonggi-do will be the one doing the observing at my school. Eep!

[ilovebdt]

I have to do one of these aswell. Nobody seems that bothered about it although they did draw straws to see who would do the open class with me.

[thursdays child]

Yep, I think my princiapal thinks it's a time for showing off too.

But, I've just been told that I HAVE to do the class with the lowest level (and my school is'nt for smart kids) who don't read and have serious behaviour problems (i'm sure they all have genuine conditions - so I'm not hard on them)...... so ..... It just 'beeps' me off that noone has given a damn about what i do until now!

[magicwolfman]

I am doing it as well. I am excited to say the least

[antoniothegreat]

i think 100 of us have to do this. isnt it amazing that we have no choice to do this "it is in our contracts..." but yet we all happen to have the youngest and newest coteacher doing it with us... so no one else wants to do it. it just doesnt make sense, if it is such a big deal, then why have the least experienced teacher do it?

[changmee]

My class observation will be on October 24th. My co-teacher asked what I will be teaching and is preparing the lesson plan, powerpoint slides, and other supplimental materials. No one else in admin has bothered me about it.

My co-teacher told me that they are not actually observing the foreign teacher, rather they are observing how the "co-teachers" participate in the class. I don't think foreign teachers have much to worry about.

[JacktheCat]

I've got mine the beginning of Nov. No big deal, and my school has left all the planning for it in my hands.

Only strange thing is that they are supposed to be a "co-teacher" demo lessons and I don't have a co-teacher, I teach all my classes solo.

I'll have to shanghai one of the Korean teachers at my school and train them up quick for the demo lesson. Kind of a pain in the arse for just a one shot lesson.

[crazylemongirl]

I got out of mine this year even though I have one in my contact. Wooooooooohooooooooo! Things to remember:

1. These things aren't about the teaching merely the apperance of. Expect you school to want you to reherse these things to death.

2. Power point is a must.

3. Have some little gimmick or activity for your class so that you are remembered. I burnt a copy of my teaching materials onto to CD for them to be given out.

4. Dress very professionally that day.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Mine is Oct 4. I guess you can all relax. You'll look good compared to me.

My co-teacher came over to my desk yesterday, all in a lather about it. She said, "Can you teach this for ten minutes?" I looked at it. It said: What's going on? I said I can teach it in one minute. She said it had to be ten minutes. I said, Well, give me some time to think up something.

She was back today with a typed out lesson plan. I said, Aren't we just doing what we usually do? She said no. We have to change everything and impress them. I said, You mean lie to them? She said, Yes.



I'm trying to work up the nerve to ask if the other teachers will hide their love sticks when the observers come.

[TheUrbanMyth]

Is this just for high schools? Because no one has mentioned this to me. Then again that doesn't mean anything as they (until I informed them) didn't know that I needed an E-2 visa to teach English.

[JacktheCat]

[Bulsajo]

[antoniothegreat]

Jack the cat, you said you dont have a coteacher? have some fun then, plan it by yourself, and do it alone. Then wait for one of the bigwigs to ask you who/where your coteacher is and tell them your school makes you teach alone. That should be interesting.