Korean Job Discussion Forums

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

How do you feel about open classes? By open classes I mean classes where the parents sit in on the class. I never had these at my old hagwan job. At my new (non-hagwan) job.. EVERY elementary class is an open class. There are about 3 mothers on average in each of my classes, sometimes more. I think some of these mothers are secretly learning too.. dastardly knowledge thieves..

I've found that my classes are totally different now. In the past they were a lot more fun with more joking around and laughter; now I'm more self-conscious, and don't want the parents to think I'm just playing around instead of teaching. I'd say my classes are slightly more effective, though not an awful lot.

My popularity with the students here is probably the same as at my old hagwan. Discipline issues are a thing of the past with all these mothers around which is kind of nice. My lessons are planned a lot better too - though that is probably partly to do with only having 16 classes instead of 37 a week; rather than the pressure of being watched.

I think if i'd known that parents would be observing my classes before I took the job I would have definitely had second thoughts. But its not as bad as I would have imagined..

Another thing, I also find my classes are observed regularly. About 50% of my classes my superviser is present for at least some of the class. The reason she is there though is mainly to avoid the office/working, and perhaps to learn a bit more english.. it was a bit unnerving at first though.

Anyone else have regular open classes? Anyone hate the idea?

-HE

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:49 pm Post subject:

Well, if you look like your avatar, I can understand why they might be concerned. Get a haircut. Put on some make-up. Find some new eyeballs.....

Seriously though, BBE is good, and he knows it. He strives off of having visitors in class. They love it, and it only makes BBE look good. I am gay, but I cannot imagine a straight guy arguing with having hot looking MILFs in his class.

antoniothegreat · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Location: Yangpyeong

i dont know if it would bother me, but i think they are there just for a free English lesson. ask if they go to other classes. If they only go to yours, I would kick them out, since then they are just there for the lesson.

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I know it would be nerve wracking as hell for the first while, till I got used to it. But if if keeps the kids from acting like zoo animals and makes it possible to actually teach something.......... I'd welcome the idea. Idea

But that is of course until the first complaint came from a mother who didn't like something I did in class. Evil or Very Mad

If that starts happening, and it probably will, life could be pretty difficult for you. Confused

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Your classes are free? What's up with that?

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Probably means that the mothers don't pay to sit in on the class...that would rather defeat the purpose of 'open' classes.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

Wow...I think that would be a bit of a nightmare. Perhaps even worse than the video camera crap I had at my hagwon.

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Cool.

How did you get that job? (if it's OK to ask)

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005