Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jacl]

[fusionbarnone]

Sorry to read about your foray into Korean public school education.

When I taught in Korea(60+ schools) my role was basically a talking practice punch/bunch dummy. Teachers(few of them) generally didn't see me in the same league as "real" teachers and to a degree they were correct(at that time only).

Point I'm trying to make, I did the very same thing staying until 9pm(seven days) and coming in Sat/Sun scouring the internet/procuring/studying Methodology-related textbooks. My going-office-native earned me some encouraging lip-service though(to encourage one on to intensify efforts even more) which I learnt later was a cost effective means to make you work harder without expending any resources or energy of their own.

You must draw the line as to how much you will do. Korean teachers will "ride you like a dime-store pony"(excuse the comparison) if you allow it. This will go against your values as an education professional but you'll have to learn to value your time as a first resort(for both your self-respect and your sanity). Usary is past-time number one so, if anyone says "can you do me a favor?"; run. The end game was already planned without you(possibly over a number of weeks) only a verbal acknowledgement is now required.

It is my contention Koreans generally view native speakers as all cut of the same cloth(courtesy of those "esl" pros who gave the profession/teaching a bad name in Korea) devaluing real teaching professionals in the process.

With only 24 hours in a day there will never be enough for Korean friends/co-workers to run you ragged with up until the time your contract terminates. Thus, readying a stock of "time buying" strategies whilst scoping an exit is one means. Just saying you'll see(Koreans say OK, OK, etc, etc). Not understanding "their" Englishee is convenient too.

Your contributions could be more valuable than you think also. If PHD's can be bought or convened(do me a favor system) it wouldn't surprise me if your "work" isn't about to find it's way into a publishers office. Plaguirism/ownership via possession is all the rave on the ROK.

I"ve also had a mid-school teacher "use" me during one of my classes to give "their" demonstration lesson before an examiner(the tactics to avoid "conflict" never ceased to amaze me).

I remember one old coot having given me a lift to my starting school argued like hell for me to teach the after school teachers class even though the vice-Principal. I (thinking like a concerned "pro") failed to run fast enough even though having been given the exit. I still remember the smirk on the old codger's face when the vice-principal waivered. Avoid the loyalty program set out by no-bodies(pay respect to the big-shots only) they'll do didly-squat for you(outside lip-service).

If these teachers had done there jobs(there are some extremely dedicated teachers alas a minority, but a real pleasure once you get to
know them). As an aside; I knew one really dedicated Korean English teacher considered a trouble maker by other Korean public school teachers because she wouldn't tow the BS line(they excluded her, or, tried too, from ESL orientated events.

Korea would not have taken the initiative towards improving English proficiency inside public schools outside of EPIK(token native speaker fairy-dust exposure) if the status que had proved effective. Try not to allow yourself to be used..

[fusionbarnone]

BTW sorry about the typos.

[schwa]

I've worked in public schools here 4 & a half years & no one has tried to seriously jerk me around yet.

I think the key is to identify your core work & to deliver it week-in week-out well enough that it cant be criticized. Then extra duties become acceptable or not based on whether they will infringe on your primary duties. This has led to discussion but never argument with my supervisors & co-teachers.

Some extra stuff, on occasion, has simply been unavoidable. I'd do the best I could within my time constraints & sometimes it was slapdash but theres no sense stressing out -- tefl aint brain surgery.

Sometimes I've worked a few hours outside 9 to 5 (non-contact) but I have never spoken the word "overtime" to my boss. But I'm not above letting him know I put in the extra time. Considerable rewards have accrued indirectly, in terms of extra cash opportunities, time off, & maybe most importantly, autonomy.

It may seem counterintuitive (hey, good adjective for Korea!) but I actively seek new teaching challenges outside my job description, arrange them myself, & inform my supervisor afterwards. In the last month I volunteered both an in-school demo class & a seminar for some 50 teachers. I've undertaken elementary school visits in the past (just for fun), & I'm on to visit a girls highschool class next week.

All within my usual 9 to 5. Because I want to give good value & I'm having fun in my work, & therefore my supervisor doesnt want to mess up a good thing with useless busy-work. Scripted lesson plans are crap.

First year in the system might well be tough. If youre only here for a year, strive to be nice -- whoever follows you will have reason to be grateful.

[Karabeara]

Well, we gave our class, and ALMOST NOBODY CAME!

After our administration telling us that we could expect up to 100 guests, including several government people, only about 3 teachers came, and NO government people that we could see. What a horrible waste of time!

My school had decorated, and made the students clean EVERYTHING twice in anticipation for this. They even blocked off a special parking area.

What a load of crap.

[SPINOZA]

I've not been here long, but I think this kind of daft, irritating scenario would be unthinkable at my PS. Stuff pi55es me off occasionally but rarely, if at all, to the point that situations/people are just ridiculously unreasonable. Sorry to hear about your sh1te do, Karabeara.

[ilovebdt]

[JacktheCat]

[keninseoul]

but you are definitely worse off

but I think the whole public school systems, esp regarding English, is a total joke. You guys started "team"-teaching?

I used to think public schools would be better than hagwons, but soon changed my mind. This is my last year in public schools!!!!!!

[Prince Frog]