Korean Job Discussion Forums

Francis-Pax · Joined: 20 Nov 2005

I do not pay for anything related to my school. All teaching materials should be purchased by the school. In my opinion, the teacher has no obligation to provide teaching and learning materials for the school or its students. If a teacher decides to purchase something out of their own pocket, it's purely an act of charity, not duty.

capebretoncanadian · Joined: 20 Feb 2005

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

To Qinella:

Man your avatar should have a warning on it. " The lights and movement can cause seizures." It is blinding.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I used to spend a couple thousand won here and there for treats and rewards in class. It goes a long way in terms of behavior and participation in class I found.

muggie2dammit · Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Location: Ilsan, Korea

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

I only buy what I imediatly use. Crayons and small things that save my sanity. Cookies/Candy no way, the amount of sugar these kids get is mind bogling I don't need them to bounce off walls any more then I have too.

I don't spend squat on decor or supplies, no need, school is good about geting stuff and two I am like a giant ad they use me so I use them its a symbiotic parasite relationship.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

I don't buy gifts or rewards for my students. But I do spend money on things that I create myself such as having board games printed and posters made. Also at least once a semester I buy a resource book in order to supplement my classes over time I've built up quite the library.

Recently I picked up a few archie comics and graded readers to lend out to students who are interested. Finally, this semester I had a contest where the prize was an advanced learners dictionary. This didn't cost me anything as I had recieved it free at last years KOTESOL conference.

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 10:11 pm Post subject:

My advice would not to waste your money on candy or food. Ok, 'waste' may not be the best word...but that hard earned money could be spent better.

If you start the candy and food system the students will come to expect it, and where does that leave you?

The only time I spent any money related to food was after a set time-frame (no less than 1 month...and that was just for my <legal> private classes). Food normally was only for end-of-semester/special event.

Instead, I spent that money on REUSABLE items...such as games and activities that I usually had to buy online. This was for them AND me. These purchases not only got them excited to learn/reinforce/use English, it helped make my time with them more enjoyable (and kill time when needed).

It's ok to spend your money on classroom items....as long as you keep these items when you leave. Oh, and as long as you stay here for more than a few more months...these types of purchases will pay for themselves.

!Shoosh

Ryst

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

I would say I spend about 350,000 a year on my job. A lot of that includes books.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I have to say that spending W20,000 on glitter glue pens and chocolate bars for whoever's card has the most English on it has been completely worth it - 30 happy girls all folding and cuting and colouring away (if not actually writing that much in English, lol).

A little hint, if you're doing Christmas craft activities. Turn on some Christmas carols at a low volume while they're doing them. It has a wonderful calming effect, and many of them will start singing along to the tunes they know.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

I'm an extreme case (probably because I'm a compulsive gambler/spender by nature...) I thought that teaching public high school students meant that I would no longer shell out big won on candy, stickers (even ice cream practically every summer day when I was at a small hogwan). I've also bought many videos and DVDs and all kinds of games and teaching materials - most of which I left behind at the two hogwans I've worked at. (The second one had never had a native English teacher and was practically devoid of teaching materials when I got there; and my first hogwan was well-equipped - but was located next door to an "ESL supplies" store that had all the latest magnetic displays and elaborate games I couldn't resist. I probably averaged spending about fifty bucks a week while at those hogwans.

At my (technical) high school, I started out OK (my only extra spending was on snacks for Korean teachers sharing the same office) Last summer, though, I started getting candy for the smaller "special" classes, and I bought two packs each of "Go Fish" and "Crazy Eights" (School Zone brand) for my lower-level classes. They were so much into the candy that they clamored for it once the regular classes started started , and word spread that I sometimes gave out candy. And this term I have four evening classes of 25 six-to-ten year-olds that I've been getting a lot of candy, stickers, posters, games, etc. for. A couple of the kids couldn't afford to buy Lets Go I, so rather than go through the hassle of making copies (especially since colors are important) I went ahead and bought some for them. I'm probably back up to spending about thirty bucks a week on the average...