Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Qinella]

At my academy, I share a small office with two Korean teachers. One of them is new, and before she arrived, the previous teacher and the other one would typically speak English to each other unless there was a misunderstanding or something that needed to be explained in more detail than their English would allow. Outside of class, they'd speak English to the students for things that the students could readily understand, and Korean for the things they hadn't learned yet.

Now that the new teacher has arrived, all of the in-office exchanges that aren't directed at me occur in Korean. 100%. * When all three of us teachers are having a conversation together, they still speak Korean to each other, but English to me. Other times, they'll talk about me or things that are important to me (such as affairs with the academy, schedulilng, parents, a story I'd told one of them, something I said, etc.) and again, conduct the conversations in Korean. My Korean level is still such that understanding natural dialogue between two native speakers is difficult, which leaves me in the uncomfortable situation of being informed only of things they deem necessary for me to know, or what bits I can pull from the conversations.

As for their classrooms, I have no idea how much English is taking place. I can only guess. I suggested the other day that they should speak English to the students when possible because this is the only chance the kids really have to practice it in a meaningful way. That suggestion has yielded no change. Even basic questions like "Did you eat lunch yet?" are delivered in English, to my disappointment.

In any event, I'm happy to be heading out this Thursday. The next place I'll work has said they have a mandatory English rule for students and teachers, which will be nice.

So I'm curious about others' situations. Please feel free to share.

Q.


* Now that I think about it, the new teacher is actually a returning teacher who taught here before I came. If this was the language culture she established when here previously, it's no wonder the students' ability levels were so dismal when I arrived. I remember my first week here, I was stunned that some "intermediate" students couldn't tell me what time it was or what they'd done that weekend. Ai gu.

[Corporal]

They have always spoken in Korean unless, as you say, it was directed towards the foreigner, or if they were trying to be cute--two or three sentences, followed by giggles at their own foolishness and an immediate reversion to their native language.

You'd think they'd realize that their English can only improve if they use each other for practice, but it never seemed to happen.

[Qinella]

56 views, 3 votes.

This may turn out to be the most unsuccessful poll ever.

[captain kirk]

Man, are things tightening up at our haggie. They installed a bell today so that teachers and students will be in position on time. No doubt about it. No loopholes like different clocks reading different times in different classrooms.

So back when we had holes, hours here and there before this increased effeciency has drawn more students, the K teachers would speak in Korean a mile a minute for an hour after lunch. In the staffroom picking up speak and velocity until they would all be speaking at once, practically, and you'd think they'd all flip off their speeding carousel and fly off into space, jabbering away as they were.

[jacl]

I say let 'em do whatever they like. Not your problem.

[Qinella]

[fatpat]

It really drives me mad when I can hear my name in their conversation and I am sat right next to them. They could at least talk about me behind my back!

[jacl]

[ontheway]

Hello Q,

I had to vote other. There are no Korean teachers at my hogwan. We do have many children of Korean English teachers as our students and occasionally, a Korean English teacher will sign up for an adult class.

[semphoon]

In school my K co-workers speak Korean all the time. If I am having lunch with them, they speak in Korean and I eat.

The kids are only called their English name in my class. Otherwise, it Korean all the way.

[Jellypah]

My co-workers only speak Korean, and since I'm the only foreign teacher at the school, it makes me feel pretty lonesome. Even when we're having a conversation, they will ALWAYS revert back to Korean. I agree with the poster who noted that they'd be better off using each other (and me) to practice their English.
As it is, their ability is pretty low, and they all have confidence issues. I try my best to be patient, but when they're trying to tell me something at school, it's between our ten minute breaks, and they're all unsure about what they're trying to say,...and I often have to go to the washroom or make a couple photocopies. I wonder if my wishing they could just say it, even if it isn't gramatically correct, seeps out and further messes with their confidence.
We used to eat lunch together. The food was delicious, but I was so relieved when that ended because I would spend the whole meal in silence while everyone else talked on and on and on. It really made me feel alienated.
The kids are supposed to speak only English in class, and some of the teachers enforce that more than others, but that usually means that the kids are silent while they listen to the teacher explain things in Korean with a smattering of English.
What can I expect, though, working with a former hairdresser and a Japanese major, to name a couple.

[chinook]

When I taught at Poly, the only Korean ever spoken to students was in preschool classes, as the kids were completely new to English. Even that was basic and didn't go on long.

The Korean teachers had a different staff room than the foreign teachers. They would speak English to us when required, but as I didn't teach kindie or preschool, I didn't personally interact with them much.

At lunches, everyone would speak Korean, including some Korean-Canadians who could speak English perfectly. It was very isolating, and I was always a little surprised that it never occured to anyone to not do it, at least some of the time.

[pest2]

I am the only foreign teacher at my school. Actually the school is pretty good and some of the best English speakers in the area attend. We have the "English only" policy for our classroom and it works great. Before we implemented it, the kids could be difficult to control but now its pretty easy. Points, prizes, and English only....

Now, the Korean teachers, on the other hand, do not ever speak English unless they want to ask me something about work. 2 of the 3 of them lived in USA for at least a few years so they can function using English. Alas, the language is such a big part of thier identity as Koreans I think they just won't use anything else.

At first, I tried to use my limited Korean to understand what they were saying and take part in thier workplace jokes and conversations.. but Im not that good, like the OP... so I just gave up and now I would not consider myself a part of thier "team" in most ways... The fact that we they dont speak a language we can both understand makes it impossible to have any good spirits and the fact that they speak a language we both understand but choose not to means I have no desire to have friendship with them at all... Just counting the days til the contract ends and I leave (Korea).

[Qinella]

[Homer]

Where I am now, they speak in Korean when by themselves on lunch break for example.

During work hours, they speak English.

During class breaks they mix it up (as I do! ).

Heck, they often speak in Korean with me...