Korean Job Discussion Forums

[plattwaz]

I always give the same response -- and I do believe that it is true:

"Yes, a few of the students found yesterday's class boring. However, most of them enjoyed it. They're children, and it is impossible to please all of them all of the time. Some days some children will find class exciting and fun, while others will not. I balance out each class with a mixture of games, activities, and seat work, and balance out each week with a mixture of phonics, vocabulary, and speaking/listening activities. This way all of the children's learning styles and needs are covered. How about you observe several of my classes next week, and then we can talk more and together come up with some ways that I can improve using your suggestions and feedback?"

Keeping in mind that everything I said is true - each class is balanced in activities and each week is balanced in what I cover. When suggesting that the person involved observe my classes, I am sincere about it, and make sure that I will NOT stand for just ONE short observation and then be TOLD what to do -- this is a full deal.....you come to several hours of my classes over a week, and then TOGETHER we come up with areas that can improve to make classes better for the students.

Chances are, either they will come to your classes, and you can get some good feedback (and don't stand for "Make it more exciting" - look for more specifics), OR the teacher will not want to come to your class and the whole complaint will get dropped because it suddenly involves more work on her part, all for the sake of one 5 year old. It will also help you, because you are forced to look at your class time more critically, and for that week, at least, you will prepare your arse off!

The key is, as I said, in being sincere when inviting the head teacher and/or director to observe. Set an observation schedule ahead of time, and a specific date and time to meet to discuss it again.

[TOGirl]

Thanks for the advice. Today I changed the format of my classes and did some more "exciting" stuff, and the other English teacher came and observed the class which has the "complainer" in it.

She didn't comment on my class yet as she had a class to teach after, so I will find out tomorrow.

The problem I see is that the Director comes to school for like a few hours a week and thats it...I can go a week without seeing her. This leaves the school being run by the most senior teachers in like a group effort with no clear leader.

As it goes the 2 teachers that have been there longest and are friends are the ones that said my class wasn't exciting enough. For one of the classes I did different stuff and it was ok, for the other it was a complete nightmare. The kids are 5 years old and as soon as the korean teacher leaves the room all hell breaks loose. When I asked for her help she just tells the kids to be quiet and listen to me and says ok go ahead and leaves the room again, which changes absolutely nothing.

I am going to suggest if she wants excitement that perhaps she could stay in the classroom. I guess she will either stay or realize that running around games are sometimes too much for certain classes.

It just sucks cause everyone knows about this "problem" and its become a bigger deal than I think it needs to be. Uugh.

[Tiny_Tibbo]

Hey TO Girl,

I completly understand I went through the same thing. Trying the best I could with no guidance whatsoever and having to hear ridiculous complaints with no possible solutions offered. One thing I learned in Korea was how to bite my tongue, dust off my shoulder and get back to what I was trying to do. Basically if 95% of the kids love you everything will be fine. Just enjoy teaching the kids as much as possible and anytime you hear an uncalled for comment about your teaching efforts just think "In one week/month/year or five, ten years from now, will this really matter?"....

[krisinkorea]

If you have play time at your school with your 5 year olds it's the easiest thing in the world to control them. Write their names on the board and give them a check mark for each time they talk or play. Tell them repeatedlly it's not "Play time" ...It's story time or snack time or class time. After 3 check marks, no play time. No play time is like going to jail for my 5 year olds, that's why I love teaching them. If that doesn't work and they are still not listening...make them sit with their heads down for 20 minutes. Half of the time they fall asleep if they have to sit with their heads down which is a reminder that they are all wound up and need a nap because they really are only five.

It works with all of our kindy classes. It's better than yelling and stressing yourself out.

[teachingld2004]

I have found out that the parents who complain usually:

Have children who are spoiled brats.

Have children who have no clue what is going on in ANY class.

Have children who had been put in the wrong class because of many reason: The childs friend was in that class, or that was the only time the child could come. (because they had art, music, sports, math...or.....)

Children here have a zillion things to do, and they are not allowed to be children. They must finish the book fast, because that is the schedule. They must parrot what the teacher says: who cares if they understand or not.

One parent wants home work, one parent does not.

Relax.Lots of times when a K.teacher says "the parents complained", NO ONE has complained.

HEy, I have met lots of great K. teachers who get blamed by the parents/directors when they kids do not understand, or they behave like animals. FOreign teachers get blamed, K. teachers get blamed....

Wish I could take my own advice and chill out. I get in trouble with my big mouth all the time. When I do extra work (like always) no one notices, but if I make one mistake all hell breaks loose.

Anyway, my hand hurts and the medicine is kicking in. (arthritis in the hand)

[TOGirl]

I really feel like I'm going to scream. I have completely changed my classes to games and singing and being crazy and excited. The Korean english teacher observed and said I need to be more excited and jumping around more.

Seriously, I understand that kindergarten should be fun but to be more excited I would have to take speed or something.

On top of that they have said that I must now create my own curriculum and lesson plans one month in advance, pretty much out of thin air.

I'm really wondering if they realize that I am not a qualifed teacher and doing this is a little difficult, especially over night.

I really feel like telling them that if they want a qualifed teacher who specializes in kindy then they should shell some more cash out and find one.

Ok, am done venting, thanks for listening to my rant.

[rothkowitz]

I know one kindy teacher who'd go in with a big bottle of half coke,half soju mix.She was all over the place.

Kids loved her.

[ella]

Apologies for the threadjack, but teachers aren't allowed to eat in class? That's no problem if I have a break between classes but if I don't eat every two hours I pass out. Is rule specific to that hogwan or is it the generally accepted standard?

[Son Deureo!]

It's normal to have at least a 5 or 10 minute break between classes.

Ever seen sharks in a feeding frenzy? Unless you are planning on sharing with your students (i.e. holding a snack party), I don't recommend eating in front of them in class.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[C.M.]

[jacl]

Block this jerk of a teacher out of your conscience. She shouldn't be jerking you around like that. Just tell her "That's nice" or "That's too bad". Don't pay attention to her. You were hired under contract to do what you do and what you do is basically none of her business. It's your class, so do what you want. If they don't like it then they can fire you. Tell her to mind her own business. You don't go around telling her what to do. Remember, you're the expert here, not her.

You're getting harrassed a little. There's a commication problem and it's being taken advantage of. The position you're in is one of figuring things out on your own. These teachers don't know what they're doing more than you do. It's easier for them to control the kids because they speak the same language.

On the other hand, it sounds like this is your first teaching experience. Kindergarten is basically a hassle. I'd seriously consider looking for another job and/or letting your current employer know about your current situation and how you don't like being bothered by the other teachers. That you don't want to hear their criticisms. I don't think this is a case of being able to take criticism. Not sure.

I'd go for a job where you're teaching elementary and/or middle school. Some people enjoy kindergarten, but it might not be for you. I seriously don't understand why people that don't like teaching kindy teach it when it's not necessary to in Korea. Other countries, like Taiwan, it's pretty much unavoidable if you want to make anything near decent salary wise.

I could be wrong about your being fit for kindergarten, but I'm not wrong in my assessment that you should be standing up somewhat to these teachers. One important trait to have when teaching here is confidence. One way confidence is gained is by letting your co-workers know that it's your class and you'll teach it in the method you see fit.

Sounds now like she's got you dancing around like a monkey. Don't show these people weakness. Once your down, they continue to beat on you.

[babtangee]

jacl is undoubtedly spot on. The cow will be ragging on you even if your kids are speaking English fluently in 2 months. Why? Someone's probably ragging on her and now it's payback time, baby - and you're the one copping it cause you seem so nice and sweet (= weak).

Ignore the bully! Don't feed her ego. Complain to the boss about her. Make offhand comments about her poor English (ask her if she is still taking English lessons or something, if you want to be subtle).

Most important thing: get the kids on your side. They have to love you. If the kids love you, and 50% of the parents are commenting on how much they love you, the mean and nasty head teacher has no power against you. The boss will ignore her comments in favour of those coming from the parents.

How to get the kids on your side?

1. Like Myth said, solid, structured classes full of fun and varied activities.
2. Positive, not negative, reinforcement. Utilize the competitiveness that their insane parents are drumming into these poor kids:

With my elementary classes I pit them class against class. Each class has a team name and a team leader who safeguards their sticker chart (I keep records of how many stickers they have to prevent cheating). The class is awarded stickers for studying and doing as they are told. They lose stickers for speaking the dreaded Korean language - they do not lose stickers for being little shits, but they sure as hell won't score any extra ones. At the end of the month the class with the most stickers wins a big box of greasy ass chicken. My elementary kids almost never speak Korean in class now, and when they do they get the beatdown something severe from their peers.

With my kinder class I pit them student against student. There's a sticker chart on the wall with everyone's name on it. Those who participate in an activity score a sticker. Those who don't... don't. I give out stacks of stickers in this class (elementary kids get an average of four per class - I spend a small fortune in stickers on the one kinder class). They get very excited. At the beginning of the class, if they say "Teacher, may I have a sticker please", I may give them one, or I may say, "No, you may not," - depending on how bad my hangover is at the time. Regardless, they give it a shot every day. Cause they want them damn stickers! And it ain't so much about the crummy little prize the three top sticker earners get at the end of the week; it's about showing all their classmates they are top dog, and taking their strip of stickers home to mum and saying, "Look, I am the best (this week)!"

The kid is happy, mum is very happy, and you are king of the hill.

I have a head teacher who wanted to mold me into her own little protege/scapegoat. "No, thanks," said I, and went about showing her that the kids would much rather she be more like me - and if the kids wish that, the parents will too; and the head teacher will know not to get in your way.

Good luck. Don't be pushed around. Don't misinterpret your head teacher's actions as an attempt to "help" you. She is not trying to help you. She would probably believe she is trying to help you. She's is infact quite unconsciously being a malicious bitch. You don't deserve that crap.