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Public School teachers: support group
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littledigits1



Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: korea

PostPosted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:52 pm    Post subject: Public School teachers: support group Reply with quote

Hi,

I've been teaching at a public middle school in Seoul and was wondering if they're all like this.

When I describe the school, many have told me that my school's particularly bad but a few have said it's all the same. Is that true?

I find that I get little to no support from the Korean co-teachers. And because we are the only native speaker in our schools we become isolated and have no one to bounce ideas from. And the work becomes doubly hard.

Since I'm part-time I don't have permission to grade the kids which makes controlling them very difficult. The kids don't feel the need to pay any attention and I don't really blame them.

I'm thinking of switching to full time. Is this a wise decision? What are the disadvantages?

I will also be meeting some public school teachers where we will relay our experiences and have a free exchange of ideas and resources. If you are interested in attending then reply here or PM me.

Cheers
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Yu_Bum_suk



Joined: 25 Dec 2004

PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No, they're not all like that. Middle schools are more similar throughout the country, with one of the biggest factors being class size. I work at a smaller MS and the support from the Korean teachers is excellent, except with one rookie co-teacher who has to rely on my help more than I on hers.

High schools vary tremendously.
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butlerian



Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll be at Platinum on Saturday evening having a buffet and homebrew (see http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?p=957991#957991) Hopefully see a few other middle school teachers there.
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TheUrbanMyth



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired

PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:12 am    Post subject: Re: Public School teachers: support group Reply with quote

littledigits1 wrote:
Hi,

I've been teaching at a public middle school in Seoul and was wondering if they're all like this.

When I describe the school, many have told me that my school's particularly bad but a few have said it's all the same. Is that true?

I find that I get little to no support from the Korean co-teachers. And because we are the only native speaker in our schools we become isolated and have no one to bounce ideas from. And the work becomes doubly hard.

Since I'm part-time I don't have permission to grade the kids which makes controlling them very difficult. The kids don't feel the need to pay any attention and I don't really blame them.

I'm thinking of switching to full time. Is this a wise decision? What are the disadvantages?

I will also be meeting some public school teachers where we will relay our experiences and have a free exchange of ideas and resources. If you are interested in attending then reply here or PM me.

Cheers


You have to set boundaries. Were I you I would tell them. "Look it's this way. You can pay attention...or you can do wall squats and pushups. It's your choice. If you want to act like adults then I will treat you like adults (once in a while bring in snacks and drinks) if you want to act like little children, then I will treat you like little children."

It may sound harsh...but I've never had it not work.
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xtchr



Joined: 23 Nov 2004

PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 4:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is your support group a 12 step programme?
"HI, I'm Xtchr, and I'm a publicschoolaholic"


But to answer your question, I don't understand what you mean by part-time at a public school.
Even if you go full-time it's likely that you won't have much input into grading the students. It does happen at some schools, but very rarely from what I understand.
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BrianInSuwon



Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is a Yahoo group for the Native English teachers that teach at public schools in Korea.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gepik/

You need to join the group. You must write an email to the moderator and "prove" that you are a native english teacher at a public school.
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littledigits1



Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: korea

PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Is your support group a 12 step programme?
"HI, I'm Xtchr, and I'm a publicschoolaholic"


Twelve step programmes are for addictions. As far as I know there aren't any teachers addicted to public schools. In fact, the contrary seems to be the case.

Like I said the support group is to help each other out with questions or difficulties.

Quote:
Even if you go full-time it's likely that you won't have much input into grading the students. It does happen at some schools, but very rarely from what I understand.


Does anybody actually know?
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littledigits1



Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: korea

PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

BrianInSuwon wrote:
There is a Yahoo group for the Native English teachers that teach at public schools in Korea.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gepik/

You need to join the group. You must write an email to the moderator and "prove" that you are a native english teacher at a public school.



it's a GEPIK group.

have been getting some good feedback for a public school teacher pow-wow. just in time for the kids finals. does anybody have time off during the day next week? i do. Boo-Ya!

if you do lemme know. we can probably set something up sometime next week. if anyone has any ideas of a good place, don't be shy.

trying to accommodate out-of-towners so we'll keep it close to the weekend.

you can continue to PM me or post it on my "Public School Teachers: Support Group." will be checking both. but be sure to let me know by Wednesday.

CYa
_________________
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xtchr



Joined: 23 Nov 2004

PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

[quote="littledigits1"]
Quote:
Is your support group a 12 step programme?
"HI, I'm Xtchr, and I'm a publicschoolaholic"


Twelve step programmes are for addictions. As far as I know there aren't any teachers addicted to public schools. In fact, the contrary seems to be the case.

Like I said the support group is to help each other out with questions or difficulties.

quote]

Yes, I know. It was a pathetic attempt at a joke. I've just always associated the words 'support group' with Alcoholics Anonymous. For some reason it's always the first thing that comes to mind.
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butlerian



Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi, if possible try to come to Seoul tomorrow, I'll be at the Platinum restaurant in Gangnam tomorrow from 6pm. If you have any trouble getting there, contact me by pm. I'm a middle school teacher so I'm sure we can help each other out a bit. Cheers.
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littledigits1



Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: korea

PostPosted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey Butterlian,

Live in Chungcheonnamdo, huh? Can you make it here next weekend? I'm trying to keep the group small for this 1rst meeting. With a few of us I think we'll be comfortably able to discuss things of interest to all and it'll be a good way to establish some sort of network. If everyone's in agreement we will probably make this a regular occurrence.

Cheers
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butlerian



Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

littledigits1 wrote:
Hey Butterlian,

Live in Chungcheonnamdo, huh? Can you make it here next weekend? I'm trying to keep the group small for this 1rst meeting. With a few of us I think we'll be comfortably able to discuss things of interest to all and it'll be a good way to establish some sort of network. If everyone's in agreement we will probably make this a regular occurrence.

Cheers


Let me know where and also what time at the weekend and I'll let you know if I can make it. Thanks.
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littledigits1



Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: korea

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:51 am    Post subject: Meeting at Kangnam Station Saturday afternoon Reply with quote

Okay, the meeting's finally set for this coming Saturday at 2 pm.

We will first meet up at Kangnam station exit 7 at the bottom of the stairs. We will then run to Captain Cooks where there will probably already be a line but the Carbonara's good.

I've never been there in the afternoon so I'm not sure how noisy it will be. If it is too noisy we'll go to a coffee shop instead.

Again, for all public school teachers whether novice or veteran, you are welcome to chat and find support for the new year. Also it would be helpful to prepare some specific questions before coming.

RSVP at my PM with your cell numbers.

See y'all then
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butlerian



Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

As much as I love Gangnam (mainly due to Platinum restaurant, but also because of many others), I won't be able to make it this week as I've promised to play soccer for the Hongju public school teachers team at 2:30pm. I hope the meeting is a success.
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littledigits1



Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: korea

PostPosted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's too bad. We were looking forward to meeting you. But it's tough trying to get any number of people together especially when everyone seems to be so spread across the Korean map.

I believe all the Seoul residents will be attending though. Perhaps you will be able to make the next one.

Cheers
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