Korean Job Discussion Forums

[trubadour]

I am undergoing an experiment at the moment. My boss has been kinda taking the piss since the beinging, it's coming to a head in a minute!

She keeps changing my classes all the time. 'saying oh no, (no 'sorry') your teaching this other class now.' Then i have to teach a completly differrent class with no notice!

I have been really easy going, actually i often enjoy not having to teach one class (they might be a bit crappy i might have not prepared properly- or more often I'm always quite willing to just not do a plan, if I'm unsure if it'll work..). It's ok 'cos I like to be creative on the moment and meet new challenges.

But now its got stupid. One day she changes the classes, one day she lumps two together, and quite often i walk in to be told, by the students (which they enjoy) 'no class today!' for some reason or another. They might be having an exam class or somthing (which means they piss around). So I have to pick my stuff up and walk out again looking really stupid. And this happens often. Now, often the students don't trun up with text books, with note books, with pencils, etc. And after 4 months I'm still having to remind them.

It's partly my lack of experience that I haven't totally cracked down on this before. In sum, its like they totally take the piss. They constantly moan, about being tired and not wanting to do any work, just want to play games, or whatever. Thats ok, they can try it. But it's going to change. They take the p**s out of my and my job, my role. And As I'm getting more experience being the only english teacher in a semi-rural hakwon, I'm not going to take it any more, right?

So today, I'm in the classroom waiting to teach a group. 15 minutes later, they're all lounging around in reception talking to the boss, all having a laugh, while I'm in the classroom keeping myself occupied, getting adjusted to the latest timetable. But s*d it. In the classroom opposite (where she should be teaching) a great student is 'sleeping' becauses he hasn't enough confidence to join the throng in reception. And I'm twiddling my fingers in my classroom. So i've just walked out! I was hungry, and don't see why I shouldn't go get something to eat, if I want....they don't come to my lessons if they've got something else to chat about.

She's going to fly off the handle when I get back! And I'm going to tell her its all her fault!

a) she sets a bad example, by not teaching letting them off all the time.
as a result the students don't repect my lessons. They constantly want to play games. I'm not a childrens entertainer, I'm a teacher. My lessons can be fun, yes. But I have to prepare the games and prepare the lesson content. The fact that she shifts them around all the time puts me in a bad situation and undermines my position as a teacher.

The problem is that i don't communicate! Its my fault!
b) I don't want to look like a fool, standing in the doorway saying 'where are my students!', 'Come along children!' having them all groan or simply ignore me...Like i'm a sad and lonley teacher with no students to listen to him! (so its true! why should I have to act out the part they create for me?)

c) I suppose its a f'in popularity contest, and she wins her side by keeping them happy by letting them off work. At my expense.

d) It's her responsibility to support me as her English teacher, not just use me. She should communicate with me a little bit, its only courtesy.


Anyway, back to the scene - let the shouting match begin!

[andy202]

You sound like a decent person with reasonable expectations, from a civilised country, visiting Korea to earn a bit of money and do a worth while job. Your frustrations will resonate throughout this board; many of us can emphathise, and my contribution is to validate your feelings with a sympathetic reply.

The fact is, we all come to realise, but not necessarily accept, that we are employed as tools, toys, resources, novelties. Something exotic from far away to convince parents the school is serious about meaning to teach English, even although this is questionable....

In status, we are below the children, because the children are the source of income. They are the customers, we are the workers. We serve them and that is the nature of this consumer education system.

Your boss will continue to frustrate you, undermine you, baffle you, dick you about in every way possible, and you can only hope to develop an immunity to the natural reflex of feeling belittled and abused.

To them you may be a commodity, but to yourself and the rational world you are a decent and talented individual. Just try to set your sights on that day when you wave goodbye and walk off with money in your pocket and a myriad of choices to pursue.

One consolation with a 12 month contract is that you can always see light at the end of the tunnel. Keep stumbling through the darkness...

[leebumlik69]

[wire]

You can have my 6 class a day grind recycled garbage curriculum English shoveling job. And I'll come work at your chilled out hagwon.

Deal?

[trubadour]

wow. Really appreciate your feedback, Thanks. Turned out there was no show down. Go with the flow is something I'm able to do, but pride kicks in...

These were such wise comments. I guess the the art of the hakwon teacher really is in learning to work the fine-line between being respected enough to be listened to and fun enough to be popular with the kids. I know they have a real hard time with countless hours schooling a day, abusive teachers and big pressures from all directions, especially when they hit the teen ages. I've really been trying to be nice reccently, after going a bit negative and shouting too much. (Maybe I should start a poll - how much do you shout and when?). I guess if, I'm calm but alert, the activity in introduced right, they have the tools for the job, they know where they're going..everything will be ok.

Thanks.