Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gwangjuboy]

The student numbers are increasing, and I feel comfortable with my students. I think I am doing a good job. I once had my students take a monthly test, and I suggested that the director could keep a report card for the students, thus parents could evaluate my performance in some way. I even marked the test papers out of contract hours!!!!! When the students moaned about taking these tests, the director wouldn't back me. It's the typical, "as long as the children are content I don't give a shit" line.

[jajdude]

One thing I remember reading quite a while ago was that it's the more competent workers who tend to question themselves about their own abilities on the job, whereas the less competent tended not to doubt themselves and felt they were doing fine. False confidence? I think you have to question yourself regularly to try and improve and do the best you can. It's hard to be consistently good at this kind of work I think, where sometimes you just feel burned out or whatever. Isn't it a good worker who thinks about his job, though, who wonders, am I doing my best, and how can I improve? I think about my students a lot and try to think how I can help them. So if I am not doing a great job, at least I believe i am trying.

[matthewwoodford]

I've noticed that often kids don't appreciate the effort the teacher puts in. A professional with more skill than the average hagwon teacher might make an impact (?) but the difference in effect between a conscientious amateur and a guy who doesn't really care seems hard to notice. How many teachers have noticed big improvements in their kids? Only a few of my kids have ever shown marked improvement always because of their own efforts. Also they're competitive so kids who are too slow will either catch up or drop out - but again this has nothing to do with the teacher. I guess I can say drilling works well with simple stuff but that's about it.

How many teachers out there think they have really improved their students?

[jajdude]

I've seen improvement... but yeah mainly among students who were into trying to learn the language anyway. But I like to think I helped them have or maintain that interest by not being too boring or whatever... Some people are good at learning a language, or other things, of course. The best we can do is help those who may learn. It takes time. Six months isn't much for a Korean, living in Korea, where English is nearly useless anyway, to pick up much English. But I have seen some kids improve quite a bit after a year. I guess this is a better question for those who have had the same students for 2 years or more.

[sadsac]

Am I a good teacher? Damn straight I am. Are the kids learning? Yes. Maybe not as quickly as I would like, but that is because of the constraints placed on my teaching by the hogwan. Do I like what I do? I love it. There is always that one or two kids that make every effort worthwhile. The whole good teacher, bad teacher, is so subjective. You choose what type of teacher you wish to be. Others opinions are too changeable.

[shawner88]

I wouldn't hire me, that's for sure.

I don't feel bad about it. I make the kids laugh and have fun and the boss is happy. It's the system, when in Rome do as they do...etc.

[coolsage]

I've had the good fortune to work in one place long enough to witness real progess. I can't take credit for all of it, but to see shy young bowing freshmen (or freshwomen) moving from being barely able to state their names in English to being able to carry on a modicum of conversation, superficial though it might be, seems like some advancement to me. Next, we'll tackle Camus.

[Juggertha]

well, being at the same school for over 2 years has givin' me the ability to watch ALOT of students progress. I've helped bring some kids from a basic phonics introduction all the way to past tense.

Some days I feel more effective than others. Some classes I might feel I "get through" to them a little more than others. But when looking at the big picture...its easy to see.

[Homer]

Dominic,

You need to go home man....your losing it big time.

either that or get some meds!

As far as doing a good job thats verifiable if you keep your eyes open and talk to the relevant people.