Korean Job Discussion Forums

[earthquakez]

[lithium]

[Steelrails]

[earthquakez]

Steelrails - you're confusing me with someone who originally mentioned corruption and skimming off the top in Korea.

We're not 3d workers - we're language teachers. The rhetoric of the Korean govt on English language learning says it all. And that's part of the point being made, which other people have said. Government funded education programs and schools in the UK have to keep to a number of laws and standards re equal opportunity etc including for foreign teachers, lecturers, exchange teachers etc and they do. If they didn't, the foreign teacher has access to legal assistance, equal opportunity, anti racial discrimination personnel and laws.

My focus is the teaching industry, specifically language teaching. Korean teachers going over for limited periods of time to teach in western countries' schools are not shafted the way it is not unusual here in Korea. The school system in the UK, for example, has always hired native language teachers and even when they're not on long contracts or permanent, they aren't seen as people you can wriggle out of paying all the dues to.

I could list more instances of public schools wriggling out of paying what they owe to public school teachers in Korea - EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE. When these programs fall under the Korean Government's system and influence,the onus is definitely on it to ensure that professionalism and lawful practises are taking place irrespective of a one year contract.

I know there are Koreans teaching in schools in the US and Canada and if you think they are told they are 3D workers who don't have rights then you're wrong.

[tanklor1]

I like camps because they are low stress and fun.

[Steelrails]

[Cerulean]

Hi OP,

Sorry you're in this position. I have also had great plans for camp that have been squashed by lack of communication.

I did a cooking lesson for my summer camp and my students brought all the supplies including the pans, cooking utensils and portable ranges. They brought everything! Is this something you could do?

Also, I stopped relying on my co-t's for material support. My camp lessons require minimal cost and time. If they change something, I incorporate it a little to show good sportsmanship. If there would be a problem after the lesson is done, I would simply reply that I misunderstood their instructions.

And remember, saying that you can not teach because you didn't have a budget (or whatever) will not be taken well. You will look bad in the end.

How about changing the camp plan? Keep the themes but make it self sufficient?

I only rely on myself in my job.

Take care OP and I hope the vent and opinions have helped you create a game plan you are comfortable with.

[nomad-ish]

i do buy supplies for my camps, but that's only because if i didn't, then camp would be extremely boring and painful for both me and the kids. i think my biggest complaint this year is that the heating sucks! i'm in a freezing cold classroom with the same kids for 3 weeks with no curriculum or materials (other than a computer and whiteboard) and i get to listen to the freakin construction all morning long. if i have to spend a bit of money to make this eternity go by faster, of course i will.

plus, i think they've forgotten about me. one of the head teachers told my co-teacher to cut her classes short because it was so cold, but she didn't even teach for 2 weeks (she's a contract instructor too-- not an official teacher). no one has mentioned anything to me.

seriously, 3 weeks with the same kids for 2.5-3 hours a day!? not to mention i had most of these same kids for 3 weeks in the summer...

argh. it's just one of those days.

[bobbybigfoot]

Your coteacher is likely trying to make you look bad so she can get rid of you. That's my take.

Koreans aren't stupid. They may like to play the role around us, but behind the scenes they know full well what they are doing.

This is called Sabotage 101.

[Summer Wine]

You could be right Bobby.

Today is the start of the winter camp, when I was speaking to her last week I was assured that she had everything prepared and didn't want to make time to discus it.

Today thereis no sign of her or the other teachers just all my students are here and I have nothing. So it will be interesting, but if I dont find work I am calling it an end here in Korea, so it no longer bothers me.

[jrwhite82]

Try to mix in a bunch of different games that you can play during the day to give them a chance to get up an move around. Some classics:

4 Corners
7-Up
Night at the Museum (One student is the guard, the other students are the displays. Guard closes eyes and counts to 5. The displays have to assume a funny face and standing position. At 5, guard opens his eyes and patrols the room if he sees someone move, blink, fidget, etc.. they are out. When the guard has his back turned you can move into a new position. After a minute or two, make a rule that you can only stand on one foot. After another minute make it so their hangs have to be up in the air)
DropCatch - Make a circle. Toss a ball to a student. In the air say "drop" or "catch". But the trick is it is opposite. So if you say drop they must catch it and if you say catch they must let it drop. If they mess up then they sit down.
SPARKLE - Spelling game. Make a circle. Say a word: Cat. Student 1 says "C". Student 2 says "A". Student 3 says "T" Student 4 says "SPARKLE" Student 5 is out. If you make a mistake you are also out.
Hot Feet - 2 soft balls. Make a circle. 2 students are in the middle standing up. Everyone else is in the circle. Roll and hit the balls along the ground (nothing over the knee). Try to make the ball hit the 2 in the middle in the leg. If it hits them they are out. No throwing or holding the ball. Only rolling.
Who Said It? - Make a target sentence. One student comes to the front and closes their eyes and turns around. Choose another student who will QUIETLY get up and move around the room. They will say the sentece in a funny voice and then go sit down quietly. The student in the front must guess who said it.

There is probably a list of a million games on this site for you. My feeling about it is that you can't expect the kids to sit for 3 hours in a row without giving them a chance to spend their energy. I usually teach for about 30-40 minutes then play a game for 10. Then back to the seats for the next lesson. Play another game. Do an art project together. Play one more game. Review and dismiss. Camp should be more fun than regular classes.

[jrwhite82]

What did you wind up doing?

If I were you, I'd talk to your coordinator and let them know your situation. I'd also speak to your VP to let them know about your CT.

[sallymonster]

This thread reminds me of what happened to me today. I had today's 3.5-hour camp all planned out, but of course my co-teacher had to come in and change everything. In fact, we did not do a single activity that I had planned, just her stuff. So much for the plans!

[TheUrbanMyth]