|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
hubbahubba
Joined: 31 May 2008
|
 Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:47 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| jen_blue wrote: |
I'm beginning to think that Taiwan or even China sounds rather good. |
See ya!! Hope it works our for ya. just remember that saying about "grass is greener and septic tank" I always think folks that "have problems' even when the acors change...need to look in the mirror. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
happyinhenan
Joined: 01 Feb 2015
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 10:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| jen_blue wrote: |
Firstly, "my" classroom which is where I sit throughout the day and try to create "fun fun fun" lesson plans is now being used by my co-teacher as her main classroom meaning that I've got to vacate if for some reason my lesson is cancelled (she does let me use her office, located next to "my"classroom, but still...) or if I am not required for that particular lesson which has been all this and last week while she introduces herself. Today she announced I must also leave for an hour and half one day a week in the middle of the afternoon as she will be using it then too. I asked if there was any chance that this session could be held elsewhere and she said no, I know that's not true as that particular day the kids finish early so there are empty classrooms all over the school. |
I wouldn't worry about that at all, less work for you to do, cover your arse and send her an email stating 'I am sending you this email just to confirm that I needn't be present during xyz period' so if the solids hit the air conditioning, you have the proof right there because she will lie through her teeth and try and blame you if it all blows in her face.
| Quote: |
| Last year my Chang Chae class was allowed to come to my room for their session (along with their grade teacher), making setting up the session significantly easier as in the grade rooms each computer is set up differently and in Korean. This time I asked if this was O.K and my main co-t didn't seem to think it was an issue .... then today says that it's against the rules and I must go to their rooms. |
See what I mean? Always always email them - so you have on record what you have requested and their answers.
| Quote: |
| Earlier this week my main co-t messages me "Can you help me now?" Thinking she is wanting some help with a word / something easy immediately, I went to her room to find she wants to give me a menial job dealing with some task, she has decided to make more difficult than it needs to be. I tried to explain that I have rather a lot on myself at the moment as co-t and I have only met this week to deal with plans and I was struggling to get the following days lesson together. Again, she was like "Oh yah, yah, till x-day." |
Put your foot down, you aren't staying and they know this so they are going to try and take the piss, if she tries to offload menial tasks then refuse them, make sure to thank her as you are refusing them. 
| Quote: |
| I'm beginning to think that Taiwan or even China sounds rather good. |
Loads of good public school jobs in China where you will have a far better teaching experience. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
creeper1
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 11:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Its nonsense to say someone will have a better experience in China. How on earth would you know?
Can you vouch for every Chinese coteacher?
Would you like to live in every city in China?
China is fine but not everyone can hack it.
for what its worth I think PS jobs in Korea are fantastic. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
happyinhenan
Joined: 01 Feb 2015
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 1:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
| creeper1 wrote: |
| Its nonsense to say someone will have a better experience in China. How on earth would you know? |
 This fool is back - how would I know? Take a good look at my username and work it out!
| Quote: |
| Can you vouch for every Chinese coteacher? |
Can you?
| Quote: |
| Would you like to live in every city in China? |
I live in the poorest, most populated province with probably the worst pollution and I prefer it to living in Korea. I am sure living somewhere like Shenzhen would be like paradise compared to Korea.
| Quote: |
| China is fine but not everyone can hack it. |
True enough, but she has to try, right?
| Quote: |
| for what its worth I think PS jobs in Korea are fantastic. |
But you still live and work in China.
Troll off. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
creeper1
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have taken a look at your username. I don't know if you are trying to convince yourself or others that you are "happyinhenan"
You seem to be always on Dave's either here or in the China forum.
"boredinhenan" may be a more appropriate user name.
You may as well go home and forget this whole Asian experience. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
happyinhenan
Joined: 01 Feb 2015
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| creeper1 wrote: |
| I have taken a look at your username. I don't know if you are trying to convince yourself or others that you are "happyinhenan" |
The troll takes the bait!
See, I look at your name and think it suits you right down to the ground.
| Quote: |
| You seem to be always on Dave's either here or in the China forum. |
I do what I do back home, run, do weights, go on the internet etc - my life is as good here as it is back home - it is neither boring nor full of excitement - meaning, I am quite content here and I am certainly not leaving.
| Quote: |
| "boredinhenan" may be a more appropriate user name. |
Whereas 'creeper1' suits you very well!
| Quote: |
| You may as well go home and forget this whole Asian experience. |
No, in fact, I will stay here, find out where you work and take your job. Put it this way, you underqualified grotbag, you'll be going home a lot sooner than I will.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wonkavite62
Joined: 17 Dec 2007
Location: Jeollanamdo, South Korea.
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 3:54 am Post subject: Sorry To Read This |
|
|
Are you in SMOE! I am amazed that anyone gets selected by them these days.
In any case, wherever you are in Korea, I do actually feel for you. It can come as a shock to start your first teaching job, when you need some assistance and just don't get it. My first teaching job was in Spain. I loved Madrid but the job situation was awful, and in some ways far worse than what you are suffering now.
Perhaps you are not financially-minded (neither am I, really), but you might enjoy reading that you are due for a big severance pay if you complete your contract. Save your money meantime, and work towards that happy end when you get severance.
If I were in your position, I would like to ask the teachers the following:
Could you tell me clearly and exactly what I need to change? Can you tell me exactly what I need to do to be a successful teacher here and be kept on another year? Could you give me helpful feedback at regular intervals? I have lots of experience. In one job I was told I needed to smile more and so I did. But sometimes it helps to set clear standards from the beginning but engage students walk around and ask them questions.
Last year, when I was working in Korea, we had a Canadian guy who liaised with the BoE on our behalf. He was there during orientation and kept in regular contact with us. I could have asked him for help and got him to ask the BoE staff to contact the school and find out what things I needed to change in order to succeed and have your contract renewed. Does your BoE have somebody like this? If so, it would be useful to contact him/her. That might be better than confronting the teachers directly, who might not want to to talk directly.
My public school experience in Korea was like this. I worked at 3 technical high schools. There were many delightful classes, but how do you cope with one class of rough boys who started out HATING English and who want to disrupt the class and whose focus is on getting a job in a shipyard?Very unacademic kids. And the co-teacher is usually absent. Most classes were fine but it's much harder than most schools in Korea.
I now teach in Beijing-I have lots of experience and can teach here-but I miss my friends in Seoul. Teaching here seems easy and fun. You could go to China. But here not all schools are equal. My school does NOT provide accommodation. The salary is okay, but I ended up living with a Chinese guy who could be really noisy after midnight and doesn't speak English. My other Chinese room mate had to intervene. Because we almost fought.
You probably can't teach in Beijing because they require lots of experience now. A university job in the provinces might be an option.
Consider other jobs in Korea too. I got the impression Avalon was an okay hagwon, if there's such a thing. The main complaint I found about Avalon on this forum was that teaching there, after 18 months, had become repetitive and boring. This was from a girl who had had a good experience there for a while but wanted the chance to be more creative. But if Avalon provides you with a structure to follow, then that's good, because you won't have to worry about lesson planning. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| happyinhenan wrote: |
They aren't 'warning' you, they are telling you. I would be looking for something else for next year. And that is what they are doing with you, forewarning you of your future.
As for the main co-teacher - he wouldn't get a pen off me, he would get a two fingered salute, you can get him what you want, you won't be staying.
I remember I got a nice, officially stamped letter of recommendation off my last school, didn't stop my witch co-teacher from putting my arse on the KFTRA blacklist though, that piece of paper isn't much help. |
What this? If she's doing something to make you lose face, you can sue her for libel and slander. Laws here are quite strict. But can a teacher put things about you online or not? Seems pretty unfair if that's the case. At least go in and scream at her.
If I'm non renwed, my schools still have to face me every day for 2 and a half months. So, glad I got hired in the middle of the semester. I'd really give them the evil eye and make for uncomfortable silences every day for the rest of my contract until it ran out. I think they can drop you in July or December and then most of that time the teachers are on vacation and don't have to face you. Pretty cowardly if you ask me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Though fortuneately, my schools have been decent to me the last few years. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| happyinhenan wrote: |
| jen_blue wrote: |
Firstly, "my" classroom which is where I sit throughout the day and try to create "fun fun fun" lesson plans is now being used by my co-teacher as her main classroom meaning that I've got to vacate if for some reason my lesson is cancelled (she does let me use her office, located next to "my"classroom, but still...) or if I am not required for that particular lesson which has been all this and last week while she introduces herself. Today she announced I must also leave for an hour and half one day a week in the middle of the afternoon as she will be using it then too. I asked if there was any chance that this session could be held elsewhere and she said no, I know that's not true as that particular day the kids finish early so there are empty classrooms all over the school. |
I wouldn't worry about that at all, less work for you to do, cover your arse and send her an email stating 'I am sending you this email just to confirm that I needn't be present during xyz period' so if the solids hit the air conditioning, you have the proof right there because she will lie through her teeth and try and blame you if it all blows in her face.
| Quote: |
| Last year my Chang Chae class was allowed to come to my room for their session (along with their grade teacher), making setting up the session significantly easier as in the grade rooms each computer is set up differently and in Korean. This time I asked if this was O.K and my main co-t didn't seem to think it was an issue .... then today says that it's against the rules and I must go to their rooms. |
See what I mean? Always always email them - so you have on record what you have requested and their answers.
| Quote: |
| Earlier this week my main co-t messages me "Can you help me now?" Thinking she is wanting some help with a word / something easy immediately, I went to her room to find she wants to give me a menial job dealing with some task, she has decided to make more difficult than it needs to be. I tried to explain that I have rather a lot on myself at the moment as co-t and I have only met this week to deal with plans and I was struggling to get the following days lesson together. Again, she was like "Oh yah, yah, till x-day." |
Put your foot down, you aren't staying and they know this so they are going to try and take the piss, if she tries to offload menial tasks then refuse them, make sure to thank her as you are refusing them.
| Quote: |
| I'm beginning to think that Taiwan or even China sounds rather good. |
Loads of good public school jobs in China where you will have a far better teaching experience. |
How are the schools in China? I mean how do the schools treat you when you work public? Do they make you feel more welcome? Do they leave you alone with a lot of autonomy? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
happyinhenan
Joined: 01 Feb 2015
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
How are the schools in China? I mean how do the schools treat you when you work public? Do they make you feel more welcome? Do they leave you alone with a lot of autonomy? |
I enjoy teaching in China, I taught a few hours at a PS adjacent to the university I work at and enjoyed the classes a great deal. What it seems to me though is that you teach your hours and there is no deskwarming to be had. Different schools have different policies on this though so before you sign, check with them to see if deskwarming is necessary.
The school where I was made me feel welcome, they were fine and you are left to teach the class in whichever way you want. China isn't for everyone but I suggest to anyone who fancies a change to give it a go. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
happyinhenan
Joined: 01 Feb 2015
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
What this? If she's doing something to make you lose face, you can sue her for libel and slander. Laws here are quite strict. But can a teacher put things about you online or not? Seems pretty unfair if that's the case. At least go in and scream at her.
|
When I found out I had left Korea and haven't been back since, she wouldn't have got away with shite if I had still been in the country, trust me.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 10:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| happyinhenan wrote: |
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
How are the schools in China? I mean how do the schools treat you when you work public? Do they make you feel more welcome? Do they leave you alone with a lot of autonomy? |
I enjoy teaching in China, I taught a few hours at a PS adjacent to the university I work at and enjoyed the classes a great deal. What it seems to me though is that you teach your hours and there is no deskwarming to be had. Different schools have different policies on this though so before you sign, check with them to see if deskwarming is necessary.
The school where I was made me feel welcome, they were fine and you are left to teach the class in whichever way you want. China isn't for everyone but I suggest to anyone who fancies a change to give it a go. |
Sounds like Korea, pre 2009. Many places, especially smaller cities and rural areas were pretty chill like that. I guess it's still ok for me, except for the desk warming and actually having to do a full class schedule. But, boy those rural areas here back in the day were great. You'd be out the door at 1 pm sometimes and get extra holidays. Of course the pay was less for me then too. I think average hakwon pay was getting nigh to 2.3 million won starting out and I was making 1.9 my first year? So, I guess the extra perks were to be expected. (Though my co teachers picked me up when the shcool was far, I never paid for school lunches, and wasn't taxed as much.) I make much more now, but all transportation, lunches I have to pay. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jen_blue
Joined: 24 Oct 2011
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:40 am Post subject: Please help! |
|
|
Hello
I'm not sure what happened on this thread but please, I need some assistance tonight. Things seem to have become significantly worse and I am not sure how to handle things.
1. Co-t 1 is never happy with anything I offered in terms of activities for our lessons last year, she doesn't like PPT games and the students are at an extremely low level; five sentences is about their fill. This year she has managed to agree with my new main co-t that I should submit ideas earlier in the week and she will decide whether they are appropriate. Inevitably, nothing I've suggested has been good enough; speaking board game "too bore" I offered an alternative game which she grudgingly accepted but during the lesson criticized that the kids could cheat the game to be a "winner" This week "jobs" chapter, I know she likes realia type things so I suggested that they complete an application form. Her response is that the children don't know what they want in their future lives and it will take too long.
I've asked for feedback over the last six months and she has never been willing to offer any, I've suggested she give me some ideas of what sort of things she would like; she says that she lacks experience and can't offer any ideas but suggests Wellgook / books in our English centre. I've stated that I have no issue with ideas but I need some input on what her preferences are. I always keep to the target vocabulary so its not an issue of effective learning. Today I suggested that we followed a similar theme than what was offered in the book (altering it to make it more difficult, to suit the level of the learners), her response if she wanted something from the book, she would have asked me to do that....
I suggested then that she offered some feedback on any of the activities I've done over the last six months, she replied saying that her computer was reformatted in February so she couldn't do that either.
2. Co-t 2 blocked up my computer for two hours last Friday, to copy my entire hard drive of the previous NET lessons / ppts making it difficult for me to plan a lesson for this week (really old computer), plus work on the ppt that was finally accepted at the very last minute.
On Wednesday, I submitted a lesson plan, exactly as she requested it and although we had been over each question, she now thought it would be "too easy" and wanted me make it harder, and also make the lesson plan clearer by adding T: to the sentences I was going to speak as the speech marks, italics and subheading "Teacher talk-time" that I had already added to the lesson plan headings were not enough.
She came to me at 4pm and I was just off downstairs to deal with some laminating that I needed for the following day, she wanted this doing "before tomorrow morning" i.e now and so I said that I was glad we had clarified it but I have a commitment to meet this evening so I would get it to her as soon as I could, as I had lessons until 12 noon (three of them with her, hence I was glad we clarified things).
This morning I think I upset her again: she uses a bell to ask to children to be quiet and she said I was O.K to do the same... so this morning, the class would not stop talking over me trying to explain the activity so I pressed the bell 3x over around 5-7 minutes and so she moved the bell so I couldn't reach it. I asked if there was a problem and it took 15 minutes to eventually come to the conclusion that it bothers her ears and she "want me use different please make quiet" which turned out to be hands on heads, finger on lip but she didn't bloody say that, and she was friggin rude about it too.
Then I had a meeting with my main co-t which I believed was just a feedback meeting and it turned out she wanted a load of lesson plans, she was not happy that I didn't have them to show  I had hoped to speak to her about the 1st co-t issue as I've spent literally all my time on trying to find a suitable activity.
Around 5 mins after the final email to co-t one requesting feedback on any of last years activities, my main co-t sent a round email stating she wanted a meeting tomorrow with myself and all my co-t's. I honestly can't imagine its a meeting in the sense I understand it and I feel I am going to be absolutely slaughtered by these people.
Tonight I stayed at school writing lessons plans until 8.30pm in the hope of some sort of reprieve. Honestly, I'm completely at the end of my tether. I would sack it and go home frankly, but I have debts to meet and I had have long term plans which involved SK. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 3:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Your co-teacher just doesn't like you and probably for no reason that has anything to do with teaching. Just make it all the way through to the end of the contract and see what happens. Maybe if you're lucky the co-teacher will either croak or be replaced, teacher replacement happens a lot in Korean public schools. In fact that may be what the core problem is altogether.
Everything you say sounds very similar to what I experienced without the co-teacher threats. It almost sounds like a typical public school. Keep in mind the co-teacher doesn't decide whether you stay or not, the principle does. They may very well dump your co-teacher. The best thing for you to do is make friends with the students. Be very friendly. Also try to be friendly with the rest of the school community and community where you live. Start learning Korean, it's a major plus in school relations. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
