Korean Job Discussion Forums

nene · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Location: Samcheok, Gangwon-do

I'm trying to decide if I want to head back to a hagwon or try public school teaching. The co-teacher business (and class size) is my main concern. How do you feel about having a co-teacher in your classes?

KYC · Joined: 11 May 2006

It's different at each school. Each ct is also different. I have coteachers who never come to class, ones that come but just sit in the back and play on the computer, ones that only translates when the students or I ask, ones that actively assist me in the classroom.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

It varies from school to school, class to class, and CT to CT. Generally speaking, in my experience:

Middle School: a good CT can be quite a help, even if you hardly ever use them. More important than anything is whether they have the students taking public school English seriously. A useless one can make everything an uphill battle.

Vocational / Technical HS: almost essential to make certain things work.

Academic HS: doesn't really make any difference.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

I knew a guy who said it's like training a dog. You never raise your voice. You save that for later.

You definately need to give the impression that you're well enough on your own and don't need an owner.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

With public school classes sizes averaging over 30 to 40, I'd say the co-teacher comes in handy just for control issues. Also, depends on factors like if the students are male, female, mixed, high school, middle school, academic, etc.

My experience is just middle school. In most classes, for girls, most of the time, you don't really have to worry about control but in my case it averages about 1 in 6 or 7 classes the co-teacher is a godsend. For boys, the hatred ratio guess up to 1/2.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject:

"co-teacher" Laughing

... a waygook face-saving term

in public schools you are an "assistant" to the Korean teacher

that's the official designation and how they see you

i'll stick to hagwons where my classroom is mine and where I am king

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

mnhnhyouh · Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Location: The Middle Kingdom

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

nene · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Location: Samcheok, Gangwon-do

Interesting. Thanks to all who have responded.

When you apply for a public school job, you don't apply to the school, right? So you couldn't get any idea ahead of time who your co-teachers would be, or the principal? So it's just hope for the best and be on your best behavior?

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

At my school, they insist on running the classes. With the exception of the gr5 co-teacher, they won't allow me any input into lesson planning at all. They show up 5 mins. before class and hand me a slip of paper...this is what you're teaching today.

Yesterday I was called into the teachers room and heard that there have been several complaints about my "teaching". Well that's funny 'cause I really haven't been doing any. They say I'm not taking a large enough role in the classroom.... Gee, I wonder why that is?

Perhaps if the co-teachers would actually discuss something with me the day before or the week before, I might be able to prepare something.

Showing up 5 or 10 mins. before class and telling me "you teach this today", just doesn't cut it.

I don't mean to slag them off as teachers. They are fine teachers, they just have no clue how to work with a foreign teacher. Communication is the biggest problem for me. They never tell me anything and then complain because I don't know what is going on.

I am having a meeting with the gr6. co-teacher today. Hopefully we can work some of these problems out.