Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cornfed]

One of my coteachers seems to want me to teach in the manner that Koreans seem to prefer, i.e. lecturing based on the text book while the students sit there passively, handing out lists words to be memorized etc. - the grammar translation method, I suppose. A minor reason that I am reluctant to do this is that the kids obviously won't learn anything. More importantly, doing this would render me a complete white elephant to an even greater extent than I am already.

It seems strange that some Koreans are so wedded to methods of teaching that are doomed to failure. They might be quite good teachers in other subjects, but they seem to have this blind spot when it comes to practical subjects like languages. I wonder what I should do. Just keep doing what I'm doing and hope for the best, I suppose.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Smee]

Yep, we've been doing grammar, grammar, grammar in preparation for the midterm tests coming up. There's always a test coming up, isn't there? So I've been going through the material twice as fast, and finishing a chapter a day. It boils down to grammar instruction. Grammar instruction is fine, but it's really dificult for lower-level students. I'll explain something in English and demonstrate how it works, and then the Korean teacher will give a lengthy explanation in Korean. I usually teach from the book, and create activities around the substitution drills. However because of time constraints we've just been rushing through with no chance to actually use the new material. All for the sakeof "doing" all the chapters. "Finishing" the chapters isn't really accurate.

Sort of related, but my co-teacher got upset today when she was talking about all the new improvements coming to the E.O.Z. and I said something about it never being an English Only Zone. Certainly not unless I'm teaching alone or talkin to myself.

[PRagic]

Yeah, well, I majored in Korean and took advanced classes at two different universities after I earned my degree. I never had a Korean teacher who taught like an American!

And we didn't want them to, either. Part of the great thing about learning from a native speaker is learning how they think and act, what they expect and detest, and how they manage individual communications. Tell your co-teacher to get a life.

[ED209]

Photocopy your face, cut out the eyes and hand it to her.

'Here, wear this. Teachie my lesson. I'm off home'

[VanIslander]

"if you walk like an egyptian!"

[Fishead soup]

Remind her that there are other schools in your region that could utilize you better.

[Faunaki]

Just do what your co-teacher says. You are assisting her. Co-teachers can make or break you. If it really bothers you, transfer or find out if she'll be leaving soon.

Or talk to her and do half of what she wants and half of what you want. Fair enough.

[PRagic]

'Make or break you'? Funny stuff. How many people reading this were actually education or even ESL-teaching related majors?

I've said it time and time again. They get what they pay for. Teachers moved all the way over here because 'major and experience are not important'. Fine, well, then don't pretend that everyone should be a professional teacher, much less someone who knows how to teach 'the Korean way'.

If you let your co-teacher walk on you your first term, you're doomed, especially if she is even a week younger than you. Get pissed, show it, and leave the room. They'll work with you.

[Faunaki]

[PRagic]

Different views, to be sure. I say why kiss ass in a market like this. Quit. Find another job. Particularly if you are qualified, you won't have a problem in the world. The issue here is fundamentally a petagogical one, not a personal one, and if the co-teacher wants to be an ahole, then let the chips fall where they may.

[cj1976]

There needs to be some clear guidelines about how co-teaching should work. A lot of schools seem to have no idea what to do with their NSET and the Korean teachers have differing views on what their role is.
I have 3 CT's. One for grade 3/4 and one each for grade 5 & 6.
In grade 3 and 4, it is mainly me talking with her translating.
Grade 5 and 6 my role is much more minor. I am actually in class right now typing this whilst she is teaching. Her English is so strong that I feel like I'm interfering with her lessons.

[Faunaki]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Cornfed]