Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jadarite]

I have what I consider a nice job through GEPIK. The problem I am facing is with my morning classes. The afternoon classes are mediocre, but I am doing those because I can see a great potential in my morning classes.

The morning classes consist of three 40 minute sessons. However, it's with the same class, so I just string them together and end earlier or teach fewer students in groups. They are role-play lessons, so I can't expect or be expected to get all 30 into a role-play station

This the beginning of the end as to where my school and I see eye to eye. I think they should have 1 hour classes instead of 40 minute classes, and I should meet only 2 in the morning.

In addition to this, they have decided to only have the class come once a semester. They want other schools to come and experience the thrills of a curriculumless role-play center. I am having a fun time getting things written up, but I have no opportunity to meet with the classes on a more regular basis.

Should I stand my ground and try to get once or twice a week with the same students, or should I simply go along with the "no teach, but experience English" philosophy the school has me under?

I could care less at the end of the day. I go home and don't need to deal with hagwon hours. After 4.5 years, I finally have a taste of public schools and it's not bad. However, being at one I am kicking myself to do better and go the extra mile. Unfortunately, the school doesn't seem to be loosening the chain.

[TheChickenLover]

I think you completely missed the point of what your job is. You are supposed to be doing what THEY want you to do (to the best of your ability) NOT dictate to them what THEY should be doing.

They're your boss, you're not really in the proper position to tell your boss he's doing it all wrong & want to do it your way. That will just end up with them making you do crap work and you end up leaving bitter because you didnt' get things done your way.

I would look at this entire situation as a learning experience on seeing what you can do with the time/circumstances allocated to you and see how you can do with it b4 you start to butt heads with the administration. You could very well learn how to do somethint you never thought about before that can benefit your future students in other similar circumstances.

Or you can just go butting heads again like so many on this board. Your choice.


Chicken

[DrunkenMaster]

I, for one, welcome our new ant overlords

[Countrygirl]

I'm confused. Are you doing role-play classes instead of teaching the curriculum? Is this what you do every morning? I could see that really starting to wear you out if this is what you have to do every day. Unlike Chicken, I think you have a right to respectfully question the Principal. If your teaching starts to suffer than you will be the one that looks bad...not the Principal even though it was his/her idea.

[jadarite]

"I could see that really starting to wear you out if this is what you have to do every day."

That's exactly what is happening. I am being a broken record to kids who can't even recognize I am repeating. This is mostly with 1st and 2nd graders. It's fun when students can reply back, on those days I do feel tired. But it's a different feeling.

We have a Maoist like principal, she wants to give everyone a chance to role-play, even though the young ones can't say the alphabet.

[D.D.]

The worst thing that can happen in esl is having the same kids for too many classes back to back. I actually find that less is more and that the kids need about a 30 minute class. So three 40 minute classes will make the students bored and some will start to hate english.

That stupid company EF once made me teach the same 15 years olds for 4 hours on a Sunday. After about 3 weeks of this the kids and I hated each other. If we had had one class things would have been great.

I teach my primary school classes for 20 minutes and get out fast. So the kids are pumped and don't have time to get bored. I notice that they are progressing well and really like English class.

Less is more.