Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yu_Bum_suk]

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=ae1gmuKeuXw

Someone posted about this documentary on the OTF. I found the documentary on youtube (there are six parts). Even with my worst classes, and even with the language barrier, and with no Korean teachers around, it's nothing like this whatsoever (though some scenes did remind me of my old hagwon). What's funny is that when my students are unsupervised at breaks, they often look exactly like the ones in this documentary. During lessons? No, if it does you put an immediate end to it and it stops. I think it really comes down to whether teachers have power or not.

[BS.Dos.]

There have been improvements since that was made in '05. For a while, the UK teaching profession was hemorrhaging teachers, a good many of whom had years of irreplaceable experience. I think the main problem now, is that new teachers don't enter the professional like they did thirty years ago. Most new teachers only put in a couple of years before quitting. There's a much higher turnover nowadays and of course, it's the kids and the colleagues who have to fill in who suffer the most.

I came a whisker away from enrolling on a PGCE myself, before sensibly deciding to test the water first in English language instruction. I think bureaucratic interference and general lack of autonomy is the the biggest non-plus for my ever giving serious thought to a career in the teaching professional again. That and not wanting to get stabbed by some angry little shit.

[BS.Dos.]

I've just noticed that you joined Dave's on Xmas day 2004 YBS. Didn't you have any presents to play with?

[cdninkorea]

Scary indeed. I don't know if I should feel more sorry for the students for the "bungee teachers" (they bounce in the school and back out before you know it) or the teachers. Still, while my problems teaching children were never anywhere near as bad, it still makes me glad I teach motivated adult students.

[teachteach]

I taught in a Korean school for 2 years much worse than that.

[Yu_Bum_suk]