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LostinKSpace
Joined: 17 Feb 2008
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 Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:21 pm Post subject: Having to stay in the New English Classroom |
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So, over Winter my school has invested x million won in an English Classroom I was informed today that I would be moving out of the general office and be put in this room all by myself, the purpose of which is that students will be able to interact easier with me on my break and over lunch i.e. I should always be available to interact.
Now initially I thought the idea of having my own room (and it is really nice) was pretty cool, and then I got to thinking. I actually enjoy having people around me, communication isn't good at the best of times and been put in a room away from everything will make the situation worse.
I know I have no real say in where I am put and should just be grateful, but it is somewhat ironic to be told we want you to be part of the staff and then remove my physical presence from having any interaction with said staff.
What do you think ? I would prefer to have my desk where it is, and run an English club over lunch in the English classroom. I know that I seem over sensitive on this but my experience within Korea is that people will push you to see what they can get and if you don't say anything they will push some more, so if I am not comfortable with something I tell people so and then try to work a comprimise or not :0 |
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bundangbabo
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: Having to stay in the New English Classroom |
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| LostinKSpace wrote: |
So, over Winter my school has invested x million won in an English Classroom I was informed today that I would be moving out of the general office and be put in this room all by myself, the purpose of which is that students will be able to interact easier with me on my break and over lunch i.e. I should always be available to interact.
Now initially I thought the idea of having my own room (and it is really nice) was pretty cool, and then I got to thinking. I actually enjoy having people around me, communication isn't good at the best of times and been put in a room away from everything will make the situation worse.
I know I have no real say in where I am put and should just be grateful, but it is somewhat ironic to be told we want you to be part of the staff and then remove my physical presence from having any interaction with said staff.
What do you think ? I would prefer to have my desk where it is, and run an English club over lunch in the English classroom. I know that I seem over sensitive on this but my experience within Korea is that people will push you to see what they can get and if you don't say anything they will push some more, so if I am not comfortable with something I tell people so and then try to work a comprimise or not :0 |
Thats the whole point - the staff don't want you there in the same room as them - nor me, nor most of us - we are tolerated guests who are tolerated if we don't rock the boat.
I had a teacher who speaks excellent English confide to me that a lot of the teachers are 'scared' of me because I am a foreigner. A ridiculous state of affairs.
To be seen and not heard - thats what we are all about - I must be one of the few native English teachers to plead to be included into any teacher funds for marriages, funerals and births only to be told 'no thank you' thats their attitude and it aint going to change anytime soon - though I see the kids I teach and they are more open minded - so change will come, but long after we have gone.
Last edited by bundangbabo on Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:40 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Dodgy Al
Joined: 15 May 2004
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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One option: agree to do it. Advertise the hell out of it, with posters and cool messenger things to homeroom teachers. Record every interaction that occurs. After a month, show your record to your co-teacher / vice principal, showing how (inevitably) no students came to visit you, and request that you be moved back into the general teachers room. This may backfire, but I don't think so.
Incidentally, if you end up doing this during your lunch break, then you should request OT.
Good luck with it. |
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Michael_75
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Incidentally, if you end up doing this during your lunch break, then you should request OT. |
You should. Why do they expect you to work over lunchtime?
I doubt it is anything to do with them not liking you. They just want to see some use made out of the classroom they spent a lot of money on however pointless it may seem. |
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espoir
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Incheon, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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I wish I had an office all to myself. I cant stand the people in my office, but next week everyone changes offices, so who knows I might end up in a better situation or if I'm very, very lucky get my own office  |
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Leslie Cheswyck
Joined: 31 May 2003
Location: University of Western Chile
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:10 pm Post subject: Re: Having to stay in the New English Classroom |
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| bundangbabo wrote: |
| though I see the kids I teach and they are more open minded - so change will come, but long after we have gone. |
I keep hearing this one 'the younger generation will change things...' blah blah blah.
Ain't gonna happen.
The Urinara brainwashing only begins to kick in when these kids hit middle school, undoing what little effect you had on them anyway.
Last edited by Leslie Cheswyck on Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:26 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Zulethe
Joined: 04 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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HA! what an appropriate handle OP....Lost in Korean office space. Hahahahaha!!!
Bundang...lucky dog.....I wish I wasn't invited to anything!!! But I'm invited to everything.
I teach at three schools. Two of them involve me in everything and one of them just totally ignores me.
At one school, I have the whole library to myself to teach and I usually spend all day teaching alone. Some days when there is no class, I just sit there for 8 hours without any human contact what-so-ever.
As much as I hate to admit it, I feel better being involved at my other two schools even though I don't like going to many of the functions.
So I feel you OP. You need to learn the phrase, "Is anybody out there." "Anybody at all."
Ahhahahahahahahahahahaha...Welcome to the twilight zone, an experiment in isolation and banishment!!!! |
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nomad-ish
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Location: On the bottom of the food chain
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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it could always be worse OP, like you, i've also been told that i have to relocate permanently to the english zone as soon as it's finished. HOWEVER, one of my co-teachers is coming with me    
it's going to really suck, seeing as the most likely candidate is my handler, whom i don't hate, but i find bosses me around and assigns me lots of extra shit to do.
my suggestion about you losing your lunch time (i was worried about this too) is just wait and see how many kids really come to "interact" with you. if you find they are coming during your lunch time, then post up on your door some "office hours." explain in the beginning of each class what that is and when yours are. |
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Michelle
Joined: 18 May 2003
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Having to stay in the New English Classroom |
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| LostinKSpace wrote: |
So, over Winter my school has invested x million won in an English Classroom I was informed today that I would be moving out of the general office and be put in this room all by myself, the purpose of which is that students will be able to interact easier with me on my break and over lunch i.e. I should always be available to interact.
Now initially I thought the idea of having my own room (and it is really nice) was pretty cool, and then I got to thinking. I actually enjoy having people around me, communication isn't good at the best of times and been put in a room away from everything will make the situation worse.
I know I have no real say in where I am put and should just be grateful, but it is somewhat ironic to be told we want you to be part of the staff and then remove my physical presence from having any interaction with said staff.
What do you think ? I would prefer to have my desk where it is, and run an English club over lunch in the English classroom. I know that I seem over sensitive on this but my experience within Korea is that people will push you to see what they can get and if you don't say anything they will push some more, so if I am not comfortable with something I tell people so and then try to work a comprimise or not :0 |
Hi,
You didn't mention whether you are teaching elementary middle or high school.
The age can be a factor.
I imagine younger kids are more playful, mine will come around to the classroom for the first while but soon they lost interest.
The same thing might happen before long.
I had the librarian request a lunchtime library reading of 10-20 minutes, if they have books. Not sure if your school can do this. Reading a book and having the librarian's help can make it simpler for you and keep them occupied listening. |
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LostinKSpace
Joined: 17 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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| I am at a Middle School. Thanks for the replies, my department is now reconsidering, and were initially susprised that I didn't jump at the opportunity to have my own 'office', but I still think it is going to happen. |
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Jeff's Cigarettes
Joined: 27 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Cool, bring ur PS3 and XBOX360...oh, don't forget to get those ports forwarded for DL'ing and movie watching. And, remember to keep the heat or air blasting at all times. U got it made dude! |
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Dances With Wolves
Joined: 06 May 2008
Location: A galaxy far, far away!
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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| I see it as a promotion of sorts. I think they see you are a responsible hard worker and giving you an extra perk. Having your own classroom is a step up, I would love to be in your situation. Keep up the good work, definitely do not let this get you down. |
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Colorado
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Location: Public School with too much time on my hands.
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:02 pm Post subject: Re: Having to stay in the New English Classroom |
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| LostinKSpace wrote: |
So, over Winter my school has invested x million won in an English Classroom I was informed today that I would be moving out of the general office and be put in this room all by myself, the purpose of which is that students will be able to interact easier with me on my break and over lunch i.e. I should always be available to interact.
Now initially I thought the idea of having my own room (and it is really nice) was pretty cool, and then I got to thinking. I actually enjoy having people around me, communication isn't good at the best of times and been put in a room away from everything will make the situation worse.
I know I have no real say in where I am put and should just be grateful, but it is somewhat ironic to be told we want you to be part of the staff and then remove my physical presence from having any interaction with said staff.
What do you think ? I would prefer to have my desk where it is, and run an English club over lunch in the English classroom. I know that I seem over sensitive on this but my experience within Korea is that people will push you to see what they can get and if you don't say anything they will push some more, so if I am not comfortable with something I tell people so and then try to work a comprimise or not :0 |
This is happening to me too. I'll be moving into the new English Zone on March 2. Like you, I have mixed feelings about it, but will give it a try and see how it goes. I have so little interaction as it is with the other teachers in the office that it shouldn't make a whole lot of difference. The new Zone's got all new equipment and furniture, so I'll rock out to my own music and watch downloaded movies on the wide screen. The students are welcome to join me. I generally enjoy interacting with them more than with the Korean teachers anyway.
Downside is that I will probably never hear about schedule changes. |
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Teelo
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Wellington, NZ
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:54 pm Post subject: |
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| espoir wrote: |
| I wish I had an office all to myself. I cant stand the people in my office, but next week everyone changes offices, so who knows I might end up in a better situation or if I'm very, very lucky get my own office |
2003 called, they want their avatar back. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:36 am Post subject: Re: Having to stay in the New English Classroom |
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| LostinKSpace wrote: |
So, over Winter my school has invested x million won in an English Classroom I was informed today that I would be moving out of the general office and be put in this room all by myself, the purpose of which is that students will be able to interact easier with me on my break and over lunch i.e. I should always be available to interact.
Now initially I thought the idea of having my own room (and it is really nice) was pretty cool, and then I got to thinking. I actually enjoy having people around me, communication isn't good at the best of times and been put in a room away from everything will make the situation worse.
I know I have no real say in where I am put and should just be grateful, but it is somewhat ironic to be told we want you to be part of the staff and then remove my physical presence from having any interaction with said staff.
What do you think ? I would prefer to have my desk where it is, and run an English club over lunch in the English classroom. I know that I seem over sensitive on this but my experience within Korea is that people will push you to see what they can get and if you don't say anything they will push some more, so if I am not comfortable with something I tell people so and then try to work a comprimise or not :0 |
Having your own room makes if far easier to avoid the office politics. However, be sure to visit the other teachers from time to time or you may not be rehired. |
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