Korean Job Discussion Forums

[the4th2001]

This past month and a half has been a rude awaking to the workings of Korean businesses (or at the very least, hagwons).

I was brought over on lies to work for a couple weeks while my school processed my visa. During that time, the school broke our contract and when I called them on it, they essentially said I was stupid and didn't know what I was talking about. So naturally, I quit after a week of working with them.

Looking for a new job, I interviewed with about five other schools. Each one lied to me in one way or another. Or, while looking over contracts, I noticed some red flags (no health care, pension, etc).

Eventually, I had to just pick a school due to financial reasons - bills to pay with no job is not a great position to be in.

The school is a GnB franchise. There are three Korean teachers and me. Basically, I'm the only one who can speak English. In fact, two of the other teachers were very blunt with their abilities and tried their best to tell me that they couldn't speak English. When I asked them why they were teaching, they were quick to say that it's easy and that they don't really have to do anything.

According to them - and especially the head teacher - all of the children are stupid. These children aren't forced/prompted to do anything but give one word answers . . . but again, somehow they're stupid because they don't answer in full sentences. Yeah, go figure. Personally, I think the children speak better English than the teachers.

My problem, though, is that I don't know what I'm suppose to be doing. I asked the head teacher about the materials/curriculum, and she says she doesn't know anything. From what I can tell, the Korean teachers use the actual GnB books most of the time. I on the other hand have been given Disney themed textbooks. How they tie in with the other classes, I haven't a clue. On top of that, I've been told to teach a TOSEL class without being told what TOSEL is or how to teach it. When I ask for help, all I get is, "I don't know . . ."

Is this normal?

Are there other GnB teachers on Dave's? If so, any thoughts or comments? What are you told to do at your branch?

[Rory_Calhoun27]

First off, are the Korean teachers good looking? 'Cuz there could be other benefits besides their English ability...

Re: the books, just teach what they give you. i believe Kirkegaard, or Forrest Gump, said it best: "Stupid is as stupid does."

As long at the pay is consistent, and you arent cheated TOO badly, from your perspective, everything else is flexible. You can always be like STAND AND DELIVER, and let them dazzle you with their skill at some point..... or not. either works!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I know the owner / director of a GnB and not all of them are that idiotic, trust me.

[some waygug-in]

Sounds like the Disney themed books are a series called "English Land".

If you want to figure them out, try getting a look at the teacher's manual or get a CD so you can at least hear how the songs are supposed to go.

I agree with the above post, your boss has no clue. That is the problem with hagwans, any fool can buy into a franchise and pretend they know what they are doing. (and many do)

If you are free to choose your own material, great.

[the4th2001]

Rory_Calhoun27,

Yeah, I absolutely do not fraternize with co-workers regardless of how attractive they may or may not be. Nothing but trouble.

some waygug-in,

The books are indeed "English Land". At first I thought it was a joke . . . just something they bought at Wall-Mart. But yeah, no.

[meangradin]

In regards to the books, English Land has an excellent teacher's book that you should pick up. It is a little pricey, but well worth the investment.

Not to be a dick, but if you can't pick up an English Land book and immediately see its pedagogical outlay and value , then you have got to put some time in and improve your teaching knowledge. By no means would I say that they are the best ESL books, but they do have a rather obvious outlay and cover all the basics that a good book should. Again, do yourself a favor and pick up the teacher's book and READ it! It will help you to improve your abilities.

Also, you should be thankful that you are not teaching the GnB books; they are a total waste of time.

[Illysook]

I have English Land and I'm not so fond of it. This probably has something to do with the level of my kids, but I've had to supplement A LOT. The vocabulary for each of the units is so small compared to what the students are capable of, and my pre-teens who are prone to challenging my authority, probably think that the Disney stories are baby-ish.

I tend to look at the subject matter for the unit, assign a page or two at a time from the activity book for homework, do enough stuff from the book to make it look good, and then I make up an assortment of flashcards, worksheets, and games to fill things out. I'm not sure that this really does look good, (my boss seems suspicious of games) but I know that my students are learning a bit and having some fun...even the middle school aged tough guys like it when you teach them new words and respect their intelligence.

[some waygug-in]

When I taught in hagwans, I much prefered "English Time" or "Lets' Go" to the series you are using.

The problem is not with the book itself, but the lack of supplimentary materials. You are supposed to have flash cards, picture cards and CD's for every level to be able to use it properly.

Most hagwan owners will just buy the book and expect you to work with it.

At least get the CD so you can figure out the songs.

[Whistleblower]

From my first job;

Director: You have training before you start teaching.
Me: That would be appreciated.

2 weeks later;

Me: What does training involve?
Director: There is your classroom. Let me know how you get on today.
Me: I am teaching?
Director: Yes, that is your training.
Me:

[meangradin]

It is a good book for children who are just learning how to read. You are right about the vocabulary being skimpy. Again, for the very young, it is a good first step. Plus, the kids seem to love the songs.

[meangradin]

"When I taught in hagwans, I much prefered "English Time" or "Lets' Go" to the series you are using.

The problem is not with the book itself, but the lack of supplimentary materials. You are supposed to have flash cards, picture cards and CD's for every level to be able to use it properly.

Most hagwan owners will just buy the book and expect you to work with it."

Yeah, that is ridiculous!

As with most books, if you have all the supplimentary materials, then your teaching will be more effective. Go figure!

I have everything that goes with ELand, including the DVD's - word to the wise, don't bother with them.

The website is a waste of time, but it does give you a more advanced test for each level and unit. Also, Pearson Longman Korea are pretty generous with free materials (wall charts, etc...) if you contact them.

[The Gipkik]

Why do these idiotic quotes get written? So one Korean teacher says something. Does that have any scientific validity in a country with almost 50 million people? Why do you think such an emotive comment can be extrapolated? You know what I think of posters who post these kinds of asinine comments?

[some waygug-in]

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

I like the 'English Land' series-- not so much for the cartoons, but the fact that it includes pronunciation, as well as some role plays, various other activities and doesn't deviate too much from the target language.

Maybe you already know what you're doing, but I promise you don't need a teacher's manual at all-- just look at the light blue grammar sections (about two per unit, I think) and build your lesson around that.

Start off with the easiest structure, and if they get it, move onto the question form, the negative, whatever you want. If you can't think of any ideas, just look on the internet... you'll be able to find pretty much all the games and activity ideas you will need.

Don't worry about 'tying it in' to the KT's lessons... just focus on reading, writing and pronunciation is a big one (this is where we're always going to be more effective than they are)... keep everything simple, go at your own pace and only move onto a new structure when (almost) everyone can give you the right answer. If they can't remember to put 'It's a' in front of 'bear', then you need to keep drilling/testing them... and tracking their progress.

A simple lesson structure is:

2 min. Greeting and settling down... you might want to write the target language/grammar structure on the board so that they can see it. I tend to write out the hangeul underneath if my class can't read so well... so they at least have a basic idea about the pronunciation. Some people won't do this... but it makes things run smoother, and if they're getting it you can just erase it.

5-10 mins. of drills (this is review-- this can be Q and A, substitution, negative/positive, whatever-- you don't really need to plan this, just take a peek at the book before you go into class and do drills and make sure to use the drama from the previous lesson-- or from other units, if you like.... this is also good because it keeps them from forgetting the lessons of the previous unit). Usually the grammar is really easy so you should have no trouble coming up with drills off the top of your head... but it's best to do something serious like this at the start so they don't get wild.

5-10 mins. Introduce the topic (I tend not to spend too long on this-- better to get this over with and then focus on the individuals who are having trouble when they're doing their group/solo work)

10 mins. Student book. (Again, I do this as a group and in most cases I speed through it... just do listen and repeat or if there are questions then elicit the answers from the students-- but if it's taking too long, just give them the answers and help them individually)

10 mins. Work book. (This is where you can go around and help them one-on-one, looking over their shoulder, fixing their mistakes. If you see them making the same mistake, try to catch their attention and explain it to them. This is a lot more effective than as a group, because there's no need to waste the time of those who get it... and at this point, the high levels can have free time to talk/do whatever they want... within reason, of course)

(leftover time) Do a game, a craft, or something 'fun'. It's really easy to look one up on the internet and tailor it so it suits your lessons-- I've found older students are willing to play the same games as the younger kids, provided you give them more challenges, and also give the younger ones/lower levels fewer challenges-- there's no need to plan different activities for each class).

Good luck!!!

[the4th2001]

Thanks for the posts folks.

ESL Milk, I appreciate the detailed response. I think I'm too stuck on trying to tie in my lessons. For the time being, I'm just going to ignore the KTs and focus on the kids' weaknesses.

Today I started making the students respond in full, correct sentences; although they may hate me for it now, hopefully it will pay off

The Gipkik
[quote]
Why do these idiotic quotes get written? So one Korean teacher says something. Does that have any scientific validity in a country with almost 50 million people? Why do you think such an emotive comment can be extrapolated? You know what I think of posters who post these kinds of asinine comments?[/quote]

You know what I think of posters who read and post on these kinds of posts with asinine comments? Yeah, you can go .... yourself too.

I don't believe I said anything about that teacher representing the almost 50 million people here in Korea. However, I do believe that I said she was the head instructor at MY school. Jesus Christ, there's no need to be so sensitive.