Korean Job Discussion Forums

[husky]

I work in a kindergarten. Every two months or so we have a parents afternoon where the parents come for coffee and we talk about how their kids are doing.

I started about two months ago and all I ever hear is complaints. They complain about anything. THe kindy is a good one. Everyone is professional and qualified and take the job seriously.

Yesterday, the parents demanded that they be able to come to watch a class once a month. The Korean English teacher told them that that was too much and that maybe once a semester would be ok. However, I just feel that if they attend my class it will just give them more opportunities to complain and give us stress.

For once I just want to hear some encouragement and support from the parents. We are on the same team afterall, right?

Also, the parents said that they want me to call their kids once a week. For a start, I don't have time, I have a busy schedule, and when I don't have a class I am preparing materials. When they were told this, they demanded to see my schedule. Anyway, these are 6/7 year old kids, how long can a telephone conversation last? I eat lunch with them every day and I give all the students lots of time to practice. Some of them can speak a little, others can't. But at the end of the day I always try my best to get them to speak, because I want them to do well. I just don't think calling them is going to be helpful.

Am I being unfair? Should I do what they ask? I just feel that teaching them these days is becoming more and more difficult and more counter-productive.

Any advice and opinions would be appreciated.

[husky]

If the parents also wanted to come and watch their homeroom teacher, PE teacher, violin teacher, cooking teacher and Korean language teacher teaching their kids, then perhaps I would feel a little bit more relaxed.

[polonius]

It is quite simple. I would never allow a parent into the classroom. They would be a distraction for the students as well as yourself. This is not allowed in Korean public schools, and should not be allowed in Hagwons.

We have CCTV at our Hagwon exactly for this reason. We realize that the parents are our customers, but there is no way that they are going to dictate how we run our school. We don't bow down to parents demands, because we have 2700 students, and it would never stop. We listen to their concerns and try to find a solution that is a happy medium for everyone.

[Skippy]

God - those thrice damned telephone testing/conversations and with young very young students at that. I would fight against these telephone conversations as they are pretty much useless and as you said you chat with them at school during lunch which is better then a phone conversation GREAT!

As to watching the class I am of two minds - first off - they are the customers and these should be able to see what their money is going towards. Yet on the other end you are right they will just use what they see as more ammunition to complain. Tell the school to just have a the once in a while "open class". If they are really desperate they can watch via the CCTV.

Careful one note is you may think it is all parents wanting this - in reality it is probably that one or two over the top helicopter parents. Your boss is probably saying "all the parents are complaining" which means "we have a few cruddy complaints about stupid issues from one or two parents".

[antoniothegreat]

like others said, coming to the classroom is insane, let them watch the videos.

about calling the kids, i would get something out of it, i dont mean money, but trade like 2 hours of class time a week for "calling time." then call, and if they dont pick up on the third ring, hang up and check their name as "no answer" and go on the the next kid. also add things like after any 15 second pause, the conversation ends.

[tenchu77491]

Actually this is going to happen to me too. I was told 2 times a year we have open classes where parents can watch. I don't mind a whole lot. This is in a public school and there are no video cameras.

[husky]

Thanks for your responses. My head is much clearer now.

It's not that I would mind so much about the parents watching a class, it's more that they have a combative/aggressive attitude and I don't want to put myself in the firing line. If they were more friendly and supportive and said 'Hey, little Johnny likes your class, can we come and see what happens sometime?', then maybe. Instead they just invite themselves. It's not a good situation. I think the parent/teacher relationship has to improve before that happens. ANyway, I've run out of patience, so I won't be doing open classes for the time being.

As for phone calls, perhaps something can be wangled.

We don't have CCTV in our school, but I think trying a video might be worth a shot. Let's hope the school goes for that idea.

[Scouse Mouse]

I was told about this when I started: One class every 2 months that parents would come to watch.

The parents call and request it, and the boss says OK, come and watch. And they don't. He knows they won't, but tells me they will, just in case.

If they do come and watch, try to get them involved. When they look at you with 'the look', complain to the boss that they set a bad example to the students. They won't come again

[verve]

What are the parents complaining about?

Things that have worked for me are:
- Set a standard of only accepting complaints from the person who's making them. Don't accept messages.
- Address the complainant directly. Be polite but firm, not confrontational but if they get belligerent, be clear what you stance is and that you won't be shouted down verbally or any other way.
- Use English that just exceeds their level. Lack of good English will force them to back down.

May work for you or not. Try 'em out.

You can't completely ignore complaining parents obviously (even if there is nothing to the complaints). So, having an open class once a semester seems reasonable. Then you can put on a show and blow the parents away

Parents sitting in every class for one month? Ridiculous. Besides that it's a major distraction, you can cite that you signed on to teach kids not kids AND their parents. Pull up the old email where they said you'd be teaching "5-7 year olds in classes of XX size for 6 hours per day" or whatever. Besides that, it's not a standard in Korea for parents to sit in on classes. You're going with the status quo, they're trying to rock the boat.

For telephone calls, as someone said, do it only as a substitute for classes you're obligated to teach (and only if you want to). Would be a pretty sweet way to get out of classes. But again, cite your contract - you're an ENGLISH TEACHER, not a telephone conservationist. The fact that you eat lunch with them is already going beyond the call of duty.

You're a foreign English teacher in a somewhat xenophobic and strange country, so yeah you're more vulnerable than Koreans. DON'T TAKE THEIR NONSENSE. No matter what they say to you, they need YOU much more than you need them (you can get a job at countless other schools). You are prestige and image (=lots of money) to the academy and the kids probably adore you.

Make your stand - set working standards that you are comfortable with. It makes sense to do what's necessary to create conditions where you can enjoy your time in this wacky but lovable country.

[teachingld2004]

I am not taking sides, I am only makeing a comment.

You signed a contract for a certain number of hours.
If telephone calling is a must, just do it in the school, and have it counted as hours. And that means from the moment you pick up the phone till you hang up, even if no one answers.

if you are told to do it at night, or on a weekend, say no. If your working hours are 10 - 6 (for example) make your calls and count it as hours.

If the parents want to come in and watch, you have to let them. Just do not change what you do because of the parents. Also before they come just keep some regular daily notes, like who is fighting with who, who cries, who is a bully, etc. It is good to do this every day, anyway.
And make notes when the parents are there.

Remember, parents complain. It is usually the parents of one of the "bad" kids. We get calls all the time: This teacher gives no HW, this teacher gives too much HW, My kid got hit on the bus, my kid says you yelled at him/her, etc etc.

I have had my share of complaints/praises. It is hard, but you are a baby sitter. TRY and ignore the crap. (and believe me I know that some jobs suck)

[detourne_me]

I had a starter level course at a hakwon a few years ago. whenever parents wanted to sit in I let them, as long as they participated in the class. If asked why, I had a Korean teacher tell them that the child would benefit more if the parent were involved too.It took the pressure off being judged, and it helped out the class. fun time had by all.