Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ddeubel]

Every year as part of the writing process, I publish the best essays from my writing courses.

Here are the 2009 selections Some great essays on Korean Education, after school classes, using music in the classroom etc...

Also, if you want to see previous year's offerings , go to my Writing course page HERE

I'll also publish a lot of the reflective pieces on Korean education shortly, for new teachers. (anonymous of course). Interesting to see the Korean educator's side of the coin (classroom).

For those that missed it - the EFL Classroom 2.0 Newsletter is out. Lots of great resources.

DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com

[Yu_Bum_suk]

That seems rather more fluid that the prose abortion I got to re-write for a teacher this morning.

[Demophobe]

Good stuff David. I am sure you are proud of them.

[ddeubel]

Thanks Demophobe. Definitely and always proud - I think it good for us to see the thinking and "other side". Too often, the picture is painted with biased brush strokes....

However you approach it, it is insightful and some teachers might even use these with their own students as example essays. Much better for them to be guided by fellow Korean writers.

I'll try to post more about what Korean teachers have written about education. You'd be surprised how much is of the same thinking as us foreign teachers......

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

[Yu_Bum_suk]

The teachers in this group - are they there by their own choosing or by that of some higher authority? I think you might find a very large difference in attitude between those that want to take a special course with a foreigner and those who would be afraid to.

[ddeubel]

YBS,

They are there of their own volition. However, that means many things.

Some are "commanded " by their principal. Some must do it as its a required course for points and promotion. So there is a mixture of teachers and motivation there. I really hope to move this course totally online - but that's a tough sell in Korea. Writing courses are really suited to distance Ed. and conferencing online and given the travel involved for teacher's to come to class - it would be wonderful if it happened. Same should be for university classes I think.

These are middle and h.s. teachers and thus have a degree in English from a university. So they have been doing this for awhile -- we must also consider that Korean teachers generally have quite strong writing skills compared to their speaking. (that's changing though, as the new generation moves up...I really see a difference in this, generationally speaking).

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

[ddeubel]

Here are the reflective pieces by Korean teachers - Changes to Korean Education. Interesting opinions of a broad selection of Korean educators.

I'll be uploading onto the Korea resources page of EFL Classroom - a lot of articles I've collected and some of the research results I've got , in the next few days. In particular others might be interested in my own recommendations about Korean education etc.....

Here's a recent response by myself to some interview questions someone requested. About NSET teacher training...


But it always pays off to read a little about our Korean colleagues and what they think/see....

DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com

[Demophobe]

You know David, I don't mean to detract form what you or the posted teachers are doing, but I have seen this kind of phenomenon before: Koreans tend to 'get Western' when in the company of Westerners or when asked to produce actual ideas for a Western audience. They may espouse all manner of Western ideals; gender equality, modern educational philosophies and methods for example, but when the rubber meets the road, they fall back into old, established habits.

I suppose there are real reasons for this; fighting the majority is tough in any culture, but in a conformist culture like Korea (compounded by the conformist public school teaching culture here), many would rather leave that fight for another. Principles recalcitrant to change or new schools of thought and the old boy's clubs: 서울 vs. 인천 vs. 춘천 교대 battle linger on.

They are neat ideas and well-though, but my cynical nature cries lip-service until fruit is actually produced from this next generation of teachers.

Thanks for posting this though. It is certainly interesting reading, regardless of what it may actually represent.

[ddeubel]

Demo,

That's a valid point and yes, these are just one of many "things" by way of evaluating and measuring Korean education. There is probably some of what you are suggesting at work. However, a lot of what is reflected upon and written was actually first discussed in a small class of Korean teachers - so I've heard those opinions aired in public. Yes, I was there but I think the pressure to conform to my view wasn't as strong as that of the group.

Another point worth making is that yes, this was in Seoul. Teachers in Seoul, for good or bad, tend to be a little more progressive (and yes, this is a gross generalization....).

Cheers,

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

[ABC KID]

Yes, they are good essays. I'm curious about two points though...

1) Are these essays 100% in their original form or have they been checked and significantly modified?

2) Have some of those writers spent significant time in English speaking countries?

[Bloopity Bloop]

Thanks for sharing!

[Fishead soup]

[ddeubel]

ABC,

These essays are unchanged from what was submitted as part of their reflective assignment (many different topics, I just posted those about changes to Korean education). The essays too are unaltered and what I received.

Some SMOE have spent a significant amount of time overseas, some have not.

I think us teachers are free to "label" these as we wish. I just find it invaluable for especially new teachers coming to Korea - to see in some way, shape or form - that there are sincere and committed educators in Korea. Too often and especially on this messageboard, one gets the impression that Korean teacher are for the most part "x,y, z [insert your own negative point]. However, just like home (and I have quite a few years in the public system back home under my belt), teachers come in many, many varieties. "The system" does not affect that.

My own experience is to appreciate just HOW HARD IT IS , to teach your second language. I tried it with French and despite being fluid and an experienced language teacher , had major difficulties, even teaching just beginner French. It is hard, for many very basic cognitive as well as social reasons....

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

PS> fishead soup -- you can be cynical but I really believe that whenever a teacher reflects on their teaching or the profession in this degree - it can't but have an impact and change things somewhat. Not earth shattering but that's not my wish. I really try to do things one teacher, one student at a time. Make a difference where and how you can. Latent structure rules obvious - to quote Heraclitus.