Korean Job Discussion Forums

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

My friend teaches in a HS and this summer he has 5 days of teaching the mothers of his students. Is this strange or what? I would laugh if they asked me to do this. Is is even legal to demand the a public school teacher do classes to other than students or teachers? What's next teach the taxi drivers or Pizza Hut staff?

ABC KID · Joined: 14 Sep 2007

Goon-Yang · Joined: 28 May 2009 Location: Duh

Teach them to discipline their kids.

Teach them how it's impossible to hold onto something at a 40kph or over impace (like a kid).

Katchafire · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject:

I had a mothers class last year for the second semester. At first I had a 'ye gods wtf?' reaction ... turns out it was incredibly fun.
The parents feel a bit special having their son/daughters teacher - and love the idea of getting homework to practice with their child (at least, in my experience).
They were really really keen to learn, listen and participate - and laugh. We all had a blast.
Now, whenever I see those parents, I am greeted with a BIG hug.

Just enjoy it.

G

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

I think a parents class is a good idea. The better the parents are at speaking English the more they can practice at home with their kids which will help in the classroom in the long run. I can understand not wanting to do more classes, but if they pay overtime or reduce other classes then I wouldn't mind at all. I wouldn't do it for free though.

Good luck with it. If you have to do it, don't resent it. Try and keep positive that will make the time go by much faster. Besides, you will be able to have autonomy in what you teach them. Tailor the class so that you enjoy what you are teaching them.

Chambertin · Joined: 07 Jun 2009 Location: Gunsan

I agree with the potential of it. However I promptly turned down a contract that had it written in as a function of my employment.

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

Cabbit · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

RufusW · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Location: Busan

Yea, I teach 4/5 mothers once a week. It wasn't started to help the kids they just wanted to learn English. It's a poor-ish area and my co-teach kicked off with - 'do you have the vegetarian option?' while on a plane!

Anyway, I pretty much do the same lesson plan as the kids. If the mothers can remember it then they can test the kids. For example, I've been teaching 'Where is your book/bag/pencil/uniform...?' so they should be able to ask the kids.

If it was a big class, or over my 22 hours, or later than 4.40 then I'd consider not doing it.

Horangi Munshin · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan

I was asked to do a twice weekly class for parents way back in November of 2007. I was also asked how much OT I wanted Shocked

.

The class is still going. The current core of students have been steadily attending for over a year.

I also have a class for teachers once a week. I can use the same material as the parents class usually. That cuts down on planning and is interesting to see who participates better in various activities.

The Bobster · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

My school just proposed to make mothers' classes available to all the parents in my school starting in September. I'm thinking about doing it, but worried that I will have too many classes and will get burned out because of it. I already teach 8 after school classes a week beyond my 22 contract hours.

They want me to teach after 5:00, if necessary, in order to make it happen. I'm game for it, because I like teaching and want to save as much money as possible, but I seriously worry about burning out. I told them there was no way I would even consider it if they wouldn't raise my overtime rate, and after a bit of a fight they gave me an extra 5,000 Won a class (25,000 Won).

I'm no Picasso · Joined: 28 Oct 2008

My mothers just took me out for dinner last night to celebrate our last class of the semester. And I'm teaching a parents' summer camp. Really looking forward to it.

It is a genuine relief, once a week, to go from 45 wired, rebellious boys per class to four middle aged quiet-natured women. They're fun to teach and they absolutely fall in love with you. And they're keen to teach you anything and everything they can about Korea, Korean culture, so on and so forth.

The lesson planning is an absolute cinch. Depending on the level of the students, either pick up a book to work through or print out simplified articles to read together and discuss. Or do a combination of the two. These classes practically teach themselves, so long as you have a decent handle on grammar and can explain such things adequately.

Countrygirl · Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Location: in the classroom

One of the big reasons I stayed at my school is because of my mothers' class. Sometimes they are the only group really interested in learning. Not to mention that they keep me up on the gossip of the school, they regularly take me out for dinner, bring pizza to class, etc.

In the beginning it was the mothers that made me feel welcome in my school and not the teachers, who are still deathly afraid of all things English.

Kikomom · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 2:07 pm Post subject:

I love this thread. It's a complete contrast to "the clouds are darkening" and may just be the antidote needed.

Hurray for good teachers and good attitudes.