Korean Job Discussion Forums

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

Charisma v Qualifications? Craft v Guile?

Some of the best teachers I've ever observed wouldn't know their ass from their elbow theoretically, but by 'eck they had the students swooning all over them and hanging on every word - and seemingly learning loads too!

The question is: do you believe in the power of charisma?

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

Here in Korea? That's pretty much all it is. Just entertain them. It doesn't matter much if they learn anything. Make em laugh make em smile....."just give the people what they want" - and that is pretty much what they want.

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

Uh-huh...Got a mate of mine tearing his hair out because he can't compete in the popularity stakes with his gay colleague who just handles people more smoothly and is also handsome and funny...

All he hears every day is "Justin's so great, Justin's so funny. Please teach us like Justin!!"

Squeals of laughter and rounds of applause every 5 minutes!!!

Difficult not to sympathise with his plight! I know this "Justin" and I can see why everyone likes him - just a really nice guy and very cheerful, doesn't take himself very seriously and definitely doesn't live for his job!!
Doesn't prepare much either!!!!

The Cosmic Hum · Joined: 09 May 2003 Location: Sonic Space

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

HAHAHAHA!!! SHUUUUUUTUPPPP!!!

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

come on, let's be having you!! (Delia....)

The Gipkik · Joined: 30 Mar 2009

Although it's easy to label teachers like "Justin" as good teachers, and hogwans love to have 'em. It's apples and oranges. Real teaching is hard work, and multilayered in terms of student needs and outcomes. For students who don't need to learn a lot or don't want to learn that much more or just want to memorize a bit to add to their knowledge, super entertaining teachers are great. Now, this is not to say that this "Justin" teacher isn't a good teacher, but popularity isn't enough. He may be charismatic. The students may love to look at him and listen to him, but does he get them talking? Can he turn off the look at me, I'm so special mask and just listen to them? Spot their weaknesses and encourage them to make mistakes, take risks?

I've known several teachers, especially in Japan, who were all about popularity. The students loved to attend their classes, but really weren't learning that much. It was smoke and mirrors. I've observed these teachers and watched them make the students howl with laughter. Thing is, the students did very little talking in these classes, or productive work of any kind. They just basked in the positive atmosphere, the warm emotions. I'd say the students abilities actually diminished in consequence. So, using this kind of "charisma" as the essence of what a teacher must have to be a "born teacher" isn't quite right.

I've also known extremely laid back and mild mannered teachers who could really get the kids and adults talking and participating. They were well loved too, but for entirely different reasons. They weren't clowns. They weren't super handsome, but they had the real kind of charisma that gets kids learning. And in EFL, the most important ability is to be able to turn it off, step off the stage, and create a truly non-threatening atmosphere. That's real teaching.

The question at the end of the day is: Are the students coming to a teacher's class to learn, to improve, or to relax and be entertained in a restful atmosphere where they won't be challenged?

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

andrewchon · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:01 pm Post subject: great teachers

are born and made, but also dreamed up in imaginations.

I get this about once a week.
Why can't you teach like Mr. Happy? (not his real name)
He taught them part time last year.

We no study englishee. We want mr. happy.
Mr Happy good teacher. You stupid teacher.
Mr Happy class fun. You boring.

According to the co-t, they did same to Mr Happy last year.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

The answer is both and neither.

A great teacher can fall flat on his face if he is not supported by the school administration. Especially in adult hagwans where popularity becomes the name of the game. It all gets down to students monthly opinions and if they complain about a teacher....that must mean they are a BAD teacher. Rolling Eyes

A crappy teacher can become great if supported by his school/coworkers, is given constructive criticism and not subjected to the whims of every whimpering student who is too lazy to do any real work and wants to be entertained.

They place far too much emphasis on "the teacher" IMHO and far too little on what the school administration is doing to (or not doing) to support teachers.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

" I'm not here to entertain you. You're here to entertain me."

John Lydon AKA Johnny Rotten. The Sex Pistols

soakitincider · Joined: 19 Oct 2009

mongolian spot · Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Location: Seoul

you actually 'teach' in korea?

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

definitely born. Its not just about popularity, its about being able to connect with students, but not in a haha funny way. There are people out there who can reach students very well. You can teach interpersonal skills to a certain degree, but there comes a point where some people just have that skill and other don't, no matter how hard they try. Any monkey can read out of a book, throw up some slides and grade a test, and any monkey can read "how to win friends and influence people" but the "great" teacher usually takes it beyond that and it usually doesn't come from book learning.