Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

So we had our EPIC (Education Program in Chungcheonamdo) training last weekend.

I really want to write one of my epic (oh the banality of the pun, and all morning classes cancelled today so I certainly have the time) characteristically long diatribes here, but it isn't neccessary as the facts speak for themselves.

So you have say between 150 - 200 Public school teachers. Some brand newbie(ans) and some seasoned vets. And some anywhere in between.

On the first morning of 'lectures' during the open mike section, the majority of 'teacher' complaints was that they had problems with discipline and classroom management.

Now these two areas are key to maintaining a well functioning classroom and ensuring happiness and effective learning instead of stress and strained relationships and the students hating English.

So what did our sage EPIC co-ordinators do you ask? How did they respond to these cries for help? Did they see it as an opportunity to help their workers and thus ultimately benefit the Korean students, teachers and themselves with the promised 40 minutes long 'teaching method' session where we could all exchange ideas and tips etc...? Did they announce that they would have an experienced professional expert in child psychology and paedagogy come and lecture us for 40 minutes with some insightful, nay merciful tips and tricks to get on with and motivate our students better?

The answer is - no.

They instead cancelled the 'Teaching Methods' lecture, yes they cancelled the one thing the majority of the teachers seemed to need the most and gave us a 90 minute lecture on Korean Oriental Medicine, a roughly hour long powerpoint presentation (ala Michael Scott) by some Native teacher about his two year long life in Korea and his Korean friends and the next day; an 80 minute magic show which consisted of a bland magician doing variations of the same trick with a piece of rope for the entirety of the show.

Hey but at least they gave us a nice dinner (reputedly 30,000 won a head as claimed by the head of the education board.)

Nice to see the money is being well spent and all the priorities are well in order at the board of education.

This has been a public service announcement. You will self destruct in 10 seconds.

[yfb]

You should have been at the Spring 2008 GEPIK orientation. The venom dripping from some of the questions during the open mike session was unbelievable. Frankly, I was surprised that the speaker even opened the mike at all.

[Unposter]

It sounds like the way they teach English - you know - magic shows and candy.

At least, always leave them smiling...

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Discipline and classroom management is up to the individual school. What exactly did you want them to say?

They can't give you ideas about consequences and student sanctions without knowing the school will back you up. And English conversation isn't a real subject so why would they?

Best thing they can do is buy you a little busking PA system and/or a stick for the KT.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

[Moldy Rutabaga]

In my last university job I worked with the lower administrators of the EPIK program. Nice girls, but they had to work with faraway diktats from Seoul and had little power. It does not suprise me that the system is still run like that -- lofty goals set from up high with no response to local needs or people. Many of these new teachers are recent graduates with little or no direct experience, with a minimal classroom skill set, and often scared. To not give them help with classroom management is setting them up for failure. When they do, of course, they will be blamed anyway.

Classroom management doesn't necessarily have to be about rules and threatening people with pointed sticks. It can also be about, well, classroom management: advice and theory about taking a leadership role in the class and keeping control of the students... and how to do your best when it doesn't work. This shouldn't be a controversial issue, and it's more important than a magic show.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

My HS experience in Korea in Bundang with a lot of spoilt brats wasn't quite so bad-more cringeworthy than much else. By contrast working in a poorer area MS was fine.

At any rate, consequences and sanctions are for worst case scenarios or situations where your right to teach is being undermined or taken away.

[maingman]

"The well-bred contradict other people. The wise contradict themselves.�
- Oscar Wilde

[cubanlord]

[Moldy Rutabaga]

>Man, sorry to hear it. I hope you'll think about going to the KOTESOL International Conference this weekend. If you are looking for ideas and solutions to your EFL teaching problems, then this is definitely the place to go. Good luck .

I don't know if the OP is looking for help himself or is just reporting what he saw. But I think KOTESOL is well worth attending. I'll be there! :>

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

[Fishead soup]

I'm still waiting for the Steve Shirtzer article

[cruisemonkey]

What are you people doing going to training on a weekend? If my province ever decides I need training, they can bloody-well do it during the week - my EPIK contract states I don't work on Saturdays or Sundays.