Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ieatsmurfs6]

I'm half way through my second PS contract at a High School.

I renewed my contract because I found myself getting pretty comfortable at the school and I thought that I was getting better at this whole teaching thing. I had a lot of problems during my first year working with apathetic students who would rather goof off then pay attention. While I *can* control them and get them into listening to me with a lot of work, I find that they can't retain any information from week-to-week (I see each class every second week).

For the longest time I blamed myself. I thought I wasn't doing well enough at it or trying hard enough. I thought that I wasn't being creative enough. I tried and tried to get through to the students and feel like I have failed.

If I do have a good class and the students do participate and everything goes according to plan, then if I quiz them on what they learned in the previous class during the next week I always, without a doubt, discover that they've forgotten everything. I guess what the real problem is, is that they don't file information gleaned from my class under the "important" section of their brain. They only seem to remember things that are directly related to what will be on tests. If I review the textbook with them they always seem to remember or at least know it from another class, if I teach my own topic then it seems that even though they appear to be learning and paying attention, they have no desire to use it or remember it in the long term.

So I'm thinking of moving on to middle school for my next contract. I figure that before the insane studyfest that is High School, and before the normal adolescent problems that High School students face... the students might be more "into" my classes.

Do you think this is right? Is anyone here what you would call a successful High School teacher? Are Middle School students more receptive to participating and at least, trying?

The reason I'm bringing this up today is because I had a horrible class this morning in which I gave the students free time for the first time that I've been teaching. I came to work an hour early to prepare for the class (a very low level class that needs a special lesson plan each week) and had "teacher's block" right up until the class began. I couldn't think of anything and the only things I could think of are things I've used before. I went into the class with nothing and gave them free time. Sucks.

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

I will just say that elementary school students aren't any different, my kids forget most of the things by the next class, and I can only assume most middle schoolers would be the same.

[shifter2009]

[nomad-ish]

i think high school would be better, but i haven't taught that age level (only middle school). i've heard from my friends who teach at high schools that the kids tend to be a little more mature and that a lot of classes are cancelled for exams or exam prep.

[JJJ]

You've been here for a couple years and you can see that regarding elementary, middle, high school and even university that it's a crap shoot.

One year could be great, the next, a huge stress test. The principal (or V-P or co-worker) could be great and easy going, and next term could be gone and you've got a by the book pain in the arse breathing down your back every week.

It's sheer luck of the draw that some get a great school and those that do, usually stay as long as they can and don't tell too many about it. I'm still hoping to get lucky someday.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

[pjmancktelow]

i know you didnt ask. but i'd say elementry is where its at if you wanna feel your making a change. yes, a lot of my students forget. but a lot also learn at least a little. and the level is so low that you see the gains in their ability quicker.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Korean teachers have always said to me that HS girls are the easiest to teach.

HS boys can be OK.....can depend on the area. Poorer area being better.

Spoilt, slack, jerk HS boys make my blood boil.

OP-you have classes once a fortnight? Sounds like a total waste of time.

[pjmancktelow]

im the same in elementry, once a fortnight wiht me and all the time with my 2 coteachers. its ok, my co's do a good job in my case though.

[son of coco]

I teach middle school and, generally speaking, the boys are hopeless. Just as someone described them (and the HS boys), they're a lot lazier, less enthusiastic and ruder than the girls (who are usually a pleasure to teach all bar 1 class or so).

The boys seem to alternate between thinking they're too cool for school and acting like they're 5. The girls can at least attempt a conversation and take interest in the class activities.

[ieatsmurfs6]

[jvalmer]

- Girls middle school and girls high school are great. I love teaching girls.
- Boys middle schools are always terrible.
- Boys high schools depends if they are academic or not.
- Mixed schools, I've never taught in one, so no idea.
- Small village schools with 30-50 student, total. Almost always a pleasure to teach.

In my experience. In girls schools you maybe don't like a few of them, maybe 3 in 1000 students. In boys schools you don't like whole classes, like 10 of 20 classes.

[winterfall]

I'm at a vocational hs. I teach the kids once a week and I've already noticed they don't retain information. Even if everyone's participating and we're having a blast. A more experienced vet pointed out its not our teaching that's the problem.

It's the schedule. We see the kids once a week. In your case every two weeks and there's no continuity with their normal English lessons. And I know these kids aren't speaking English or practicing pronunciation in the meantime. So by next weeks class its all gone.

I really wonder how seriously the gov takes our program. I mean they're burning a ***** **** load of money recruiting and training us. (Once we're hired, we're cheap). Yet, we're having zero impact and they've got aggressive expansion plans. It boggles the mind.

Anyway, high school girls are easy to teach. Except they talk too much and they're just better at language learning. Across the board, the girls seem to speak English better than boys and they can draw connections faster.

The boys are only easy to teach if they're more afraid of their teachers than you. Though they do have their wild side and their language learning skills at a crawl. They need a LOT OF PICTURES....

If there's any incentive in all this. It's knowing that some of the kids. Like 1 out of 1000 is actually learning and you'll be able to pick out the motivated kids and the ones that don't give a crap.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

[winterfall]