Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Geumchondave]

Me and another teacher from the neighboring public school both flew out very late and missed orientation and I was hoping to get some clarification on exactly what our roles should be.
In the hand book it makes it very clear the we are here as teaching assistants but in the classroom I am teaching pretty much solo - there is alway another teacher in the room to deal with discipline and will occasionally translate a few words when necessary - for me this is not a problem as I have done some teaching before and im fairly comfortable but the teacher from the school next door is finding it difficult and is getting very little guidance and I wanted to know what kind of work load other gepik teachers have?

[DosEquisXX]

If it's like EPIK, then not too much. You'll get adjusted to lesson planning for your classes fairly quickly if you already have teaching experience.

Rather than classes being interrupted by breaks, it often feels that your breaks are being interrupted by classes.

[Missihippi]

in the GEPIK teacher guidebook, it states that the FT should teach approximately 90% of the time while the KT assissts as necessary and teaches 10% of the time. Afterschool programs are different and you will likely be teaching solo. Every school is different and that is just a guide, you should be thankfull that you get the freedom to teach as you like in your classroom.

[Geumchondave]

Thanks guys - I didnt really think anything was wrong, and im actually fairly happy - the main thing is the I havent been given any kind of long term goal or syllabus for my class but im going to try and sit down with my co-teacher today and get some answers. As far as the neighboring teacher goes she is a bit more concerned, thinking she would have a real easy ride of it but we shall see what happens

[lifeinkorea]

[ThingsComeAround]

[nathanrutledge]

[ThingsComeAround]

[creeper1]

Agreed.For middle shcool at least the KTs don't know why you are here or what to do with you- It's just policy that every school gets a wonomin (native speaker). You don't know what you are supposed to do either. Makes for a interesting equation.

Just teach them what you like. Make good lesson plans because it they are weak (or your coteacher is) your lessons very quickly become a riot and ONE BIG WASTE OF TIME.

[Geumchondave]

yes I have really meant a curriculum - when I taught in the UK my students where nearly all working toward the cambridge exam, and so I knew vaguely what direction my classes should be heading - what kind of things came up and what areas I needed to focus on.
Thanks for the constuctive criticism - il defo take a look at the materials recomended

I wasnt pissing and moaning about not being given everything on a plate so perhaps when someone starts a thread with 'I have just arrived' people might want to slightly consider their tone before replying - seriously it was just a request for information, I would have thought teachers could at least act professionally when dealing with a new colleague - As I say I am quite used to teaching and so I just wanted to know how to adapt to the Korean main stream education system and what boxes the students would need to tick - which is why I asked people working in the field.

[Geumchondave]

yes I have really meant a curriculum - when I taught in the UK my students where nearly all working toward the cambridge exam, and so I knew vaguely what direction my classes should be heading - what kind of things came up and what areas I needed to focus on.
Thanks for the constuctive criticism - il defo take a look at the materials recomended

I wasnt pissing and moaning about not being given everything on a plate so perhaps when someone starts a thread with 'I have just arrived' people might want to slightly consider their tone before replying - seriously it was just a request for information, I would have thought teachers could at least act professionally when dealing with a new colleague - As I say I am quite used to teaching and so I just wanted to know how to adapt to the Korean main stream education system and what boxes the students would need to tick - which is why I asked people working in the field.

[Geumchondave]

actualy discount that last comment - did some looking at our dear colleagues earlier work and should not have fed the troll - thanks for the info on the korean curriculum

[ThingsComeAround]

OP-

you at an elementary, middle or high school?

[Geumchondave]

High School