Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

Does anyone have to do this?

Seriously, this has got to be the absolute worst way that KTs use FTs... and any KT who does this makes me wonder if they're just out to prove that NETs are worthless out of racism or whatever reason.

You're not even speaking in a natural way like this.. you're basically just substituting for the CD-Rom... and this is the kind of BS that helps to make the case that NETs are overpaid.

Please, if your co-teacher is doing this to you, don't just sit back and 'enjoy the break'... complain about it to someone higher up.

Or quit.

[jvalmer]

I had to do this my first six months here. Absolutely loved it, I never had to worry about lesson plans or anything. Easiest six months of pay I ever had in my life.

[sigmundsmith]

Its unfortunate but that is the way Koreans learn. I mean all their subjects are just regurgitation of the teacher or the text book and there is no encouragement to critically think or experiment.

Public schools teaching methods are designed for the KSAT tests (including English assessment) so deviating from the plan can be quite challenging.

When I worked public school for the first 6 months it was the same - repeat what the CD said. But if you demonstrate some knowledge in SLA processes and utilize different techniques of teaching strategies that actually get students to communicate with each other and interact in a meaningful, may be your co-teacher and school will come around.

When I wanted to implement new methods of teaching there was great hesitation from my co-teacher. Her responses were that the students will find this too difficult or they don't know how to do this or that. Be persuasive in your position and say give it some time. If it doesn't work I will go back to being the tape recorder.

By the time that term was finished, my co-teachers and school seemed to have faith in my approach as it showed a marked improvement on the students communicative ability compared to the traditional methods of L2 teaching here.

[RMNC]

[Fishead soup]

I did it for a long time. It's the result of a failure to communicate effectively. I've recently started using material from Interchange , Side by Side and Tell Me More Andrew Finch. You'd be surprised to find out how much these kids actually know when given half the chance. It's like a massive vault in a bank of information stored in their short term memory. Usually either the co-teacher or the curriculum is in the way.

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

[jvalmer]

[Fishead soup]

Depends on whether your still teaching the large homeroom classes with multi-level students. I can't imagine being a human tape recorder in the English lab that is really designed for more communicative activities.

[RMNC]

[iggyb]

I posted something basically similar to this about trying to get extra material added to our lessons. It isn't going terribly, but it isn't going to be worth a fight for me.

I have more ESL teaching experience than either of my co-teachers, but I was swatted down from taking control of classes right away, and I've slowly been told to stick to the book - even having activities I've planned for being cut short and told to do something else right at the start of an activity...

When I have to have my plans scrutinized and have to modify - during class or just before the next one starts - and have to go by their guidance - when they don't ask for my input as to how their own activities have been going --- it discourages putting much effort into giving the kids what they need...

[Bill2K]

[iggyb]

On criticizing NSETs for being useless:

One minor irritation for me this week was -- since I'm bored to death most class periods because I don't get to teach much and given little control over material to teach -- I spend most of my time walking around class telling students to be quiet, stay in their seats, stop playing with each other, and to look and listen and be quiet.

When I'm teaching, my co-teachers do very little of this.

Fine.

But, one co-teacher stopped a couple of my activities short this week by interrupting me to tell me enough students weren't paying attention and then suggested I do something different/new right then or just took over the class.

I wonder how that would work if I took over the class when I felt they weren't listening to her (which certainly happens) or when they were clearly bored of the book?

Or another example, I had gone over what I was planning to do with my part of the class the day before. Then today, just as students were coming into class, the co-teachers hands me a picture related to the textbook and tells me I should "teach it". When I asked what I was to teach about it, I got nothing.

When I asked about putting the DVD into the computer to work from it, she said she wanted them to do more than just listen and repeat the DVD.

I started doing what I could with the material just dropped in my lap, but apparently it wasn't good enough, because she jumped in and took over and then quickly moved onto material she had prepared...

[fungrel]

So, new to SK hey? sure sounds like it.

Being passive and not assertive is the key to your misery.

Engage with the co. Don't come off as being an ar$e, just try as tactfully as possible your feelings.

That's the only advice i can give.

[some waygug-in]

[West Coast Tatterdemalion]

RMNC is right on the mark. Agree completely. Teaching in Korea is very, very easy. A no stress thing. When you are out pounding the pavement in the good 'ol USA, you will see how easy we've got it over. here. If my school wants me to be a tape recorder, I have no problem doing that. Just as long as that money come in. I also never mix school and home. Once I'm done for the day, that's it. I don't take any work home with me and I don't stress about the kids or anything else. It really is a pretty good gig here and that's why I've stayed for a spell.