Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zackback]

With all this emphasis on grammar what is my purpose for being here teaching at my hagwon? It seems my classes aren't that important compared to the K teachers classes where grammar is taught in order for students to excel on their school tests. If that's the case why do they spend all this money just to have me teach?

[myenglishisno]

[Zackback]

That's what I figured. White with blue eyes.

[winterfall]

Simple. Most of the people you work with burned out years ago but they stayed in teaching because its a job. The ones who honestly and sincerely believe in teaching will go out of their way to make sure your lessons have as much impact as theirs. The rest will treat you like a glorified assistant and try to dump as much of their work onto you.

[bobbybigfoot]

I think we are some weird fascination for Korean moms. They like to know we are around, but not too much.

We're like third string quarterbacks.

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

I thought you were here for the babes????

[Unposter]

Sorry to be serious here but I'll give it a try here.

English education is actually a controversial issue surrounding Korean culture, identity and economy. In fact, the very idea of you being an "Assistant Teacher" is highly controversial, hence why you are an "Assistant Teacher."

As far as I can tell, the Korean economy and academic establishment needs bi-lingual or near bi-lingual work force and most Korean familes, especially those who live in the Gangnam part of Seoul who want their children to land high status, high paying positions, would like their children to grow up bi-lingually.

The system was fine when English education was limited to grammar and listening skills for all and English conversation skills for the rich people who could afford to hire native speakers to teach their kiddies how to speak. For the people who could afford it, positions of the highest status and highest pay became available and the rest of the population were told that learning English was too hard and they would lose their Korean identity.

Most people accepted these reasons but once they saw that the good jobs went to those who could speak English they got mad and demanded that they too be taught how to speak English. So, the Korean government decided what the heck lets put a FT in every elementary school...then it was middle and high schools... then it was two in every elementary school...and anyway if you are here you know the story.

Of course, this meant that maybe every kid in Korea could learn to speak English and the wealthy would not have a reason to explain their priviledge. It also meant that KETs had to learn to speak English but if they could speak English they would have already had a much higher paying job at Samsung. So, why bother?

So, such English teachers don't want you to replace them so they don't do anything in your class or they tell you that you should be able to speak Korean in class or they tell you you should not teach communicatively or anything else that might make you superior to them.

Furthermore, you have ultra-nationalists and under-educated people who worry that if too many people are able to speak English it will somehow make life and economy disadvantageous to them so they complain that English education will destroy the Korean identity.

In essence, you are a pawn in a larger political and economic discussion in Korea.

My advice try to do the best you can with the limited resources and support you are given (congrats to you if you have a lot - maybe your school is in a more affluent neighborhood) and try to make a difference in your students life if you can.

My other advice is to avoid thinking about the larger discussion. People who worry about ultra-nationalists and co-teachers working hard to save their jobs are only going to make themselves worrying. Do a good job, enjoy your life and don't worry about it.

Good luck!

[Ramen]