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sweetrevenge
Joined: 24 Dec 2013
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 Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:08 am Post subject: My feelings are hurt |
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| I teach the first 45 minutes of my class and a co teacher teaches the remaining 90 minutes for one of my classes, but today 2 of my students intentionally stayed right outside my door until class was finished. This job is a means to an end but I can't help but feel hurt that they intentionally just skipped my class without communicating or attempting to communicate with me directly. I don't care if you think my class is bad but this kind of behavior makes me look horrible to my director and coteachers. The worst part is that the other guy is just playing clips from a workbook. Today I tried to do a debate which failed horribly but if they want to do boring excercises by all means at least try to tell me before just skipping class right in my face. Hell why not even bring in english homework and let me do it for you, I just don't understand why they would do this intentionally it makes no sense. |
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andrewchon
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Location: Back in Oz. Living in ISIS Aust.
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:18 am Post subject: |
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| Do you have any history with the duo? Like done anything to make them mad at you? |
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sweetrevenge
Joined: 24 Dec 2013
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:22 am Post subject: |
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| No, Im a new teacher and just started at the beginning of March. I noticed that sometimes that they would just put their head down in class but they never communicated with me directly or anything like that about this. I thought the whole point of me being there is to interact with an english speaking person and to use me as a resource. If you don't like the lessons, say it to my face and I'll try something else. This whole behind the back thing is really what is pissing me off. |
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le-paul
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Location: dans la chambre
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:23 am Post subject: |
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You must be pretty new at this?
If you are, one thing you need to learn is that about three percent of the children you will ever teach, would rather be in your classroom studying English than doing something else - its probably nothing personal.
If not, Id want to ask the other teachers/director why no-one thought to send that kid into your room or question why they were sitting in the hallway, when their parents have paid for an hour of teaching with a foreign teacher. |
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sweetrevenge
Joined: 24 Dec 2013
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:28 am Post subject: |
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| Like I said, I don't care if they hate my class or think that my class is boring, but I think that they complained to their parents and then there parents complained to my director or whatever. Admittedly, the class is slightly weak in english so me being there isn't as helpful as a native speaker with limited english knowledge. The irony was that I realized this earlier and decided that worksheets is the best way for them to learn but then I think they complained that class was too boring or whatever. The worst part about my situation is that my coteacher also prints out worksheets and does busywork but he gets a pass because he is a native speaker. |
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sweetrevenge
Joined: 24 Dec 2013
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:38 am Post subject: |
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Your idealogy is wrong they are not paying guests they are customers. If the customer wants something then I have to adapt no questions asked. If the customer refuses to communicate with me about a problem then that reflects bad on my director, the school, and ultimately could get me fired. I have to bring this up to my director as soon as I can because this is pretty serious. Its not that my feelings are hurt, Really, I don't give a shit about this job. But unless I want to get sent home early I have to meet expectations.
The worst part about this whole thing is that I use google translate and pictures from google translate, I also try to speak broken Korean too which gets a few laughs. The reason I do this was so that they can communicate with me and tell when I'm doing something wrong. This actually happened on Monday when a student complained that I was taking too long on a particular question and I listened to the student. This whole situation is just making me look very bad for no good reason. |
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sweetrevenge
Joined: 24 Dec 2013
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:45 am Post subject: |
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| False alarm. Apparently, one of the students had a math class and the other had a doctor appointment. |
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le-paul
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Location: dans la chambre
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:49 am Post subject: |
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| sweetrevenge wrote: |
| False alarm. Apparently, one of the students had a math class and the other had a doctor appointment. |
It might be a false alarm but if you're getting this bend out of shape about that incident, and youre very worried about getting fired generally, id maybe have a little meeting with the boss. You can talk about expectations or ask for a small appraisal - that way youre covering your back.
Playing to students whims will get you no-where. |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 5:20 am Post subject: |
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| sweetrevenge wrote: |
| Like I said, I don't care if they hate my class or think that my class is boring |
Do your best to make sure the class is not too boring. For instance you definitely want to use games, plenty of them, where the children are in teams and running around at the board. |
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Hokie21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 8:28 am Post subject: |
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| sweetrevenge wrote: |
Your idealogy is wrong they are not paying guests they are customers. If the customer wants something then I have to adapt no questions asked. If the customer refuses to communicate with me about a problem then that reflects bad on my director, the school, and ultimately could get me fired. I have to bring this up to my director as soon as I can because this is pretty serious. Its not that my feelings are hurt, Really, I don't give a shit about this job. But unless I want to get sent home early I have to meet expectations.
The worst part about this whole thing is that I use google translate and pictures from google translate, I also try to speak broken Korean too which gets a few laughs. The reason I do this was so that they can communicate with me and tell when I'm doing something wrong. This actually happened on Monday when a student complained that I was taking too long on a particular question and I listened to the student. This whole situation is just making me look very bad for no good reason. |
Actually no, you're wrong. Your students are not paying customers, their parents are. Students do not get to dictate your lessons, if they knew better their parents wouldn't be paying for you to be there. What you just posted is a cop out. I suggest you take control of your class and teach. You will usually find one or two kids in each class who is a hard case, take them aside and speak to them, never expect them to come to you, you're the adult, they are the child.
Oh...and stop with the broken Korean, just teach English, that is what they flew you out here for. |
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sweetrevenge
Joined: 24 Dec 2013
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:26 am Post subject: |
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| Of course the parents pay, but the parents ask the kids 'how is class' and the kid says my teacher was horrible and then the parents complain. Also, I'm talking about a class who can barely speak english at all. What good is knowing english if I can't communicate with them at all? Thats why I have to use google image/google translate just to get a point across. Your entire message comes across as condescending by the way, and I've never said anything about the kids being condescending. In fact, I wish they'd be condescending cuz at least they'd be attempting a communicate with me, as it stands right now, I feel like I'm talking to a wall. |
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Hokie21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| sweetrevenge wrote: |
| Of course the parents pay, but the parents ask the kids 'how is class' and the kid says my teacher was horrible and then the parents complain. Also, I'm talking about a class who can barely speak english at all. What good is knowing english if I can't communicate with them at all? Thats why I have to use google image/google translate just to get a point across. Your entire message comes across as condescending by the way, and I've never said anything about the kids being condescending. In fact, I wish they'd be condescending cuz at least they'd be attempting a communicate with me, as it stands right now, I feel like I'm talking to a wall. |
I'm sorry if it comes across as condescending but from reading the title of this thread and realizing it was because two students who can barely speak English skipped your class I felt a bit of tough love was needed here. I'm assuming this is your first teaching gig and the sooner you realize not to take things personal the better your life will be.
These are Korean kids, they attend multiple academies 6 days a week. You will ALWAYS find kids in a class who do not want to be there. You need to make the best with what you've got.
If you're worried about kids complaining then you need to work with your co-teachers. If parents are going to complain then they will complain to the co-teacher, it's better for you that the co-teacher knows about these problems and can contact the parents before this happens. |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 2:37 am Post subject: |
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| sweetrevenge wrote: |
The worst part about this whole thing is that I use google translate and pictures from google translate, I also try to speak broken Korean too which gets a few laughs. |
You might want to rethink your approach. You've been hired as a native speaker, not an ersatz Korean teacher. It takes time but by using simple repetitive english your students will start to understand your speaking & respond to it. As a newb it'll take some trial & error but strive for activities & expectations that are level-appropriate. Try your best to get through to your kids in english. Thats what bosses want & parents pay for. Most of your students will actually appreciate it too. |
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son of coco
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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| sweetrevenge wrote: |
Your idealogy is wrong they are not paying guests they are customers. If the customer wants something then I have to adapt no questions asked. If the customer refuses to communicate with me about a problem then that reflects bad on my director, the school, and ultimately could get me fired. I have to bring this up to my director as soon as I can because this is pretty serious. Its not that my feelings are hurt, Really, I don't give a shit about this job. But unless I want to get sent home early I have to meet expectations.
The worst part about this whole thing is that I use google translate and pictures from google translate, I also try to speak broken Korean too which gets a few laughs. The reason I do this was so that they can communicate with me and tell when I'm doing something wrong. This actually happened on Monday when a student complained that I was taking too long on a particular question and I listened to the student. This whole situation is just making me look very bad for no good reason. |
If you are treating your students like customers then it's your ideology that is way out of whack. I'm not saying they aren't customers, but as soon as you start treating them as such then you've already lost the game in my opinion. They are students - there to learn. Not to organise classes, or run the academy, or get everything they want because they are paying money.
Just be confident in what you're doing and deliver it. It's going to be a long year if you ask 'how high' every time a student says 'jump'. Given the students don't know how to speak English, and likely won't learn anytime soon, I don't think I'd be worrying too much about what they think the perfect lesson is. You could spend 3 hours planning the perfect lesson and still be met with disinterested students. If you look to them for advice on your lessons, then you're basically admitting to them that you don't know what you're doing. I wouldn't be too keen for feedback personally, and if you do ask for it, do it in a formal manner - via a feedback form or something similar that you hand out once every so often.
Oh, andI stopped parents interfering in my lessons at my old school by inviting them in to show me how to teach an English lesson. Never heard a word after that. Maybe try something similar. |
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I'm With You
Joined: 01 Sep 2011
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| Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 2:09 am Post subject: Re: My feelings are hurt |
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| sweetrevenge wrote: |
| today 2 of my students intentionally stayed right outside my door until class was finished. |
You really are sweet. Too sweet for this racket.
You need thick skin, my friend. This is the norm. People - fellow Canadian teachers or Korean teachers and students will routinely go behind one's back to voice disapproval.
It's the norm. Get used to it. |
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