Korean Job Discussion Forums

[3DR]

So this year, I was renewing, but they were going to move me to an elementary school because of the phase out of native teachers in middle and high schools (I'm in middle).

However, my VP and principal wanted me for another year, so they talked to the education office and got me to stay one more year.

Now, they still brought in two Korean English Conversation class teachers who I assumed were going to replace me if I left.

It is a disaster. It's not even their fault. They had no training (like we did), the classes don't seem to respect them, the principal expects them to speak in complete English even though the kids KNOW they are Korean and can understand them, and they have basically been thrown into the sharks. They seem completely overwhelemed

I was talking to one of them after the principal had a meeting, and she said it's been difficult because there is just no possible way for her to explain some things because she doesn't have the native level ability like we do. She definitely thinks we are better suited for the job and they are basically replacing us to save money.

If they are going to go this route after kicking us out, they need to at least provide some training, support, and what to do for them because it won't go well otherwise. Thoughts?

[Who's Your Daddy?]

They don't care if it works or not.

[Times30]

For the sake of the students, I hope the government goes beyond theory and figures out a tangible way to teach English that can not only preserve the jobs of the foreigner language instructors but also create some for Korean instructors as well.

Right now it's turned into a Lose/Lose/Lose situation for all parties.

[le-paul]

i think it would be a great shame. Not only from the perspective of teaching languages but for the life lessons we can teach them. We have a great deal of collective experience to draw from. I think (although i can only speak from personal experience here), our discipline methods would be missed as well as our encouragement and personal interest in students welfare.

[Drew345]

The students are going to get really good at passing grammar and vocabulary tests. That seems to be what the department of education wants if they are pushing for Korean teachers for English.

[Julius]

[tophatcat]

[Fox]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Unposter]

Fox,

Nice post. I age wholeheartedly and I am impressed at your efforts to help disadvantaged students in a rural location.

[Weigookin74]

Just like with foriegn engineers and scientists, we bring a certain level of creativity to the field because our educational experiences aren't simply about passing the test. I've met many straight "A" students in the west who lacked creativity but a many "B" and "C" students who had creativity and energy. So, take it as you may. But, we bring a certain something energetic to the field and we can also function outside the Korean Confucian Hiararchy that lets us connect with the kids differently. There are many advantages to having us here that aren't always evident on paper. If Korea is to become an exporting nation and a tourist destination, knowing English and being aware of other cultures is a good thing.

[le-paul]

somewhat relevant to this thread; my korean gf this week was asked by her hogwan director to pose as a gyopo teacher. she is not allowed to speak korean at all in case the students report to their parents. this includes to her co-t's. she has to lie about where shes from and if she needs to speak korean to anyone, they have to hide in the toilet. her english is good, but its racked with grammar problems and she has a very strong accent. her native co- teacher apparently supports this as he thinks its what we should all be aspiring too.

its started...

[cheezsteakwit]

[3DR]

Great. So now because the teachers are struggling, they are going to have me teach grammar, and they will teach listening and speaking. Seems legit.

[The Cosmic Hum]