Korean Job Discussion Forums

[matthagwon]

I started work at a hagwon about a month ago. I thought everything was going fine until this Saturday when the director met with me and another Korean teacher. The director does not speak English and for about 20 minutes complained to the Korean teacher about me. Apparently a students parent came in and was not satisfied with little " susie's " assessment of my teaching. Susie ( not her real name of course) also has a learning disability and is in the most advanced course the hagwon offers. Also the director explained my classes were boring to some students which is why the have to pass the time with their cellphones.

I am unsure what I should do in this situation I am only a month in and my monetary situation is pretty bad. Has anyone else experienced a situation like this and if so could you reply with how you dealt with the situation.

Thanks

Matt

[EZE]

I know exactly what you mean about having someone with a learning disability in the most advanced class. That has been my situation for most of the past year, but my boss has been aware of the problem and never complained. Now, I have the student in three one-on-one classes each week and it's better for the class and the student.

Your boss is expecting the impossible, but I guess the important thing is to be calm and professional, but firm on your position. If it was me, maybe I'd say something like, "As you know, Susie's learning disability puts her ability and progress significantly behind the other students, but I'll do more to focus on her." Moving her to the front row might be able to give you a better ability to monitor her. For example, if she's not writing answers in her books, you can notice it immediately. With a student like that in a hagwon like that, you'll probably have to write the answers for her on the board so she can copy them into her book since there's no way she's going to be able to on her own. Parents who see a filled-out book with a reasonable amount of red ink from the teacher are usually quiet parents.

Volunteering to teach her in a separate class one-on-one could emphasize that you're not slacking and are willing to resolve the issue in a hard-working and professional manner. Be calm when you talk with the boss, but definitely use the phrase "as you know" when talking about the learning disability to your boss.

[Fox]

[matthagwon]

Thanks for the reply, the Korean teachers at my hagwon have expressed the situation to the boss before I was hired but the boss probably doesn't want to lose the student so she basically sweeps it under the rug and Susie's parent believe their child is a genius.

I'll act professional and see how it goes in the long run. Hopefully it goes well.

[ineedajob]

what grade are you teaching? and what learning disability does susie have?

[YTMND]

You: Ok, sir, what do you want me to do tomorrow?

The Evil School/Hagwon: Teach better.

You: Ok, I will.

The Evil School/Hagwon: Here is some kimchi my mother-in-law made you. Eat it all before tomorrow.

You: Ok, I will.

It will all be forgotten 2 months from now.

=======ALTERNATIVE=========

You: I am going to fight this because I am a bad to the bone foreigner.

The Evil School/Hagwon: You are fired. No kimchi for you.

You huff and puff, threaten to go to labour board, and then realize you still need the letter of release. So, don't do the alternative naive rookie.

[Old fat expat]

If you are new to teaching and teaching children then you will have to figure out how to teach to their level. The boring comment made me think that might be the case.

Being a good teacher is hard and takes some practice. Teaching those with learning disabilities is its own field of study; as is ESL.

How interested are you in teaching or is this a gap year? (no worries either way-I have no problem with the 'adventure' aspect that attracts many to come).

If you are experienced, never mind about what I just said.

[matthagwon]