Korean Job Discussion Forums

[butter808fly]

Im getting kinda tired of this job, but maybe its just my mind set. Im sick of repeating myself, Im sick of being criticized for my work and never told Im doing well, Im sick of repeating myself, Im tired of trying to control 10 kids class after class because they are ill behaved (I love kids though!), and kinda tired of trying to talk with children who dont know my language! I feel everytime I talk with them now its such a struggle and they just drain the energy right out of me. I come into work full of energy (pretty much ) but leave totally drained.

I also get very frustrated when I ask a child a simple question and they STILL dont know what Im saying!

Any ideas so I can keep going for the rest of my time here?

(I must admit that *sometimes* there are improvements that make my day or a child is so sweet or something, but really my work environment seems stressful to me)

Thanx!

[I_Am_Wrong]

well...I think you just discovered that you're not cut out to be a teacher.
You can't just expect them to know the language plain and simple...jeez. You have to teach them the language for the questions you ask them, you have to establish meaning for them, and then you have to repeat and review tenfold.

Also, from the very start of a new class be as strict as you can possibly allow yourself and ease up later...the kids will be eating out of your hand. You can have fun in the class but you have to establish boundaries and rules beforehand. Don't ever play into the mindset that "oh...I'm a foreigner and the kids don't respect me"...you're the teacher so make them respect you. Establish classroom rules, stick to them and reward good behavior.

Finally, if they don't understand what you're saying in your instructions then try to use simpler language, increase your body language and use pictures and examples.

You're lucky because you only have 10 kids per class...try dealing with 40.

[Daechidong Waygookin]

True, try 40. But I find that 40 public school kids are way better behaved than 10 hagwon kids. They have the fear of God in their eyes in public school and the devil in their eyes at a hagwon.

[I_Am_Wrong]

just wanted to add

to the op:

You sound like you're ready to quit. I don't think you should give up, just re-think and re-tool your approach. Every experienced teacher I've talked to has always said "it's always harder to bring a class into line later than at the beginning" but this doesn't mean you can't work at it....

Also, if you are going to quit, please do us all a favour and just put in your notice along with an honest conversation with your director.

edit: I think if you talk to any of the people who have taught in the public system you'd find out that it has the potential to be a living nightmare.

[butter808fly]

Thanx, but Im cut out to be a teacher. Im not sure that teaching English is my thing for life, but certainly a year I can handle. Teaching, there are many avenues for teaching.

Yes thats right, and Ive noticed sometimes I expect so much from them when I can hardly say 30 Korean words. Its very hard! Nonetheless, I guess I feel there is a better way I could be teaching them so they can remember more. Reading a book to help me, so I sure hope it does!

You are right that 10 isnt bad, I know! Im just venting and good for you if you can control 40 of em. My kids are pretty well behaved, but I think Ive let a couple of my classes get away with things because they are older. Big mistake.

Thanx for the input.

[Homer]

I agree with I_Am_Wrong.

You are just finding out that you are not made to be a teacher. The annoyances you mention are all teaching related and form the basics of being a teacher.

[butter808fly]

the devil, oh dear! I wouldnt go that far. But, its something about kids.. if they sense you are sick or feeling weak one day they jump at the opportunity to take advantage.

Im sure my behavior management skills arent what I thought they were as well. I guess time to become hard and punishing teacher. I felt so disrespected today!

[d503]

Hey you also might be feeling a lot of this because of what I lovingly call "the time I want to go fetal and eat Kraft Mac and cheese by the box." Or about the third to fifth month you are away from all that is normal to you. At least for me that is when all those "this sucks" "Korea is hell" "why can't anyone talk English" and "my mommy loves me" thoughts pop up. So I say go for it, stick it out and yeah try to shake up your style a little, maybe you are just getting bored with yourself.

[turtlepi1]

[the eye]

[oneiros]

As others above me have said, between four and six months you're hitting a major culture fatigue period. Give it another couple of months and see if you still feel the same way.

[butter808fly]

Oh good, thank you for the positive responses. I was just venting this evening after a long day. Dumb it up a bit, yeah good idea. Ive played a new game the past couple of days and the kids dig it while I know they are using their English skills. I have definatly realized that its time to change things up a bit and time for a new routine.

One thing Ive learned in life, sure its fine to complain.. as long as you are willing to look for a solution.

Thanx! appreciate the help. I dont plan to end up in a fetal position, but this definatly is the first time Ive cried 'i love my mommy' (funny.. ) or something to that affect. Im sure it will pass, especially as i shop my brains out this coming weekend.

[margaret]

What do you do for recreation? Many forms of "recreation" are not truly relaxing or recreating. (I consider shopping in this category.) I love the bathhouses and hopefully you are walking and getting exercise. Maybe it's not that you don't like teaching but you aren't getting sufficient recovery and therefore burning out.
Margaret

[Grotto]

Dont listen to the two sour posters(how anyone can say you arent cut out to be a teacher because you are having a bit of a bad time, are a couple of clowns)

If this is your first year in Korea you might be hitting the homesick session. Usually after about 3 months(things are no longer new, the honeymoon session with the hogwan owner is over, you start to get in a rut) many teachers find themselves doubting whether this is what they want to do, missing their friends and family, frustrated with the lack of noticible improvement in their students, frustrated with the lack of decent materials, and generally fed up with the stupidity of the hogwan owner.

DONT let it get you down it happens to everyone, even people who have been here for a couple of years!

Find things for the students to do that you enjoy. I bought a wooden model of the dragon ship and with my older students we put it together and then they had to write a story about the people who sailed on it....they got into it and enjoyed it and worked damn hard. Spice it up for your sake and thiers.

[I_Am_Wrong]

hey hey now Grotto....I'll admit that my first post was a bit sour but not anywhere as sour as the op's and I did follow up with something more positive. I'm sure that 99% of us have felt how the op is feeling (I know I have since I've been in Korea and many times at other points in my life) and when life gets like that it's time to either put up or shut up. From the op's first post I immediately got the impressions that she was on the brink of giving up so I posted to possibilities in my replies and a little nudging that was only intended to hopefully help instill a bit of conviction to prove me wrong.