Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cj1976]

I have only arrived in Korea 9 days ago as a completely inexperienced teacher. My employers knew that I this is my first teaching job and my first time in Korea. However, I was thrown straight into the classroom and just told to teach. One of my fellow teachers (Korean) showed me the books that they were using and then just left it to me without really offering any other support, except to tell me to 'be strict'.
When I got to class none of the kids had books and I might as well have been invisible. I did some research before I left for Korea so I was expecting it to be tough. What made it even tougher was the fact that the Hagwon director chose to sit in on one of my lessons to observe me teaching. I accepted this as fair enough - after all, he had taken the gamble of hiring a newbie teacher - and I listened to the points he raised about my teaching methods.
A week later, another teacher came and observed me - which only had the effect of making me a bit nervous. This time I was given no feedback as to why I was being watched or what the verdict was.
So can anyone tell me if this is routine Hogwan behaviour? I'm beginning to feel a bit anxious about it.

[sheba]

I was thrown into the classroom with no help at all as well.... pretty daunting I know.

Im not sure why theyre continuing to observe you though - why dont you ask them?

It will take a few weeks to get into the swing of things..... if anything crazy happens try to talk some sense into them and just ask for some time. The first few weeks are crazy...

[schwa]

Probably nothing to get over-anxious about.

Its common practice for new inexperienced teachers to get tossed in the deep end. What did your director suggest? Maybe some helpful pointers. A little creepy that a coworker would observe & offer no comment. I agree with the suggestion above -- just ask.

Let them know youre open to constructive criticism -- I'm sure you are.

It takes time to learn class management skills & a reasonable school will understand that. It takes time to develop your own style & a set of teacher tricks.

Meanwhile, yes, be moderately strict with your students, but strive to not let their inevitable misbehaviors get to you. Even if theyre little buggers one day, approach your next class with them as a clean slate. Always enter the classroom with a smile. Speak simply & repetitively & be humorous sometimes.

Your situation is far from unique & most of us went through similar self-questioning. Its a steep learning curve but chances are you'll do fine.

The best advice I ever got but didnt fully fathom till much later -- love your students. Theyre warm-hearted critters & will respond in kind.

[Homer]

Par for the course cj1976.

Call it growing pains.

They invested to bring you here, they want to make sure you can do the job. If the classroom observation bugs you, ask them about it (politely). Go get some feedback as it might help you improve or shed some light on what they are looking for from you.

As for teaching right away, thats often the case here. Not much lead time involved in many cases, just gotta roll with it.

[gdimension]

While I have no idea why they are sitting in on your class, I wouldn't be overly worried about it. Also, a suggestion:

Ask to sit in on an experienced teacher's class.

That's the one thing that helped me get on my feet - seeing how a "vet" teaches and handles a class. (Or seeing how NOT to do something...)

[Son Deureo!]

Is it fair for them to bring an inexperienced teacher over and expect them to start teaching with no training whatsoever? Hell no.

Unfortunately, that seems to be the norm here. It's sink or swim from here on out, but even if your boss is too dense or incompetent to help you learn how to do a good job, there are a lot of resources out there to help you improve. I second the suggestion of observing your coworkers' classes, there are also a lot of good ideas on this board and the Idea Cookbook, and if you don't already know a lot of other English teachers here you probably will soon. Ask them lots of questions, or if you don't know anyone else yet, feel free to ask questions here.

Lots of luck!

[cj1976]

I kind of had a hunch that such occurences were to be expected, but it never hurts to get a second, more experienced opinion. Unfortunately, my learning curve is made a little steeper by the fact that I am the only Westerner at the school. Still, like you guys say, things can only get better! Cheers for the replies though people..

[Grotto]

Did they tell you what you are expected to cover?

The speed at which you are to go through a textbook?

Do you have any leeway in what the students do?

These are all questions to ask.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Absolutely typical. Figure it out for yourself, because even if the Koreans did try to 'train' you, they'd probably have no idea how a FT should teach English.

My first job - given minimal training, most of which I quickly decided I'd discard.

Second job - just thrown in front of classes (of 18-34) and loved it.

After you figure out what you're doing you'll probably love the autonomy, jprovided you get good support from management. Do yourself a huge favour and start scoping out bookshops that have good EFL resources.