Korean Job Discussion Forums

seasghost · Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Location: USA

I am leaving for Korea on the 6th and I am a first time teacher with no teaching experience. Of course the school decided to hire me and they know this, but what could they really be expecting of me?

I'm a fast learner, I know how to follow directions, and I will do my best, but I don't really know how to teach.

If schools are willing to hire someone just because they have a BA and speak english with a north american accent, well there's a lot of people like that.

I just want to know some of what the school's expectations will be. I'd rather know than be surprised later.

Thanks

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Most likely their expectation is that you won't lose any customers and keep the kids happy, creating a facade for their parents that they're actually learning English. Every place is different but chances are that after about three months you'll realise that almost everything you do is just for show.

CBP · Joined: 15 May 2006 Location: Korea

I'm in a similar situation. I leave this Sunday and am getting jittery. I have some basic teaching experience and a smidgen of training, but really I'm just as green as you are. My school is having me do some observations before I begin teaching. But at this point I don't think anything can prepare me for the first-day jitters.

From what I've been reading on this forum, I fully expect a rather large learning curve, with highs and lows and a lengthy adjustment to a new life overseas. As far as what my school expects from me, they will want me to follow their curriculum and to engage their students in English conversation. I've got a basic structure in mind from my training, and I've put together some basic activities that I plan to use for when I feel like I'm struggling with the curriculum. But ... what if I don't meet their expectations, or they don't meet MY expectations?

Anyway, good luck!

techno_the_cat · Joined: 30 Aug 2006

I wouldn't worry too much about it. As Yu Bum Suk said, it's pretty much donkey work. Just keep up the facade of professionalism, keep the kids happy, and keep your self happy. It will take you a few months before you really get the hang of what you're doing and a few months after that before you start getting things really worked out and perfected.

Good luck CBP and seasghost.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

As the other posters said you really just need to show up and do your best. You will be fine.

I took a TESOL class before I started in Korea. Everything we learned on techniques can be found in this book �How to Teach English� by Jeremy Harmer. There are a lot of other good books around if you have time to check out your local library before you leave.

If you have to come up with your own lesson ideas (most likely you will not) there are a lot of good resources online or on this forum. You might want to look now and create a simple 45 minute lesson right now. As I said you will most likely not need it, but it will give you a chance to be familiar with the kind of things you will be teaching and if on the odd chance you are thrown into a class you will have it in your pocket.

Good luck!

Boodleheimer · Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 4:17 pm Post subject:

don't get stressed at all. i came here from 3 years in China (1 year working at a uni, 1 year working at a college), and i had tons (i mean TONS) more responsibility there. here, i'm a white face with blue eyes. and huge knockers.

i designed a curriculum to last a whole year (and for three separate grades) in August. with all the last-minute lesson cancellations and assorted bs at a public school, it'll last 2 years easily. i'm not allowed to give grades, and the students never do anything i assign as homework. i'm a joke and it pisses me off.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

CBP · Joined: 15 May 2006 Location: Korea

I'm going to be a hard ass with my students. That's one thing I've been very clear about. So seasghost, do read up on the discipline threads on this board. About the possiblity of not having an observation period, I'm feeling ready for the little wolverines. Bring them on. Probably the most important thing I've taken away from this forum is that I'm not alone in my jitters and that pretty much everyone has been in my shoes.

Signed,

Little Knockers Sad

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Just as a general observation.

You are what you ALLOW yourself to become. If you see yourself as a "joke" then chances are everyone else will.

If you see yourself as a clown, then so will your students and administration.

If you see yourself as a professional educator and consistently act that way (then slowly and probably against their expectations) so will (most) of your students and adminstration.

Privateer · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Location: Easy Street.

For those moments when you run out of things to do or everything went much quicker than expected or it becomes evident there's no way the kids are going to be able to do the lesson you had planned, etc etc get some back-up activities.

There's tons of stuff online. For starters, http://www.ralphsesljunction.com could be handy.

Boodleheimer · Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 7:19 pm Post subject:

snowy32 · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Location: NZ

Before I came to Korea I was told that I'd probably just be a white clown and spend my whole time playing games. I was pretty lucky with my hagwon, I actually teach the kids and it's very rare for me to play games with them (this is the way the director wants it). It's still a hagwon so my boss doesn't want us to be too strict with the kids (he expects us to control our classes without using any discipline?!?) but on the whole I was very pleasantly suprised when I arrived.
I think it's just the luck of the draw, some hagwons are all about fun and games and some are after genuine results.
good luck! I hope you have a great time when you arrive.

CBP · Joined: 15 May 2006 Location: Korea

I'm very professional. I have high standards, but I'm also light hearted and giggly. I would say, though, that my concern is how the other teachers will receive me. My dedication and enthusiasm isn't always appreciated by my coworkers. People I've worked with before have been jealous for various reasons and have whispered unkind things behind my back. This always makes me want to please them, to go out of my way to befriend them and make them like me. But of course that never produces anything useful/worthwhile. Often it leaves me feeling insecure and uncomfortable. I'm feeling very focused in my move to Korea, and I have my priorities in order, but old habits do creep up. I've been told that there are some tough personalities at my school, but otherwise it's a great school. I just need to constantly remind myself why I'm there and to stay clear of situations that were in place prior to my arrival.

For what it's worth.