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core2000
Joined: 02 Jan 2007
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 Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:23 am Post subject: A few Questions |
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I just have a few questions that I haven't been able to find on the forums so far. (I've been ghosting for about a week now)
A few things about me. I've been working constantly in Accounts Payable for 7 years, and I'm coming to Korea as a sort of break (I know that teaching is hard work, but I need a change, and this seems like a good option) I'll also be in Korea from March as a tourist for a while to get some sense of the place before I apply for a position.
1. Generally what is the level of english with a new class when starting.. I'm not really talking about the Kindegarden classes, but the schoolkids & adults. Is it the case that they have basic english, but need encouragement/work on the conversation & grammar? (I understand that all schools are different, but there's got to be some sort of average)
2. What do schools really expect from non-experienced teachers? I understand that they're hiring us for our conversational ability, but is there an expectation of us fullfilling proper teacher roles? I'm from a family of teachers, and I understand from their own conversations that there is alot required in teaching that you can't just make up (especially with younger students).
3. As a complete n00b in all of this, are there any common pitfalls when starting teaching that we should try to avoid? The kind of mistakes that you regret making and remember to this day. I don't have any real knowledge of Korea and their culture/manners so I wanted to avoid any starting issues.
4. Lastly, when there is a set course laid out by the school, is that easier for the teachers to use than their own material. I guess I mean to ask, how much does the set course & textbooks affect our ability to influence the classroom? |
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ajuma
Joined: 18 Feb 2003
Location: Anywere but Seoul!!
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| Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:10 am Post subject: |
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These are some good questions...but SOOOO hard to answer!!
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| Generally what is the level of english with a new class when starting |
A lot lower than you expect. They'll have some nouns and verbs and some adjectives that they can string together, but it takes a fair amount of time to a) understand Korean pronunciation and b) understand Korean English as spoken in hagwons.
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| What do schools really expect from non-experienced teachers? |
They expect you to keep the kids happy. How you do it is up to you. If they learn English as a by-product, all well and good. I know it sounds cynical, but it's reality.
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| As a complete n00b in all of this, are there any common pitfalls when starting teaching that we should try to avoid? |
Have a lesson plan AND (far more important!!) a discipline plan for your classes, even though you don't know if/what you're supposed to teach.
Also, try to keep yourself from saying "But in MY country, we do it this way!!" Yep, and it probably works a whole lot better, but ya ain't gonna change it here, so just "go with the flow" as they used to say! And for heaven sakes, DON'T get upset when your boss gives you NO notice about a change in schedule. It's GOING to happen!! How you deal with it is YOUR problem, not theirs. If you say "Oh, ok...um...but do you think you could give me a little more notice next time so I can do a better job?" you'll look like a winner...but if you have the attitude "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!!! S**T!!!" It'll be more stressful for YOU than for them! I've been here so long that I have the attitude "Well, they'll tell me when I need to know...and if they DON'T tell me, I don't have to do it!!  "
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| Lastly, when there is a set course laid out by the school, is that easier for the teachers to use than their own material. |
For newbies, probably yes. It's a lot easier to go into a class that has a decent book and decent teacher's book or lesson plans than it is to go in cold and told to "teach them conversation." You only begin to build up a working repertoire of material after you've been teaching for some time. |
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core2000
Joined: 02 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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Cheers for the replies. I really appreciate the info. Its funny when you spend so long knowing your own job, to go to something totally different. Still, I dont doubt I'll adapt.
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| A lot lower than you expect. They'll have some nouns and verbs and some adjectives that they can string together, but it takes a fair amount of time to a) understand Korean pronunciation and b) understand Korean English as spoken in hagwons. |
At the beginning would you have the main korean teacher in there with you? Or is it the case that you're introduced and left to fend for yourself? Kinda like throwing u in the deep end to fend off the sharks, so to speak... 
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| They expect you to keep the kids happy. How you do it is up to you. If they learn English as a by-product, all well and good. I know it sounds cynical, but it's reality. |
Actually I quite like that. I'm a firm believer that learning only really comes from enjoying classes. Having my own memories of learning and teaching Irish to youngsters (Teaching Irish being vastly different cause everyone has english to fall back on), I know that happy kids learn quicker, and there's less problems while teaching. As long as i'm not a pushover, that is.
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Have a lesson plan AND (far more important!!) a discipline plan for your classes, even though you don't know if/what you're supposed to teach. |
Good point. thanks. I wasn't quite going to wing it, but it was a close thing. I'll prepare some material in advance, and get some games & such.
The forum here is amazing for the tips. Major Kudos to all of you. |
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trinity24651
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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| You didn't carry over from your previous posting. You DO have to have B.A/B.S. I don't think they settle for anything less. |
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core2000
Joined: 02 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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sorry, figured the threads would be better separate since this one was about the teaching itself, rather than the degree requirement.
If they're that set on a degree requirement I'll probably have to rethink all of this. I can't see myself going back to college for a year, just to get my degree. Thanks for the info though. |
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ajuma
Joined: 18 Feb 2003
Location: Anywere but Seoul!!
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| Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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| At the beginning would you have the main korean teacher in there with you? Or is it the case that you're introduced and left to fend for yourself? Kinda like throwing u in the deep end to fend off the sharks, so to speak... |
I'd count on being thrown to the sharks. If you DO have a K-teacher in the room, s/he may or may not be helpful. The chances of having a K-teacher in the room in a hagwon are like a snowball's chance in.... |
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Fresh Prince
Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Location: The glorious nation of Korea
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| Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:46 pm Post subject: Re: A few Questions |
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| core2000 wrote: |
I just have a few questions that I haven't been able to find on the forums so far. (I've been ghosting for about a week now)
A few things about me. I've been working constantly in Accounts Payable for 7 years, and I'm coming to Korea as a sort of break (I know that teaching is hard work, but I need a change, and this seems like a good option) |
Good for you 
| core2000 wrote: |
| I'll also be in Korea from March as a tourist for a while to get some sense of the place before I apply for a position. |
Smart plan
| core2000 wrote: |
| 1. Generally what is the level of english with a new class when starting.. I'm not really talking about the Kindegarden classes, but the schoolkids & adults. Is it the case that they have basic english, but need encouragement/work on the conversation & grammar? (I understand that all schools are different, but there's got to be some sort of average) |
They learn a lot of vocabulary but have no idea how to use it or pronounce it correctly.
| core2000 wrote: |
| 2. What do schools really expect from non-experienced teachers? |
Be clean and decent looking and do what the boss wants. Each school is different and what the boss wants is different depending on the school.
| core2000 wrote: |
| 3. As a complete n00b in all of this, are there any common pitfalls when starting teaching that we should try to avoid? The kind of mistakes that you regret making and remember to this day. I don't have any real knowledge of Korea and their culture/manners so I wanted to avoid any starting issues. |
Learn as much about Korea and Korean culture as possible before arriving. Use the Search button on Dave's to research your questions as much as possible so that you know what to expect upon arrival.
Use the internet to learn as much as possible about teaching English as a foreign langauge.
Get some kind of intellectual knowledge about how to be a good teacher, even if that means getting a TESL certificate at a local college or going to the local elementary school and ask if you can sit in on a couple classes while watching the teacher. 
Similarly to what you have likely experienced in accounts payable, not everyone (including coworkers and bosses) are honest but many of them are pretty good. Keep an open mind. Don't expect your life to be like it was in the west. It is very different, you may or may not experience the same level of discipline, hygiene, etc. People in other cultures think and experience things differently.
| core2000 wrote: |
| 4. Lastly, when there is a set course laid out by the school, is that easier for the teachers to use than their own material. I guess I mean to ask, how much does the set course & textbooks affect our ability to influence the classroom? |
To each their own. You'll figure out what you like and don't like after you get a little experience under your belt. Some schools have set course books that are not good learning material. Some have good ones. Some let you do whatever you want, some don't. |
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Fresh Prince
Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Location: The glorious nation of Korea
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| Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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| core2000 wrote: |
sorry, figured the threads would be better separate since this one was about the teaching itself, rather than the degree requirement.
If they're that set on a degree requirement I'll probably have to rethink all of this. I can't see myself going back to college for a year, just to get my degree. Thanks for the info though. |
There are plenty of people that go back to college as older than average students. Even if it is more than a year it is totally worth it. Spending a year studying something related to teaching would be a huge asset over here and make your life a lot more enjoyable. |
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trinity24651
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm sorry, OP. Don't give up!!! Get that degree and get over here (well...soon to be over here) with the rest of us!! |
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core2000
Joined: 02 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:20 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies. I'll need to think about the degree aspect. Tbh, the thought of going back to college makes me shudder. Know of anywhere that won't have this degree requirement?
I'm quite intent on getting away from my current work & Ireland, so suggestions would be appreciated, especially if its something I can start within the next 3-4 months. |
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