Recap

Teaching Methods
Previously I stated that I came here with no experience and with the intent to just follow the direction put for by the director or boss of the school or schools that I would work at. This is true and this wasn't mean to be disrespectful. A better word for methods should be STYLE. All schools are set up differently and all teachers bring a different characteristic to the classroom.

I should begin by writing about my perspective of work. I feel in my heart its important to do the best job you can. In my experiences working in Korea I have found that people with authority seldom change their positions on how they feel about certain things. I don't hold any ill will towards previous job sites, directors, or fellow co-workers. It is my job to adapt and grow in accordance to each situation.

I used to work alone in a classroom which meant I had to control the kids 100%, guide them to what I wanted to do whether it was grammar, game, or anything else. Thinking back in Gumi sometimes I wonder what I did in the classroom because I was confused. I didn't do very well because I was young and inexperienced. I mentioned I prepared to much because I was told that I needed to do extra materials.


I am stating the truth  here when I say I was miserable in Gumi. Now, I think more of the blame should be put on me than on the school, kids, etc. Its a harsh thing to say but I didn't belong there. As I said I had to write report cards each month with comments about my kids. I felt ashamed because there was no discipline and kids literally could get away with anything they wanted. I was bitten and called BABO "idiot" and these weren't the worst things that happened to me there. As a result I gave up on what I called "education"- if a kid can't show common sense I didn't want to teach them. So, I tried to be as negative as possible on their report cards so they would hopefully drop.

The irony is that my wife worked there for another year after I left I had the highest amount of students who attended there. After I had left the students began dropping faster. I wanted a chance to walk into a classroom to think and hear my own  voice but the kids would scream and get me in trouble so it wasn't an enjoyable experience. I am not creative I will admit that.


The Educational system or methods that I have now are much different-I share a classroom which means that I don't need to control the kids. That's in my contract. On Wednesdays I teach at another school and I change my class every 20 minutes. I don't care once again that I only have 4 hours of work I care about saving my voice and having the help that I need. In my opinion, I am not suited for teaching kids. I lack patience, creativity, and I am prone to exposing a temper.



Next

Quality and Quantity

As a teacher my sole job is to teach. I want to teach well and do my job effectively. I sincerely mean this. I have been told that I am too sincere. I care too much sometimes. I think this is ironic. At YBM which I truly did love that work there was an incentive for high attendance. If I got a high return I would get some extra month. There was quality in the syllabus because it was designed and implemented each month. I had a foundation to go off of.
In Korea the Korean teachers make money based off of attendance factors alone. That's the truth and its sad since sometimes there were only 5 students in the class. I am not Korean, and I am bound by my own contracts that I agreed to. I don't want to hear complaints about the number of students.

Why is this my problem? Why should it be? Obviously if I don't have students I can't have a job but if there is a program to follow this should fix that potential problem.

As I write this I look at the clock and I notice that I have to leave in maybe 20 minutes. I will be at work early in hopes to discuss a good plan for today. I cringe because chances are I won't be able to get a decent plan rolling in time. I thought or assumed co-teaching was a team effort but apparently not.

I don't keep extra books here because the Korean teacher needs it for a ppt. I can deviate away from the book, nor can I use the workbooks that I could have done in Gumi. Mr. Jeongs method was much better and I see that now.. its only a little too late.


I know that company's must pay the bills to run the place. Its really no different than running your own house. If I am lazy at home and don't pay the bills I get in trouble. If I don't do chores then the house get dirty and everyone feels bad.

My opinion about money is this. I don't care how much you make especially as a foreigner-if a company can't pay you on time, or makes you do extra work without pay than its a bad company and you would be a fool for doing it.  I was told once that YBM has to pay the electricity and other things. I understand that but they do have a duty to just pay me the promised amount regardless of the total amount. (I teach you pay me) that's it.

Kids aren't in the class by choice. They are put there because their parents have no idea how to help them. My problems in the classroom with kids these days stem from improper behavior. They don't exhibit proper social skills. They may be kids but I can't believe that they can call me stupid to my face,etc.

I am disheartened with a lot of the Korean Education system. They don't teach kids right and wrong. They make excuses for them and they also pawn them off as a business venture. I prepared myself for the work force by graduating at a University but I still have a lot of things to learn from people who can't show proper respect.

IT is what it is....
Sometimes I don't think learning English is the real aim in the school. I think crunching numbers, calling parents and insuring the money is the truth.

My agency that I am working at right now is purely business minded. They don't know what Education is. There are two sides to every penny.

The work that is entailed, required or thus my responsibility and the $ or business. I think the $ is the higher force. I do have a kind soul and when I was teaching adults I willingly opened up to them but I can't do that with kids especially when I am surrounded by hypocrites who can't tell the parents that their child is causing problems.

I will go to work now but I think I will elaborate on these points more. I am not a racist nor do I have prejudice but I do have strong convictions that I can see aren't being shared here.