I know I said that I wasn't going to write much more about work but I need to get some more things out in the open. First off, I think if I was going to continue the Teacher's Corner posts this would be a good magazine subscription, don't you think so?
I spent 6 hours at the school today. I had to prepare a little and help my wife get situated. I am sorry to say its still a mess. I am more busy now since my wife is now apart of the working team at Anmin school. She has to be there at 12 which means that she leaves at 11:00, I leave at approx. 1pm and get to the school with 20 minutes to spare before my first class.
Teaching skill is a work in constant progress. It hasn't been easy for me teaching as well as living in Korea I have unfortunately been obvious in my posts about this. Today I had some difficulty controlling the last group of kids-they are the kings of the castle. They are in 6th grade and they are literally the top dogs of the school-when they "graduate" in March they will be 7th grade litte punks but for now they are wearing their pride on their sleeves.
They don't want to be in an ESL class, they are here because they are forced to learn education. I asked the head teacher to please have them listen to me and show some respect since it seriously isnt my job to control them nor guide them in learning manners. The head teacher refused to cooperate with me and thus this lead to a 30 minute meeting with her after class.
She didn't so much as acknowledge my presence but instead we discussed TEACHING methods. 1. She defended the kid's disrespect saying that there is no way to control them when their parents refuse to see the truth. The truth is that kids are allowed to get away with whatever the hell they want. I was told I should confront the head teacher about these such issues and all it got me today was 40 minutes of my time being detained and listening to a dribble of nonsense protecting the kids' blatant disrespect all simply to protect her money. Kids are nothing more than stock.
Please answer this question in your next comment to me
What's more important the enjoyment and disruptive cacophony from the investor (kids) or the mental, emotional and physical health of the teacher?
If kids don't show proper etiquette and Korean teachers choose not to enforce discipline how can I adequately teach? I have been cussed at, hit by kids (sometimes it hurts) tongues are being stuck out at me, they call me bad words, they talk in korean and they ignore the lesson plan meanwhile the Korean teacher just sits there.
She is so over-worked. She has a meeting once a month, she has attendance sheets to update, parents to call, and ppts to make. She can't give me any help even though its her job and when I see her in the classroom it looks ridiculous. The teaching environment is a place to learn and interact not stare at paperwork all day or answer phone calls.
I listened to excuses today and no one wants to fess up to reality. I heard that kids just can't adapt to my teaching style but she refuses to believe that its because they can't understand every word I say.
Enough said I literally wanted to walk out the door. These people make me feel bad for anything and everything I do. If I had a choice I would walk away now.
I can't its not an option I believe I am entitled to respect and have earned it. Graduating from high school, college, putting in over 3 years in Korea etc. Why am I shrouded with disrespect? If you want to say about my teaching style then please leave me alone.
When I was in Gumi I had many conversations with people who only said Teaching style I feel i have learned a lot in 3 years and my talents can help people if they just listen. My attitude isn't for pity, nor is it unjustified I have had to "fight" to get where I am today and I don't want more disrespect.
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ok--honestly--the kids are more important--they are paying & you work for them--and are the one receiving paychecks. Kids are kids and kids are disrespectful. They stick out their tongues, and of course they are going to speak their native language, that is only natural. You have to learn to just brush it off and not take it so seriously. my students also do that. If you don't like it--learn their language, that's what I did. I teach in English but sometimes speak to them in Spanish...this helps from a relationship w/ me and the children. At least learn the basic commands in Korean--be quiet, don't do that, stop, etc. Be firm and just take over. If your co-teacher won't discipline them, just do it yourself. It's only 4 hours.
ReplyDeletegood point Katherine. shrug it off. but learning the commands are too easy (hajima, choyongee hae, etc) is not enough. most foreigner teachers know these. you need to be able to surprise them at an opportune moment.
ReplyDeleteAnd, you're not entitled to respect because you've been there for a while. It comes down to earning with EVERY SINGLE kid, and starting when you meet them.They don't care if you're confucious, god, or a crackhead from down the street. That doesn't matter to kids (Hat tip to Katherine to succinctly stating the juvenile ethos:they will be kids) It's about charisma and relationships. Anything else is delusional bullshit and ultimately a waster of time and energy.