RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

Stop trying to indoctrinate every Tom, Mohammad and Lin who steps onto Korean soil with effin' Dokdo! Dokdo doesn't represent world peace AT ALL!!!

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/08/177_235580.html

If anything it represents the opposite since Dokdo's history begins and ends with the current 70 year dispute over its ownership. Both sides' historical arguments for ownership are vague and inconclusive. The reality most likely is no one gave a crap about 46 acres of bird shit stained rock in the middle of nowhere until it became a symbol and subsequent center of some decent fishing and a potential source of natural gas.

I wouldn't give a toss about Dokdo; however, wherever I turn, it's in my face. From seeing a newspaper article, to seeing a CD-ROM in an elementary school with Dokdo on the cover, to seeing Dokdo as one of the presentation options in my high school, to seeing Koreans in my hometown giving out Dokdo information and to the memory of my EPIK orientation several years ago where we all had to listen to some ajosshi bang on about how, without a shadow of a doubt,  Dokdo is Korean territory; I never want to see or hear that loathsome two syllable D word again. Wishful thinking I know.

I'm better with blunt instruments than strategic thinking. How would you strategically nap?

I had in mind timing your nap at the very time that she was ready to talk lessons, but that's hardly the only strategy in strategic napping. But yeah, that is kind of passive aggressive. Try the blunt object route.

I saw a roach this morning that refused to run when I approached it. It accepted its fate, which, in retrospect, I now realize was a bad omen.

I swear to God that the only thing keeping the students from burning the school down today is the bottle of hairspray that I've been pretending is a cattle prod. I haven't touched any of them with it. But they respect its authority, for some reason.

I've got this new third grader. He spent four years in Canada I guess. I asked the class if they knew my name (I've taught at this school before) and he suggested "Donald Trump" and "Adolf Hitler". That's just the beginning. My entire first class with him, it's nothing but a relentless torrent of swear words, memes and highly offensive name-calling out of this kid. It's like he's every Internet troll you've ever rolled your eyes at compacted into one chubby little third grader. The only saving grace is the other kids don't understand him and don't seem to find him funny at all. He also doesn't seem mean-spirited about it. He participated in the game and mostly behaves just fine. It's like he's just memorized the worst parts of the Internet without knowing what any of it means.

I have a new student who's the most scared looking low energy 3rd grader (elementary) I've ever seen :/ I feel bad for him because that whole class is really energetic and extremely into English. They're all really nice kids and they tried to help him but he just sulked to the back of the classroom and decided not to participate :/ He's been here a week and apparently he wants nothing to do with the other kids even in other classes, but they're constantly excited to see him and all wanted to be his partner :/

Hoping their cheeriness rubs off on him eventually...

I'm better with blunt instruments than strategic thinking. How would you strategically nap?

I had in mind timing your nap at the very time that she was ready to talk lessons, but that's hardly the only strategy in strategic napping. But yeah, that is kind of passive aggressive. Try the blunt object route.

It's home time when she wants to talk. I missed 2 buses. But it's OK. I've rediscovered sugar. By the bucketload. It makes everything good and happy and fluffy unicorns and cute puppies and I have enough energy and sweetness to happily send her the same file to her for the 5th time this week.

Sugar makes the world go round.

I have a new student who's the most scared looking low energy 3rd grader (elementary) I've ever seen :/ I feel bad for him because that whole class is really energetic and extremely into English. They're all really nice kids and they tried to help him but he just sulked to the back of the classroom and decided not to participate :/ He's been here a week and apparently he wants nothing to do with the other kids even in other classes, but they're constantly excited to see him and all wanted to be his partner :/

Hoping their cheeriness rubs off on him eventually...

He might just need some time.  Had a new 4th grader last year who needed a bit of time to adjust (I think there's something more going on than the typical student though).  He was really emotional at first but all his classmates persisted in being kind to him and a few months later I noticed a big difference.  He doesn't always participate but he seems generally content nowadays.

I have a new student who's the most scared looking low energy 3rd grader (elementary) I've ever seen :/ I feel bad for him because that whole class is really energetic and extremely into English. They're all really nice kids and they tried to help him but he just sulked to the back of the classroom and decided not to participate :/ He's been here a week and apparently he wants nothing to do with the other kids even in other classes, but they're constantly excited to see him and all wanted to be his partner :/

Hoping their cheeriness rubs off on him eventually...

He might just need some time.  Had a new 4th grader last year who needed a bit of time to adjust (I think there's something more going on than the typical student though).  He was really emotional at first but all his classmates persisted in being kind to him and a few months later I noticed a big difference.  He doesn't always participate but he seems generally content nowadays.

Yeah I can see how the other kids might be "too nice" and outgoing for him if he's an introvert. I hope it gets better for him cuz everyone else is extremely outgoing in his class o.o

I have a new student who's the most scared looking low energy 3rd grader (elementary) I've ever seen :/ I feel bad for him because that whole class is really energetic and extremely into English. They're all really nice kids and they tried to help him but he just sulked to the back of the classroom and decided not to participate :/ He's been here a week and apparently he wants nothing to do with the other kids even in other classes, but they're constantly excited to see him and all wanted to be his partner :/

Hoping their cheeriness rubs off on him eventually...

He might just need some time.  Had a new 4th grader last year who needed a bit of time to adjust (I think there's something more going on than the typical student though).  He was really emotional at first but all his classmates persisted in being kind to him and a few months later I noticed a big difference.  He doesn't always participate but he seems generally content nowadays.

Yeah I can see how the other kids might be "too nice" and outgoing for him if he's an introvert. I hope it gets better for him cuz everyone else is extremely outgoing in his class o.o

I like to think there's always a place for an introvert.  Hope he ends up adjusting well!  If everyone is nice and accepting of him then I imagine he'll be okay. 

I work at a couple of middle schools and a high school. For the last two years my co-teachers have asked me to lead my own conversation classes on whatever topics I choose. I have enjoyed being able to choose my own topics.
However this semester I have a substitute co-teacher who has insisted that I follow the textbook. Ok, fine, my job is to be as useful to the Korean-English teachers as possible.
We sat down last week and discussed which pages I would teach this week and what he needed from me.
Today, I come in prepared to teach the pages he had requested I teach and I went to discuss with him any last details.
"Oh I already taught these pages. What will you teach today?"
WTF? Do you really need me to teach from the book then?
Luckily I have another lesson I can teach.

I work at a couple of middle schools and a high school. For the last two years my co-teachers have asked me to lead my own conversation classes on whatever topics I choose. I have enjoyed being able to choose my own topics.
However this semester I have a substitute co-teacher who has insisted that I follow the textbook. Ok, fine, my job is to be as useful to the Korean-English teachers as possible.
We sat down last week and discussed which pages I would teach this week and what he needed from me.
Today, I come in prepared to teach the pages he had requested I teach and I went to discuss with him any last details.
"Oh I already taught these pages. What will you teach today?"
WTF? Do you really need me to teach from the book then?
Luckily I have another lesson I can teach.

By which they meant they skimmed taught that part.     And the students already forgot. 

Just tell them you will focus on the conversation part of the chapter.  Korean teachers very rarely touch that part. 

The conversation parts were what I was supposed to teach but apparently he already did them.

I have a new student who's the most scared looking low energy 3rd grader (elementary) I've ever seen :/ I feel bad for him because that whole class is really energetic and extremely into English. They're all really nice kids and they tried to help him but he just sulked to the back of the classroom and decided not to participate :/ He's been here a week and apparently he wants nothing to do with the other kids even in other classes, but they're constantly excited to see him and all wanted to be his partner :/

Hoping their cheeriness rubs off on him eventually...

He might just need some time.  Had a new 4th grader last year who needed a bit of time to adjust (I think there's something more going on than the typical student though).  He was really emotional at first but all his classmates persisted in being kind to him and a few months later I noticed a big difference.  He doesn't always participate but he seems generally content nowadays.

Yeah I can see how the other kids might be "too nice" and outgoing for him if he's an introvert. I hope it gets better for him cuz everyone else is extremely outgoing in his class o.o

I like to think there's always a place for an introvert.  Hope he ends up adjusting well!  If everyone is nice and accepting of him then I imagine he'll be okay.

I had a student like him start midway through the last semester. He was so quiet and refused to speak to anyone. Now he's the most annoying little brat you'll ever meet. I still don't know half the kids names in that class but oh do I know his.
Give him time, he'll probably come around 

I'm not really ranting, I just have been asked to do something that I do not want to do, and I have tried to say no.... wait okay

I teach public school, I have 3 schools
School classes 20
After school classes at school one 2
After school classes at school two 4    (get paid extra)          TOTAL 26

Which is perfect, all three of my schools have different textbooks, and I mean completely different so recycling lessons still requires prep. My travel time every day is on average 2 hours a day. And my after school programs' curricula are legit. I do a full curriculum with projects based in Music, art and science, full lesson plans for the semester are submitted to the POE. I do all the prep work and buy all my own materials. And I am fine with it.

School one has now decided I know need to do another "conversation class", where ten students need to prepare a role play/play/story thing for the school open day or some sort. This class will also now be twice a week until the end of November.

I explained that I was already very busy and asked to discuss it today, which actually meant (to them) that today they would just give me the blank lesson plans for these new classes and to please have them completed by Tuesday.

I just don't want to add to my load. I don't. I don't care if everyone thinks it's not so bad. I .just.don't.want.to.do.it. I love my school, I don't want to upset anyone because I might want to renew...

I really want to throw a mini temper tantrum

I have a new student who's the most scared looking low energy 3rd grader (elementary) I've ever seen :/ I feel bad for him because that whole class is really energetic and extremely into English. They're all really nice kids and they tried to help him but he just sulked to the back of the classroom and decided not to participate :/ He's been here a week and apparently he wants nothing to do with the other kids even in other classes, but they're constantly excited to see him and all wanted to be his partner :/

Hoping their cheeriness rubs off on him eventually...

I have a new 4th grader who is super quiet. He knows the material. I see him writing everything in his book, and when I walk around to monitor the class during book work, he's always one of the first done. But he simply would not talk in class unless he was specifically called on, and even then he was so quiet that I had to stand beside him to even remotely hear him. Come to find out he was 왕따 at his old school. His class and his homeroom teacher are super friendly and outgoing, and the teacher is aware of the situation (he's the one who told me about it) and going out of his way to make the student feel included and make friends. So I'm hoping he opens up some eventually.

I'm not really ranting, I just have been asked to do something that I do not want to do, and I have tried to say no.... wait okay

I teach public school, I have 3 schools
School classes 20
After school classes at school one 2
After school classes at school two 4    (get paid extra)          TOTAL 26

Which is perfect, all three of my schools have different textbooks, and I mean completely different so recycling lessons still requires prep. My travel time every day is on average 2 hours a day. And my after school programs' curricula are legit. I do a full curriculum with projects based in Music, art and science, full lesson plans for the semester are submitted to the POE. I do all the prep work and buy all my own materials. And I am fine with it.

School one has now decided I know need to do another "conversation class", where ten students need to prepare a role play/play/story thing for the school open day or some sort. This class will also now be twice a week until the end of November.

I explained that I was already very busy and asked to discuss it today, which actually meant (to them) that today they would just give me the blank lesson plans for these new classes and to please have them completed by Tuesday.

I just don't want to add to my load. I don't. I don't care if everyone thinks it's not so bad. I .just.don't.want.to.do.it. I love my school, I don't want to upset anyone because I might want to renew...

I really want to throw a mini temper tantrum

Tell them no. You already have 26 classes and it's ridiculous to take on another one. Be firm and stand your ground. Don't discuss anything, just refuse to do it.

Rant: The science teachers came in to our office because apparently they have nothing better to do, and now they seem to be having a "who can shout and laugh the loudest" competition. Go awaaaayyyy.

Another rant: The third graders are brats. They have a reputation for being rude, and their attitude is something else. It doesn't help that most of the teachers just let the students walk all over them either.

This week felt very long and I'm sure glad it's over.

@what?what?

you only need to teach mandatory overtime up to a total of 26 classes a week.

since you are already at 26 classes, you can refuse any extra classes.

@what?what? --Politely insist that it's "impossible."  You are "so busy." 

My lower back is hurting and I have no idea why.  I don't recall doing anything out of the ordinary (much less anything strenuous).  Hoping it'll subside after a few days and that mild stretching and exercise will help.  Ugh

@what?what?

you only need to teach mandatory overtime up to a total of 26 classes a week.

since you are already at 26 classes, you can refuse any extra classes.

Ohhhhhh I did not know this! Thank you so very much

@what?what?

you only need to teach mandatory overtime up to a total of 26 classes a week.

since you are already at 26 classes, you can refuse any extra classes.

Ohhhhhh I did not know this! Thank you so very much

My attempt at explaining that 28 lessons a week may be a little much for me, has fallen on deaf ears. Also, they unaware that they have to pay me. Me thinks I may have to involve my POE.

Also, most frustrating is a conversation that somewhat went like this:(keep in mind that they want me to do a short play)  =me    = English head teacher

 : How many students will be attending these extra extra classes?
 : We don't know.
 : Okay, well my lesson plans are due tomorrow and I  have to choose a play, so if I could have a rough idea that would be great. I don't want to do lesson plans for a play with 6 characters and I end up with 20 students, or with only 2.
 : Yes, I see.
    
  Thank you for lesson plans tomorrow morning.

"I see," is the most frustrating sentence in Korean English.