RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

As a qualified teacher with years of experience, why don't you take more of a lead in your classes?  Genuine question.

20+ years ago, I had to lead, as the most of the Korean English teachers had a very low-level of English language proficiency.  Today, that is simply NOT the case.

I am sure you are aware, the goal has always been for us to work ourselves out of a job, so I have adhered to that objective to the best of my ability.

My level of involvement and input has gradually tapered off over the years, while my Korean counterparts have gradually taken over more and more of the responsibilities and control.

I have always been and will remain an assistant, a resource, a sounding board, a mentor, etc. that follows the mandate.

For the past 2-3 years, almost all of my Korean colleagues have been capable of conducting the English class on their own.

Thanks for the insight.  That sounds reasonable and fair to me but also quite a unique situation.

Personally, being an assistant was never presented as an option haha.  I think the same goes for most of us here.

That sounds reasonable and fair to me but also quite a unique situation.

Personally, being an assistant was never presented as an option haha.  I think the same goes for most of us here.

Unique in what way?

That the English ability of my colleagues is so high or...?

Article 3 of our contract is pretty clear.  We are "to assist".

Do you have a different type of contract?

That sounds reasonable and fair to me but also quite a unique situation.

Personally, being an assistant was never presented as an option haha.  I think the same goes for most of us here.

Unique in what way?

That the English ability of my colleagues is so high or...?

Article 3 of our contract is pretty clear.  We are "to assist".

Do you have a different type of contract?

You have never worked in a school which has no dedicated KET? Where the homeroom teachers are marking stuff or just leave class? It's great if they look after kids behavior.

 If so then lucky you!

That sounds reasonable and fair to me but also quite a unique situation.

Personally, being an assistant was never presented as an option haha.  I think the same goes for most of us here.

Unique in what way?

That the English ability of my colleagues is so high or...?

Article 3 of our contract is pretty clear.  We are "to assist".

Do you have a different type of contract?

"Assist" is a vague term that allows for open interpretation. 

NET, you should "assist" by doing everything for class so that the ever busy KET can do paperwork or take a rest. 

Though, teaching assistants back home often get experience by leading [some] classes, I think. 

The old Pecan universe where every teacher and school he's ever worked in for over 20 years has been nothing short of magical. That's one hell of a run of luck buddy considering i'd say a good 90% of teachers here come across at least one KT who either can't mutter a single sentence in English or doesn't show for classes or just takes a nap in the back in a couple of years never mind 2 decades. Amen brother, you got it nice.

"Assist" is a vague term that allows for open interpretation. 

NET, you should "assist" by doing everything for class so that the ever busy KET can do paperwork or take a rest. 

Though, teaching assistants back home often get experience by leading [some] classes, I think.

Yes, I agree.  Our contracts are "boilerplate", so each individual school can adjust our conditions to best meet their needs.

As long as we are working toward the same goal, which is for them to be 100% self-sufficient, it really doesn't matter what form it takes.

That said, why would the KET be doing busy work or sleeping doing your joint class?

How many hours are they teaching?  How many are you teaching in that scenario?

Is that a policy mandate unique to your district?

You have never worked in a school which has no dedicated KET? Where the homeroom teachers are marking stuff or just leave class? It's great if they look after kids behavior.

 If so then lucky you!

Twelve years ago, in a rural area, that was pretty common.

Not today, no?

You have never worked in a school which has no dedicated KET? Where the homeroom teachers are marking stuff or just leave class? It's great if they look after kids behavior.

 If so then lucky you!

Twelves years ago, in a rural area, that was pretty common.

Not today, no?

It's still pretty common. Most EPIK teachers I've talked to complain about absent coworkers. I actually prefer it that way, though. Teacher is napping in the other room? Cool. I won't say anything about it so long as they keep bringing me the snacks! 

You have never worked in a school which has no dedicated KET? Where the homeroom teachers are marking stuff or just leave class? It's great if they look after kids behavior.

 If so then lucky you!

Twelves years ago, in a rural area, that was pretty common.

Not today, no?

I teach at 3 schools (4 in total for the year, because I do one rural school for 6 months, then change to another for 6 months). I have no dedicated KET at any of my schools. I only teach with homeroom teachers. One is fluent and I assist, 3 share my class 50/50 co-teaching and the rest I lead/handle alone completely.

Again Pecan's complete lack of being able to understand that his own life experiences aren't shared by everyone else.

This forum is full of people complaining about Korean co-teachers not being able to speak English let alone teach it, either not turning up to classes or playing on their phones/sleeping if they do.

"KTs not helping out in joint classes? That doesn't happen, no? It's never happened to me. And I've been here for 27 years. You follow? What I mean to say is that it's impossible that any of these things you guys are saying have ever happened. You see? No? You follow?"


PS. "Have a great weekend"

I'm well aware that waygook is not an accurate representation of what is happening in the majority of the schools.

I would certainly hope that those practices have been snuffed out.

It's very unfortunate, that they have not.

I hope more will add their experiences here.

No. You aren't an accurate representation of what is happening in most schools. Or anywhere else on planet earth. You follow?

No. You aren't an accurate representation of what is happening in most schools. Or anywhere else on planet earth. You follow?

Lmao. Pecan is legitimately the best troll on the entire world wide web. Anything you throw at him he just brushes it off with a nonchalant change of direction.

Where's the forum warning level gone? I need to see how safe I am to throw in a few warning worthy comments without repercussion. 

"Sllluuurrrrpppppp. Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhh."

I can't listen to this guy drinking coffee all day from anymore. And why does he keep using those silly little paper cups? Get a mug already.

"Assist" is a vague term that allows for open interpretation. 

NET, you should "assist" by doing everything for class so that the ever busy KET can do paperwork or take a rest. 

Though, teaching assistants back home often get experience by leading [some] classes, I think.

Yes, I agree.  Our contracts are "boilerplate", so each individual school can adjust our conditions to best meet their needs.

As long as we are working toward the same goal, which is for them to be 100% self-sufficient, it really doesn't matter what form it takes.

That said, why would the KET be doing busy work or sleeping doing your joint class?

How many hours are they teaching?  How many are you teaching in that scenario?

Is that a policy mandate unique to your district?

Last year, my co-teacher was the music teacher. She spoke no English what-so-ever. She even struggled with hello. She'd either nap at the back of the class, walk around and talk with the students in Korean, or be on her cellphone.
I had another co-teacher who would bring all her paperwork to class and do it at the back. I had to literally be on my knees begging for her to offer any assistance in the classroom, and even then, I'd only get a small amount of help - then she'd get angry at me, and yell / criticize me in front of the students.
My third co-teacher last year was pretty good. And my 4th started off really great, helped me with planning and in the class; as we got on, she started showing up late to class, and helped less, or stopped helping, with planning. She was still very good in the classroom while there though.

This year, 1 of my co-teachers is really helpful. 1 is pretty good, but doesn't show up for 1 of our 3 classes, and my 3rd is hit or miss. Some days she is really awesome in the class, others she shows up late, leaves after 3 minutes, goes to read the newspaper in the teachers office, comes back after 5 - 15 minutes, leaves again after another 2 mins or so. She is super helpful for anything not school related though.

Last year, co-teachers 2 and 3 taught a lot (they often didn't finish until 7pm (was a boarding school), the music teacher had a very small work load (less than 10 classes per week, around 13 if you include the classes with me), and my 4th had lots of classes, 6 with me, and dunno how many without me.

This year, none of my co-teachers have more than 9 classes per week, and that includes their time with me; and the biggest school I work at this year, only has 25 students.

Like most of us, I've had a mix of good and bad CTs but my general feeling (that I can apply to ALL of my CTs) is that they view my classes as EXTRA work for them. 

It really makes no sense because they don't have to do any planning (100% me) or any teaching (100% me).  They just have to come to the class and chip in when needed.

And sometimes I want to scream this from the rooftops..."OUR CLASSES ARE SUBTRACTED FROM YOUR TOTAL, NOT ADDED ON!!!!!!"

What's an average amount of classes for a KET?  15?  16?  It's not 16 PLUS my classes on top of that!

So...my school offered me renewal and a raise but then I found out most of the school knows about my request for a raise  and they don't like it...suddenly, people are less friendly than before and avoid talking to me, some are even downright rude when I greet them. Yeah, so after realizing that my communications with my boss about that and reference letters was being shared with many other people, I sent a formal letter of non-renewal...just to be very clear...since apparently everything I send gets shared with the vast majority of the staff here. Ridiculous. I'm on edge about not renewing without a job waiting in the wings, but unfortunately, at this time of year that is generally how it goes.  Got some leads, but for now...the anxiety is building.

So...my school offered me renewal and a raise but then I found most of the school knows about my request for a raise  and they don't like it...suddenly, people are less friendly than before and avoid talking to me, some are even downright rude when I greet them. Yeah, so after realizing that my communications with my boss about that and reference letters was being shared with many other people, I sent a formal letter of non-renewal...just to be very clear...since apparently everything I send gets shared with the vast majority of the staff here. Ridiculous. I on edge about not renewing without a job waiting in the wings, but unfortunately, at this time of year that is generally how it goes.  Got some leads, but for now...the anxiety is building.

I'm often surprised by the lack of business sense amongst co workers. We are at work to make money not be all happy families and keeping the boss happy by accepting the bare minimum. I've seen it many times with Koreans who stay for hours after work for half normal pay or even nothing and I say to them why don't you just go home? You aren't getting paid and you're being taken advantage of by your 'rich' employer. They say it's Korean culture and I say yeah but you don't have to be a sheep. Imagine bitching about travelinpants girl asking for a pay increase at a job where money is provided for services? Not even conceivable in the west.

I've never read this thread before and just skimmed a few pages for kicks. I was a little nostalgic for Korea several minutes ago...not any more. I have a classroom full of Einsteins compared to my years there.