RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

We have a student who had an English for the whole year until last week. She has always hated the name, didn't pick it for herself, and finally said that she wanted to change it. We've all switched and started calling her by the new name, except one teacher who is antagonizing her, calling her "Not-new name." It's making her grumpier in his class and just making her upset.

We have a student who had an English for the whole year until last week. She has always hated the name, didn't pick it for herself, and finally said that she wanted to change it. We've all switched and started calling her by the new name, except one teacher who is antagonizing her, calling her "Not-new name." It's making her grumpier in his class and just making her upset.

Some people are just jerks.

I had a friend named “Jenny” in junior high.  That is her legal name; it isn’t short for anything.
There was a teacher who would repeatedly ask if it was “Jennifer” or “Genniveve”.

I taught Kindergarten once, and there was a girl whose name was Tianna.  We ( the aide & I) called her "Tee-ahna" for six months. It wasn't until her mother came in for a conference that we learned her name was "Tie-ahna".  I can't believe the girl didn't correct us after all that time. 

She was easygoing.  Maybe she didn't care what she was called.

I taught Kindergarten once, and there was a girl whose name was Tianna.  We ( the aide & I) called her "Tee-ahna" for six months. It wasn't until her mother came in for a conference that we learned her name was "Tie-ahna".  I can't believe the girl didn't correct us after all that time. 

She was easygoing.  Maybe she didn't care what she was called.

Yeah, it's one thing if the student doesn't care one way or the other, but if they have very clearly shown that it does bother them, don't do it on purpose just to rile them up. It just seems mean.

     I'm sure that you guys have noticed, but many of my elementary kids wear the same clothes day in and day out.
     I have a grade 4 girl who has worn the same pink Hello Kitty sweater since I met her in February. So, of course, being terrible with names, I just call her "pink-shirt" (as opposed by green shirt to her left, and black shirt to her right).

    Well, today she appeared in class wearing a white shirt, so of course that's what I called her. She got all huffy about it and was all like: "Teacher, no! I'm *pink* shirt!

    Names are an important part of our identities, and I'm pretty leery of giving kids "English names" because of it. My name is pronounced differently in English as it is at home, and when I first moved to Canada, I remember the difference being pretty jarring.

    Names are an important part of our identities, and I'm pretty leery of giving kids "English names" because of it. My name is pronounced differently in English as it is at home, and when I first moved to Canada, I remember the difference being pretty jarring.

I'm on the other end where I don't really have a strong affinity with mine. One time in middle school there were 3 of us in the same class with the same name. The other two lasses were each adamant on a particular variation of the name so each claimed their respective preference and I accepted the remaining variant even though my family calls me by a different one. In subsequent times, some people have asked if they can call me x variation and as long as it's not bizarre I don't mind. These days I just introduce myself one way because it's easier (for Koreans/foreigners) to pronounce.

One of my former coTs was adamant about names being important to identities.  She's a bit older and perhaps more old school in some ways.  Funnily, I'd only suggested letting the students at our school pick English names (only if they wanted) because my first day at a travel school all the classes were prepared with English names to introduce themselves with (the coT there was younger and had studied English abroad) and seemed to think it was fun.  A few students hadn't chosen English names because they preferred their Korean ones and that was totally fine. I ended up learning all their Korean names anyway because it seemed to make them happy.

My older coT later came back to me and said if the kids wanted to use names during class activities that would be fine. I think she was mainly concerned I wouldn't learn their real names (it was a teeny tiny school so it was a completely reasonable thing to request I learn them).

If the kids wanna pick English names or request to be given a nickname, I don't see the harm as long as you're not forcing a new name onto them when they might not want it.

Yeah, people can be super picky about their names. I'm not, but I'll still correct people if they get my name wrong unintentionally. There was one supervisor who consistently kept calling me by the same wrong name, no matter how many times I corrected her, so I just stopped correcting her and went with it. She did that for about six months before finally catching on that no one else was calling me that and that I had another name. I remember people asking me later if it ever bothered me that she always got my name wrong because they would have been upset in the same situation. But she was always respectful towards me and even trusted me with info she didn't with anyone else, there was nothing malicious behind it, so I didn't see the point in getting uppity over it.

And then there was another supervisor who had a super unusual, super difficult name to both remember and to pronounce. It had a strange spelling, too, so looking at the written name yielded no clues. Despite knowing this, this supervisor always, ALWAYS got very angry whenever someone mispronounced his name. Always made a really big deal out of it. It eventually got him into a lot of trouble later after he got reported for abuse over it, lol (he would literally launch into 5-10 minute rants anytime anyone got his name wrong, even if the person was new, and god help you if you couldn't remember his weird name after hearing it one time).

So yeah, lots of variation on importance from one person to the next.

    Names are an important part of our identities, and I'm pretty leery of giving kids "English names" because of it. My name is pronounced differently in English as it is at home, and when I first moved to Canada, I remember the difference being pretty jarring.

If the kids wanna pick English names or request to be given a nickname, I don't see the harm as long as you're not forcing a new name onto them when they might not want it.

Exactly this!

If a kid wants an English name, I'm more than happy to call them whatever they like (except dumb stuff like "Terminator", "Ironman", and "DokdoisKorean"). but I'm not going to make up names for them myself.

And then there was another supervisor who had a super unusual, super difficult name to both remember and to pronounce. It had a strange spelling, too, so looking at the written name yielded no clues. Despite knowing this, this supervisor always, ALWAYS got very angry whenever someone mispronounced his name. Always made a really big deal out of it. It eventually got him into a lot of trouble later after he got reported for abuse over it, lol (he would literally launch into 5-10 minute rants anytime anyone got his name wrong, even if the person was new, and god help you if you couldn't remember his weird name after hearing it one time).

So yeah, lots of variation on importance from one person to the next.

He honestly sounds full of himself. Just correct people and move on, nobody cares how mad you are that nobody gets your name right. Can you imagine him getting teased in grade school once kids found out he hated it?

And then there was another supervisor who had a super unusual, super difficult name to both remember and to pronounce. It had a strange spelling, too, so looking at the written name yielded no clues. Despite knowing this, this supervisor always, ALWAYS got very angry whenever someone mispronounced his name. Always made a really big deal out of it. It eventually got him into a lot of trouble later after he got reported for abuse over it, lol (he would literally launch into 5-10 minute rants anytime anyone got his name wrong, even if the person was new, and god help you if you couldn't remember his weird name after hearing it one time).

So yeah, lots of variation on importance from one person to the next.

He honestly sounds full of himself. Just correct people and move on, nobody cares how mad you are that nobody gets your name right. Can you imagine him getting teased in grade school once kids found out he hated it?

I'm almost convinced that he was so neurotic over his name BECAUSE of teasing in grade school. Like, once he hit a position of authority, he felt like he could get a little payback or something. Didn't really do him much good, though, outside of turning himself into a walking target. It wasn't long before he had to take classes to improve his "leadership" abilities, and I think he ended up getting laid off later because this attitude bled into other areas.

This is a dumb rant but I don't think my couple's shirts are going to arrive in time for the Infinity War premiere.

And they were SO AWESOME. 

OH BOY HERE WE GO

I got almost all the way to school and realized my key wasn't in my pocket. Turned around and walked the 20 mins back, got the key. My fault, it's fine.

Head to the taxi stand to save some time and as I was getting up to the last taxi, this older woman hopped in and off they went. That's fine, I can use the exercise.

Walk the 20 mins to school, rocking up 30 mins later than normal so I can't get lunch. But it's cool, I grabbed a kimbap from the corner store knowing I'd miss it. Did not expect to have rocked up smack dab in the middle of an evacuation drill. I actually have no idea what to do in case of emergency, they seemingly forget to tell me every single time we have a drill. That's fine, whatever.

Start prepping my materials, my external decided to brick itself. 1TB of data just in limbo right now. Getting to be less cool.

As I'm prepping physical materials for my youngest class, with scissors in my hand and glue on the desk, my MT breezes through the doors and drops a stack of about 50 papers on my table. She got them last week and just...forgot to tell me that I needed to hand write every single lesson plan I've done since school started and submit them. Really starting to be not that cool anymore.

Oh, by the way you need to come with me NOW and attend club meetings. Cue being pulled upstairs to be teased with illustration club and then given the ole switcharoo and tossed into traditional Korean drumming club who happen to be in the middle of their choreography for a drumming routine. Put in the middle of the room with sticks, no clue what I'm meant to be doing as my MT is playing hovering paparazzi while I flounder and take up their time with my presence.

I'm extremely embarrassed to be wasting their time, having everyone stare at me wondering why I'm there and why I can't play the drums and why the teacher is struggling in English trying to explain. My face is burning hot and I'm so embarrassed I'm almost in tears before the teacher says "you can stand, picture is ok" and I stand off to the side hiding my face as they breeze through their moves.

Because I was stuck in the club lamenting my life choices, I couldn't finish prepping materials for the next class that was a grueling 80 minutes.

How was your day?

Tell them you are busy next time ! Having to prep for lessons is more important than a photo opportunity. If you really don't have time, just tell 'em 

OH BOY HERE WE GO

I got almost all the way to school and realized my key wasn't in my pocket. Turned around and walked the 20 mins back, got the key. My fault, it's fine.

Head to the taxi stand to save some time and as I was getting up to the last taxi, this older woman hopped in and off they went. That's fine, I can use the exercise.

Walk the 20 mins to school, rocking up 30 mins later than normal so I can't get lunch. But it's cool, I grabbed a kimbap from the corner store knowing I'd miss it. Did not expect to have rocked up smack dab in the middle of an evacuation drill. I actually have no idea what to do in case of emergency, they seemingly forget to tell me every single time we have a drill. That's fine, whatever.

Start prepping my materials, my external decided to brick itself. 1TB of data just in limbo right now. Getting to be less cool.

As I'm prepping physical materials for my youngest class, with scissors in my hand and glue on the desk, my MT breezes through the doors and drops a stack of about 50 papers on my table. She got them last week and just...forgot to tell me that I needed to hand write every single lesson plan I've done since school started and submit them. Really starting to be not that cool anymore.

Oh, by the way you need to come with me NOW and attend club meetings. Cue being pulled upstairs to be teased with illustration club and then given the ole switcharoo and tossed into traditional Korean drumming club who happen to be in the middle of their choreography for a drumming routine. Put in the middle of the room with sticks, no clue what I'm meant to be doing as my MT is playing hovering paparazzi while I flounder and take up their time with my presence.

I'm extremely embarrassed to be wasting their time, having everyone stare at me wondering why I'm there and why I can't play the drums and why the teacher is struggling in English trying to explain. My face is burning hot and I'm so embarrassed I'm almost in tears before the teacher says "you can stand, picture is ok" and I stand off to the side hiding my face as they breeze through their moves.

Because I was stuck in the club lamenting my life choices, I couldn't finish prepping materials for the next class that was a grueling 80 minutes.

How was your day?

I'm sorry that you're being treated so badly. You really need to find it withing yourself to just say NO to the teachers at your school. Their constant demands are ridiculous.

OH BOY HERE WE GO

I got almost all the way to school and realized my key wasn't in my pocket. Turned around and walked the 20 mins back, got the key. My fault, it's fine.

Head to the taxi stand to save some time and as I was getting up to the last taxi, this older woman hopped in and off they went. That's fine, I can use the exercise.

Walk the 20 mins to school, rocking up 30 mins later than normal so I can't get lunch. But it's cool, I grabbed a kimbap from the corner store knowing I'd miss it. Did not expect to have rocked up smack dab in the middle of an evacuation drill. I actually have no idea what to do in case of emergency, they seemingly forget to tell me every single time we have a drill. That's fine, whatever.

Start prepping my materials, my external decided to brick itself. 1TB of data just in limbo right now. Getting to be less cool.

As I'm prepping physical materials for my youngest class, with scissors in my hand and glue on the desk, my MT breezes through the doors and drops a stack of about 50 papers on my table. She got them last week and just...forgot to tell me that I needed to hand write every single lesson plan I've done since school started and submit them. Really starting to be not that cool anymore.

Oh, by the way you need to come with me NOW and attend club meetings. Cue being pulled upstairs to be teased with illustration club and then given the ole switcharoo and tossed into traditional Korean drumming club who happen to be in the middle of their choreography for a drumming routine. Put in the middle of the room with sticks, no clue what I'm meant to be doing as my MT is playing hovering paparazzi while I flounder and take up their time with my presence.

I'm extremely embarrassed to be wasting their time, having everyone stare at me wondering why I'm there and why I can't play the drums and why the teacher is struggling in English trying to explain. My face is burning hot and I'm so embarrassed I'm almost in tears before the teacher says "you can stand, picture is ok" and I stand off to the side hiding my face as they breeze through their moves.

Because I was stuck in the club lamenting my life choices, I couldn't finish prepping materials for the next class that was a grueling 80 minutes.

How was your day?

I'm sorry that you're being treated so badly. You really need to find it withing yourself to just say NO to the teachers at your school. Their constant demands are ridiculous.

Bingsu,

You need to grow a backbone.  This whole culture is built on stronger vs weaker.  The weaker you appear, the more shit they will give you.  You just need to say no.  They won't know what to do with that answer cause every one of their "inferiors" has said yes!....Fight for your right!!  Don't stand for bullshit! 

I'm on the other end where I don't really have a strong affinity with mine. One time in middle school there were 3 of us in the same class with the same name. The other two lasses were each adamant on a particular variation of the name so each claimed their respective preference and I accepted the remaining variant even though my family calls me by a different one. In subsequent times, some people have asked if they can call me x variation and as long as it's not bizarre I don't mind. These days I just introduce myself one way because it's easier (for Koreans/foreigners) to pronounce.

CharDONay
SHARdonay
ChardonAY

Got it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd7FixvoKBw

OH BOY HERE WE GO

I got almost all the way to school and realized my key wasn't in my pocket. Turned around and walked the 20 mins back, got the key. My fault, it's fine.

Head to the taxi stand to save some time and as I was getting up to the last taxi, this older woman hopped in and off they went. That's fine, I can use the exercise.

Walk the 20 mins to school, rocking up 30 mins later than normal so I can't get lunch. But it's cool, I grabbed a kimbap from the corner store knowing I'd miss it. Did not expect to have rocked up smack dab in the middle of an evacuation drill. I actually have no idea what to do in case of emergency, they seemingly forget to tell me every single time we have a drill. That's fine, whatever.

Start prepping my materials, my external decided to brick itself. 1TB of data just in limbo right now. Getting to be less cool.

As I'm prepping physical materials for my youngest class, with scissors in my hand and glue on the desk, my MT breezes through the doors and drops a stack of about 50 papers on my table. She got them last week and just...forgot to tell me that I needed to hand write every single lesson plan I've done since school started and submit them. Really starting to be not that cool anymore.

Oh, by the way you need to come with me NOW and attend club meetings. Cue being pulled upstairs to be teased with illustration club and then given the ole switcharoo and tossed into traditional Korean drumming club who happen to be in the middle of their choreography for a drumming routine. Put in the middle of the room with sticks, no clue what I'm meant to be doing as my MT is playing hovering paparazzi while I flounder and take up their time with my presence.

I'm extremely embarrassed to be wasting their time, having everyone stare at me wondering why I'm there and why I can't play the drums and why the teacher is struggling in English trying to explain. My face is burning hot and I'm so embarrassed I'm almost in tears before the teacher says "you can stand, picture is ok" and I stand off to the side hiding my face as they breeze through their moves.

Because I was stuck in the club lamenting my life choices, I couldn't finish prepping materials for the next class that was a grueling 80 minutes.

How was your day?

Rookie mistake and almost everyone falls for it in the beginning.

Basically, FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE EVERYTHING!

When you start working, many CTs and co-workers will 'test' you. They'll either act like a domineering dick,
ask you for a relatively inconvenient 'favour' or pressure you into doing something outside of your duties.
Accept and it's all downhill from there, you've solidified yourself as a doormat.
Stand your ground and you'll likely meet some resistance. As long as you remain firm, yet calm and respectful,
they'll probably give up.

Sadly, South Korean society operates on a food chain of bullying. Superiors bully their juniors as a coping mechanism for those who are bullying them.

As a foreigner, you have to assert the card that you're not part of that ecosystem. 

On different note, you should be asking, every month or week, for any schedule changes etc.

OH BOY HERE WE GO

I got almost all the way to school and realized my key wasn't in my pocket. Turned around and walked the 20 mins back, got the key. My fault, it's fine.

Head to the taxi stand to save some time and as I was getting up to the last taxi, this older woman hopped in and off they went. That's fine, I can use the exercise.

Walk the 20 mins to school, rocking up 30 mins later than normal so I can't get lunch. But it's cool, I grabbed a kimbap from the corner store knowing I'd miss it. Did not expect to have rocked up smack dab in the middle of an evacuation drill. I actually have no idea what to do in case of emergency, they seemingly forget to tell me every single time we have a drill. That's fine, whatever.

Start prepping my materials, my external decided to brick itself. 1TB of data just in limbo right now. Getting to be less cool.

As I'm prepping physical materials for my youngest class, with scissors in my hand and glue on the desk, my MT breezes through the doors and drops a stack of about 50 papers on my table. She got them last week and just...forgot to tell me that I needed to hand write every single lesson plan I've done since school started and submit them. Really starting to be not that cool anymore.

Oh, by the way you need to come with me NOW and attend club meetings. Cue being pulled upstairs to be teased with illustration club and then given the ole switcharoo and tossed into traditional Korean drumming club who happen to be in the middle of their choreography for a drumming routine. Put in the middle of the room with sticks, no clue what I'm meant to be doing as my MT is playing hovering paparazzi while I flounder and take up their time with my presence.

I'm extremely embarrassed to be wasting their time, having everyone stare at me wondering why I'm there and why I can't play the drums and why the teacher is struggling in English trying to explain. My face is burning hot and I'm so embarrassed I'm almost in tears before the teacher says "you can stand, picture is ok" and I stand off to the side hiding my face as they breeze through their moves.

Because I was stuck in the club lamenting my life choices, I couldn't finish prepping materials for the next class that was a grueling 80 minutes.

How was your day?

I'm sorry that you're being treated so badly. You really need to find it withing yourself to just say NO to the teachers at your school. Their constant demands are ridiculous.

Bingsu,

You need to grow a backbone.  This whole culture is built on stronger vs weaker.  The weaker you appear, the more shit they will give you.  You just need to say no.  They won't know what to do with that answer cause every one of their "inferiors" has said yes!....Fight for your right!!  Don't stand for bullshit!

Everyone is right. Just say no, and stand up for yourself. But you also have to be able to accept that the whole "Nobody tells me anything, I'm unprepared!" thing is just part of working with many Koreans. Pick yourself up, we believe in you!

My favorite thing EVER is when I have a game prepared that involves groups, and I when I tell my students to group up, there's the awkward pause. And then my co-teacher says "I don't think they want groups because they don't like each other." There goes my lesson.

 

Can you imagine if these kids had jobs? You can't choose your co-workers, better get over it 

My favorite thing EVER is when I have a game prepared that involves groups, and I when I tell my students to group up, there's the awkward pause. And then my co-teacher says "I don't think they want groups because they don't like each other." There goes my lesson.

 

More like "I didn't ask them to like it, I told them to group up."

It's nuts that just not listening to the teacher seems so commonly accepted here.

Last week there was a student who wouldn't stop sleeping. My CoT told me the kid was feeling sick, so I asked if he had been to the nurses office. He asked, and the kid said no. I told the kid to go to the nurses office, he said no. My CoT told him to, he said no. CoT was like "Welp, he doesn't want to go." I said "He's a child. We're his teachers. It doesn't matter what he wants to do." CoT was just like "Oh well, we can't do anything," and that was the end of it.