RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

Yesterday, at my travel school. The soccer students were a lot worse than usual. To the point, even the good students who follow along and try gave up, and just started talking to their friends.
After class, I said to my co-teacher: I can't wait until after final exams, where we can just do something fun and relaxing with the students.

And sweet unholy zombie jesus, her reaction was like: I said Dokdo is Japanese land, defecated on King Sejeong's grave then wiped my butt with the Korean flag, all while holding an old imperialist Japanese flag that had "Japan done nothing wrong" written on it; All rolled into 1.

She got really angry that I thought we could have fun, after exams, in my class.
I got told: No, that is not a good idea! The students will be having fun in EVERY OTHER CLASS after exams, so they need to have a break from having fun and do something incredibly boring!

I also got told, I need to make my after exam lessons as boring as possible, because the students will need to study extra hard in my class, so it is okay for them to have fun in all their other classes.

Also, on a good day, the students at this travel school, are really, really unruly and disruptive, without hurting other students or breaking something. A couple weeks ago, some of them even started breaking windows when the Korean teachers were trying to get them to do work.

I debated/discussed what we should/could do after exams in my class out the wazoo with her, she acknowledged that it's unfair, and it's stupid to get them to keep studying after exams (When they won't even study now with exams in less than a week). It just resulted in her getting angry; and eventually me starting to get that way.
We never settled or agreed on anything, and I walked away by saying, I'm going to head back to my main school, and to try discuss it with me again once you've calmed down.

FYI, I have no problem still trying to teach if that's what the school wants me to do. However, with this 1 school, the students don't even study pre-exams and are often super disrespectful, unruly, etc. in a regular class, I can already picture them breaking things / becoming a lot worse if we continue to try and make them study AFTER their final exams.
1 class at this school, drains me of so much energy, it usually takes me about 5 days to feel like I've gained my energy back. It's making me less energetic in my other schools, and effecting my work there.

3 more weeks, 9 hours over those 3 weeks, and then I get at least 2 months away from that school!
There are some great students I will miss over that break, but the bulk of the students make me hate teaching there! >.<

Yeah Kayos that is a difficult situation.

My honest advice would be to call her bluff and just do what you think is best (do something fun and relaxing with the class).  It sounds like a great idea to relieve the stress of both you and your students.

Hopefully your coteacher will have calmed down by then and won't care too much about what you do.

hm. was told by the school manager, who is an utter bitch (i work for a private company in a public school - she's not my boss), i should get to school 20 minutes early to babysit the kids who arrive early, before my first class. i laughed. well, i usually get there 20 minutes early, but from now on i'll specifically make a sign outside the door, that no kids can come in until 5 minutes before the class. her office is opposite my classroom, so i'll let the kids wait outside and annoy her on purpose 

Yeah Kayos that is a difficult situation.

My honest advice would be to call her bluff and just do what you think is best (do something fun and relaxing with the class).  It sounds like a great idea to relieve the stress of both you and your students.

Hopefully your coteacher will have calmed down by then and won't care too much about what you do.

That's my plan at this stage. Last year, and last semester, after exams, there was no problem watching a movie or playing games for the 2 weeks;
Same co-teacher, but this time, it's "They'll be doing that in every other class, so they will need a break from it!"
She is usually a great co-teacher, but I really hope after exams, she will calm down.

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
I have a woman in my school's office that likes to make comments about how "difficult" it is to hear me speaking in English.  She "jokingly" complains about not being able to understand me. 
Other teachers often ask me to come over to their side of the office for snacks or coffee, but the moment I open my mouth to speak to an English teacher, the Complain Train is off and running.  What should I do about this?  I mean, I can understand her difficulty in understanding me when I speak... but what is the alternative?  Should I join for coffee and snacks and just keep deadly quiet?  Should I decline the snacks and coffee and just stick to myself?  Should I make a comment about how difficult it is for me to understand her when she speaks?  Not sure what to do.  Any advice?

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
I have a woman in my school's office that likes to make comments about how "difficult" it is to hear me speaking in English.  She "jokingly" complains about not being able to understand me. 
Other teachers often ask me to come over to their side of the office for snacks or coffee, but the moment I open my mouth to speak to an English teacher, the Complain Train is off and running.  What should I do about this?  I mean, I can understand her difficulty in understanding me when I speak... but what is the alternative?  Should I join for coffee and snacks and just keep deadly quiet?  Should I decline the snacks and coffee and just stick to myself?  Should I make a comment about how difficult it is for me to understand her when she speaks?  Not sure what to do.  Any advice?

Not sure what you mean by this. "the Complain Train is off and running" I assume she complains in Korean so how do you know, unless you're fluent. If that's the case, maybe it'd be better just to speak Korean

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
I have a woman in my school's office that likes to make comments about how "difficult" it is to hear me speaking in English.  She "jokingly" complains about not being able to understand me. 
Other teachers often ask me to come over to their side of the office for snacks or coffee, but the moment I open my mouth to speak to an English teacher, the Complain Train is off and running.  What should I do about this?  I mean, I can understand her difficulty in understanding me when I speak... but what is the alternative?  Should I join for coffee and snacks and just keep deadly quiet?  Should I decline the snacks and coffee and just stick to myself?  Should I make a comment about how difficult it is for me to understand her when she speaks?  Not sure what to do.  Any advice?

When my co-workers invite me to eat and drink with them, I usually oblige them but don't speak at all unless spoken to. They tell me that they welcome my English and want me to speak more, but I guarantee you that if I did, nobody would understand. I usually eat with them as a polite gesture, but I don't try to speak unless they actively make the effort first to speak English. You can stick to yourself if you want to (don't make it sound like you don't want their company), or if you do go with them, just don't talk unless they reciprocate the effort. You could point out how difficult it is to understand Korean to that lady, but it runs the risk of coming off wrong and she might have a petty attitude towards you. Last thing you want is an uncomfortable work environment.

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
I have a woman in my school's office that likes to make comments about how "difficult" it is to hear me speaking in English.  She "jokingly" complains about not being able to understand me. 
Other teachers often ask me to come over to their side of the office for snacks or coffee, but the moment I open my mouth to speak to an English teacher, the Complain Train is off and running.  What should I do about this?  I mean, I can understand her difficulty in understanding me when I speak... but what is the alternative?  Should I join for coffee and snacks and just keep deadly quiet?  Should I decline the snacks and coffee and just stick to myself?  Should I make a comment about how difficult it is for me to understand her when she speaks?  Not sure what to do.  Any advice?

I... I don't get it. Like wayook.org user eggieguffer said, if you're able to understand what she's saying as well as you do, then just speak Korean with the other teachers. And if you don't understand what she's saying, because you don't really speak Korean well enough, then maybe she isn't complaining about you and you're just imagining it.

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
I have a woman in my school's office that likes to make comments about how "difficult" it is to hear me speaking in English.  She "jokingly" complains about not being able to understand me. 
Other teachers often ask me to come over to their side of the office for snacks or coffee, but the moment I open my mouth to speak to an English teacher, the Complain Train is off and running.  What should I do about this?  I mean, I can understand her difficulty in understanding me when I speak... but what is the alternative?  Should I join for coffee and snacks and just keep deadly quiet?  Should I decline the snacks and coffee and just stick to myself?  Should I make a comment about how difficult it is for me to understand her when she speaks?  Not sure what to do.  Any advice?

Not sure what you mean by this. "the Complain Train is off and running" I assume she complains in Korean so how do you know, unless you're fluent. If that's the case, maybe it'd be better just to speak Korean

well, i don't know. my korean listening skills are wayyy better than my speaking.

i'd probably just stop joining them. in fact, that's what i did when i worked in public school, as everyone would ignore me and i'd have to sit in silence for abut an hour, being ignored

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
I have a woman in my school's office that likes to make comments about how "difficult" it is to hear me speaking in English.  She "jokingly" complains about not being able to understand me. 
Other teachers often ask me to come over to their side of the office for snacks or coffee, but the moment I open my mouth to speak to an English teacher, the Complain Train is off and running.  What should I do about this?  I mean, I can understand her difficulty in understanding me when I speak... but what is the alternative?  Should I join for coffee and snacks and just keep deadly quiet?  Should I decline the snacks and coffee and just stick to myself?  Should I make a comment about how difficult it is for me to understand her when she speaks?  Not sure what to do.  Any advice?

I... I don't get it. Like wayook.org user eggieguffer said, if you're able to understand what she's saying as well as you do, then just speak Korean with the other teachers. And if you don't understand what she's saying, because you don't really speak Korean well enough, then maybe she isn't complaining about you and you're just imagining it.

Thanks for the response. 
I know she is complaining, not because I can speak Korean, but because my co-teacher relays the message to me.  I am not misunderstanding nor imagining her words.  They have relayed to me verbatim.
She usually makes the comment with a giggle, so I don’t think my co-teacher takes it as a complaint.  Since it has happened so often though, probably 6-7 different times now, I am beginning to really have an issue with it. 
I think that my best option is remain silent from now on, and just keep to myself.  I do not want to cause an issue in the office or with my school.   

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
I have a woman in my school's office that likes to make comments about how "difficult" it is to hear me speaking in English.  She "jokingly" complains about not being able to understand me. 
Other teachers often ask me to come over to their side of the office for snacks or coffee, but the moment I open my mouth to speak to an English teacher, the Complain Train is off and running.  What should I do about this?  I mean, I can understand her difficulty in understanding me when I speak... but what is the alternative?  Should I join for coffee and snacks and just keep deadly quiet?  Should I decline the snacks and coffee and just stick to myself?  Should I make a comment about how difficult it is for me to understand her when she speaks?  Not sure what to do.  Any advice?

I... I don't get it. Like wayook.org user eggieguffer said, if you're able to understand what she's saying as well as you do, then just speak Korean with the other teachers. And if you don't understand what she's saying, because you don't really speak Korean well enough, then maybe she isn't complaining about you and you're just imagining it.

Thanks for the response. 
I know she is complaining, not because I can speak Korean, but because my co-teacher relays the message to me.  I am not misunderstanding nor imagining her words.  They have relayed to me verbatim.
She usually makes the comment with a giggle, so I don’t think my co-teacher takes it as a complaint.  Since it has happened so often though, probably 6-7 different times now, I am beginning to really have an issue with it. 
I think that my best option is remain silent from now on, and just keep to myself.  I do not want to cause an issue in the office or with my school.

What are the messages exactly? That she thinks you're speaking English too loudly or just that you're speaking English? She sounds like a real ratbag anyway

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
I have a woman in my school's office that likes to make comments about how "difficult" it is to hear me speaking in English.  She "jokingly" complains about not being able to understand me. 
Other teachers often ask me to come over to their side of the office for snacks or coffee, but the moment I open my mouth to speak to an English teacher, the Complain Train is off and running.  What should I do about this?  I mean, I can understand her difficulty in understanding me when I speak... but what is the alternative?  Should I join for coffee and snacks and just keep deadly quiet?  Should I decline the snacks and coffee and just stick to myself?  Should I make a comment about how difficult it is for me to understand her when she speaks?  Not sure what to do.  Any advice?

I find the best way to deal with this is to ask her if she is married in Korean. If she says no you giggle and say how old are you? If she says yes, you say in Korean do you have a picture of your husband? Then she shows you on her cell phone and when she passes it to you, you say he looks younger than you then giggle, grab a choco pie and saunter off back to your desk.

Gotta let the office know who's boss.

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
I have a woman in my school's office that likes to make comments about how "difficult" it is to hear me speaking in English.  She "jokingly" complains about not being able to understand me. 
Other teachers often ask me to come over to their side of the office for snacks or coffee, but the moment I open my mouth to speak to an English teacher, the Complain Train is off and running.  What should I do about this?  I mean, I can understand her difficulty in understanding me when I speak... but what is the alternative?  Should I join for coffee and snacks and just keep deadly quiet?  Should I decline the snacks and coffee and just stick to myself?  Should I make a comment about how difficult it is for me to understand her when she speaks?  Not sure what to do.  Any advice?

I find the best way to deal with this is to ask her if she is married in Korean. If she says no you giggle and say how old are you? If she says yes, you say in Korean do you have a picture of your husband? Then she shows you on her cell phone and when she passes it to you, you say he looks younger than you then giggle, grab a choco pie and saunter off back to your desk.

Gotta let the office know who's boss.

Ice cold.

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
I have a woman in my school's office that likes to make comments about how "difficult" it is to hear me speaking in English.  She "jokingly" complains about not being able to understand me. 
Other teachers often ask me to come over to their side of the office for snacks or coffee, but the moment I open my mouth to speak to an English teacher, the Complain Train is off and running.  What should I do about this?  I mean, I can understand her difficulty in understanding me when I speak... but what is the alternative?  Should I join for coffee and snacks and just keep deadly quiet?  Should I decline the snacks and coffee and just stick to myself?  Should I make a comment about how difficult it is for me to understand her when she speaks?  Not sure what to do.  Any advice?

I find the best way to deal with this is to ask her if she is married in Korean. If she says no you giggle and say how old are you? If she says yes, you say in Korean do you have a picture of your husband? Then she shows you on her cell phone and when she passes it to you, you say he looks younger than you then giggle, grab a choco pie and saunter off back to your desk.

Gotta let the office know who's boss.

Hilarious.... but not quite the direction I was thinking.  Thanks for making me LOL at my desk though.  :-)

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
I have a woman in my school's office that likes to make comments about how "difficult" it is to hear me speaking in English.  She "jokingly" complains about not being able to understand me. 
Other teachers often ask me to come over to their side of the office for snacks or coffee, but the moment I open my mouth to speak to an English teacher, the Complain Train is off and running.  What should I do about this?  I mean, I can understand her difficulty in understanding me when I speak... but what is the alternative?  Should I join for coffee and snacks and just keep deadly quiet?  Should I decline the snacks and coffee and just stick to myself?  Should I make a comment about how difficult it is for me to understand her when she speaks?  Not sure what to do.  Any advice?

I find the best way to deal with this is to ask her if she is married in Korean. If she says no you giggle and say how old are you? If she says yes, you say in Korean do you have a picture of your husband? Then she shows you on her cell phone and when she passes it to you, you say he looks younger than you then giggle, grab a choco pie and saunter off back to your desk.

Gotta let the office know who's boss.

 

Exactly. Don't get mad, get even.

So I have been having this issue for a while, and wonder what others think about it. 
....
I think that my best option is remain silent from now on, and just keep to myself.  I do not want to cause an issue in the office or with my school.

You prefer to punish yourself for daring to have been raised as an English-speaker over growing a polite spine?

"I'm sorry, Mrs. X, but what you say is hurting my feelings. I will not speak to you in English, don't worry."

Then blank her. She will get the message.


People are not more or less people based on what language(s) they speak, and perpetuating that only hurts other foreigners and makes you less-than in the eyes of everyone.

The TV in my classroom broke last Monday right around 2:45 PM.... 

It is now the following Monday.  You'd think it would have been fixed by now.  Yea, me too.  but NOPE!  So I ask about it and was told that "they" (admin) maybe forgot to call in a Tech to have it fixed.  I mean, really?!  Heading to the individual classrooms is not a big deal, but it kina is since I have to drag everything with me, (books, CD's in case the teachers don't have them set up on their TV's, games, projects) etc etc. 

I'm literally on the last chapter in all my class and this TV thing is making me fall behind.  **sigh** 

The TV in my classroom broke last Monday right around 2:45 PM.... 

It is now the following Monday.  You'd think it would have been fixed by now.  Yea, me too.  but NOPE!  So I ask about it and was told that "they" (admin) maybe forgot to call in a Tech to have it fixed.  I mean, really?!  Heading to the individual classrooms is not a big deal, but it kina is since I have to drag everything with me, (books, CD's in case the teachers don't have them set up on their TV's, games, projects) etc etc. 

I'm literally on the last chapter in all my class and this TV thing is making me fall behind.  **sigh**

At my second school, it took them literal weeks just to fix the sound system in some of the classrooms. Some of which only needed a new aux cord. It was fun reading the book, rather than doing the listening sections every time 

There really is no point being here anymore.

Check schedule - go to class - no one shows up.

I've been here for five years and this happens over and over again.  No explanation unless I go and ask for one and certainly no apology.  In my first couple of years it didn't bother me.  I was a brand new teacher, pay your dues and all that.  But I've been here for five years now and feel like I've more than proved myself.  I honestly don't know what I have to do to be shown even a tiny bit of respect.   

The TV in my classroom broke last Monday right around 2:45 PM.... 

It is now the following Monday.  You'd think it would have been fixed by now.  Yea, me too.  but NOPE!  So I ask about it and was told that "they" (admin) maybe forgot to call in a Tech to have it fixed.  I mean, really?!  Heading to the individual classrooms is not a big deal, but it kina is since I have to drag everything with me, (books, CD's in case the teachers don't have them set up on their TV's, games, projects) etc etc. 

I'm literally on the last chapter in all my class and this TV thing is making me fall behind.  **sigh**

That sucks! It's not too bad, though. I have to go to the homerooms for all of the classes at my big school. It's annoying, but it only adds an minute or two before the start. I just wouldn't do anything that involves a ton of prep for the next few days.