RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

  Didn't they recently pass a law making it illegal for uni students to ask for grade increases from their profs?

Isn't there a law making it illegal to run a red light? 

Touche!

But now when a student starts that annoying pleading, you can pull out the ol' "It is illegal for me to change your grades, and it is illegal for you to ask me to. Do you really want to be breaking the law?" 

I have open class tomorrow... which isn't a big deal in itself, but being told back in Sep. that we were going to have it in Nov. then it being put off and then put off again, I thought (<~ my first mistake) maybe we weren't going to have it all.  Well, I was wrong.  My CoT came into my classroom to inform me that it's tomorrow and here's what she wants me to do.  She's had my email and my kakao ID for months but didn't bother to send me the lesson plan or even discuss it with me until 5 minutes before I had class.   

I'm not mad, mind you, just annoyed.  Funny part is, we're doing a "flea market" and she asked if I could bring things from home (American) that one would buy at a (North American) flea market. Ummmmm, FYI, I live in Korea and (my American coming out) I ain't got no sh*t that's American at home!  Back in the States, sure, but honey, I live in Korea!  What kind of "North American" things do you want me to bring in?     Hell!  Even my clothes are Korean. 

Good grief! 

Sat in the office listening to someone shout talking down the phone on speaker phone whilst chomping down on an apple and I want to throw my keyboard off his head! I can feel the rage growing inside me. 

is it really necessary to leave a note saying "when finish your class, please turn off computer!!" when once - in 10 months - this situation has happened?  it wasn't even my fault - it must have done some system updates after i pressed "off" then restarted.

is it really necessary to leave a note saying "when finish your class, please turn off computer!!" when once - in 10 months - this situation has happened?  it wasn't even my fault - it must have done some system updates after i pressed "off" then restarted.

Of course it is!  Didn't you know that YOU are the reason why electricity is so expensive in Korea?!  You damn waygook!  Gaaaaah!   

is it really necessary to leave a note saying "when finish your class, please turn off computer!!" when once - in 10 months - this situation has happened?  it wasn't even my fault - it must have done some system updates after i pressed "off" then restarted.

Jesus that sort of thing really gets on my nerves.

Recent example...I can't ever remember being late for a class, it's just not me.  The other day I was at my desk when the bell rang and presumably because I wasn't getting up the nano second I heard the bell, my CT said "You've got a class now??".  If I had shown a pattern of lateness then yeah give me a nudge but holy sh*t.

But when my CT and all the other teachers in my office are still chatting and doing nothing and then meander slowly to their classes five to ten minutes late, that's fine.

is it really necessary to leave a note saying "when finish your class, please turn off computer!!" when once - in 10 months - this situation has happened?  it wasn't even my fault - it must have done some system updates after i pressed "off" then restarted.

Jesus that sort of thing really gets on my nerves.

Recent example...I can't ever remember being late for a class, it's just not me.  The other day I was at my desk when the bell rang and presumably because I wasn't getting up the nano second I heard the bell, my CT said "You've got a class now??".  If I had shown a pattern of lateness then yeah give me a nudge but holy sh*t.

But when my CT and all the other teachers in my office are still chatting and doing nothing and then meander slowly to their classes five to ten minutes late, that's fine.

i accidentally left one of the wall-mounted electric fans on a few months ago, and i am not joking when i say it took a 5-teacher, 30 minute inquiry to discuss it. they were all standing outside the classroom in a circle, occasionally looking at me. it was so laughable, i had a hard time keeping a straight face. i was eventually told off, much like a naughty student would be, and someone came around every night for a while before i went home to make sure they were all turned off 

if i had left a fan on in england the conversation would have gone like this (if anyone even bothered to mention it, whih they probably wouldn't have)

"oh yeah, you left a fan on last night by the way"
"ah really. didn't know, sorry"
"yeah it's ok. anyway, what are you doing this weekend?"

is it really necessary to leave a note saying "when finish your class, please turn off computer!!" when once - in 10 months - this situation has happened?  it wasn't even my fault - it must have done some system updates after i pressed "off" then restarted.

Jesus that sort of thing really gets on my nerves.

Recent example...I can't ever remember being late for a class, it's just not me.  The other day I was at my desk when the bell rang and presumably because I wasn't getting up the nano second I heard the bell, my CT said "You've got a class now??".  If I had shown a pattern of lateness then yeah give me a nudge but holy sh*t.

But when my CT and all the other teachers in my office are still chatting and doing nothing and then meander slowly to their classes five to ten minutes late, that's fine.

At my school, the HR teacher is more or less required to lead their classes to their specials.  I make classes line up outside in order to calm everyone down, remind them to put out their books, nametag, pencilcase, etc, and then I greet them sort of individually as they enter the classroom. (This is something you will definitely benefit from if you don't do it already! It marks a space between whatever else in the world, and English class time.)

If a class is not ready outside when the bell rings, I always point out--not directly looking at the HR teacher, but kind of, looking at my watch (well, where my watch would be since I don't wear one anymore, but they understand)--"Oh, you guys are late today! I am sure we can be better prepared for English class next time." So, there's no actual face being lost, but they pick it up pretty well.

I also have my Co-T point out to HR teachers the math involved very early on in the year:  Let's say a class meets three times a week.  You're late by a mere three minutes each time.  In one month, that's an entire English class your HR students have missed!  (3X3X4.3=39 min)

So, sorry, Alex--it sounds like you had to leave your desk to get to the classroom?  Yeah, you were late.  It doesn't matter if other people are later. You should be ready to teach when that bell rings! You have 40 minutes of English class, be prepared to use all 40 minutes, and insist on your 40 minutes--otherwise, what are you being paid for?

It's not about being "strict"--it's being only as strict as you need to be. Different classes start in different places, so to speak.  You have to take them from where they are to where you want them to be.  Of course, you pick your battles (this is a hugely important concept) but being prepared and ready for class on time is a no-brainer, as it should be for you or I as teacher as well.

is it really necessary to leave a note saying "when finish your class, please turn off computer!!" when once - in 10 months - this situation has happened?  it wasn't even my fault - it must have done some system updates after i pressed "off" then restarted.

Jesus that sort of thing really gets on my nerves.

Recent example...I can't ever remember being late for a class, it's just not me.  The other day I was at my desk when the bell rang and presumably because I wasn't getting up the nano second I heard the bell, my CT said "You've got a class now??".  If I had shown a pattern of lateness then yeah give me a nudge but holy sh*t.

But when my CT and all the other teachers in my office are still chatting and doing nothing and then meander slowly to their classes five to ten minutes late, that's fine.

At my school, the HR teacher is more or less required to lead their classes to their specials.  I make classes line up outside in order to calm everyone down, remind them to put out their books, nametag, pencilcase, etc, and then I greet them sort of individually as they enter the classroom. (This is something you will definitely benefit from if you don't do it already! It marks a space between whatever else in the world, and English class time.)

If a class is not ready outside when the bell rings, I always point out--not directly looking at the HR teacher, but kind of, looking at my watch (well, where my watch would be since I don't wear one anymore, but they understand)--"Oh, you guys are late today! I am sure we can be better prepared for English class next time." So, there's no actual face being lost, but they pick it up pretty well.

I also have my Co-T point out to HR teachers the math involved very early on in the year:  Let's say a class meets three times a week.  You're late by a mere three minutes each time.  In one month, that's an entire English class your HR students have missed!  (3X3X4.3=39 min)

So, sorry, Alex--it sounds like you had to leave your desk to get to the classroom?  Yeah, you were late.  It doesn't matter if other people are later. You should be ready to teach when that bell rings! You have 40 minutes of English class, be prepared to use all 40 minutes, and insist on your 40 minutes--otherwise, what are you being paid for?

It's not about being "strict"--it's being only as strict as you need to be. Different classes start in different places, so to speak.  You have to take them from where they are to where you want them to be.  Of course, you pick your battles (this is a hugely important concept) but being prepared and ready for class on time is a no-brainer, as it should be for you or I as teacher as well.

Not so sure about your school but all my school bells ring 5 minutes before the class starts so leaving a minute or 30 seconds later does not mean you are late nor neglecting your duties to fill your 40 minutes. I am pretty sure all he was pointing out was the hypocrisy of someone questioning him on something that is way overdone by the other teachers and super rarely if not ever by him.

About the make them line up outside orderly and then do an individual greet outside the class I totally agree. It does get them used to having to line up orderly and then be ready for class. I have used that at any school where I have my own English class and I think it works great.

is it really necessary to leave a note saying "when finish your class, please turn off computer!!" when once - in 10 months - this situation has happened?  it wasn't even my fault - it must have done some system updates after i pressed "off" then restarted.

Jesus that sort of thing really gets on my nerves.

Recent example...I can't ever remember being late for a class, it's just not me.  The other day I was at my desk when the bell rang and presumably because I wasn't getting up the nano second I heard the bell, my CT said "You've got a class now??".  If I had shown a pattern of lateness then yeah give me a nudge but holy sh*t.

But when my CT and all the other teachers in my office are still chatting and doing nothing and then meander slowly to their classes five to ten minutes late, that's fine.

At my school, the HR teacher is more or less required to lead their classes to their specials.  I make classes line up outside in order to calm everyone down, remind them to put out their books, nametag, pencilcase, etc, and then I greet them sort of individually as they enter the classroom. (This is something you will definitely benefit from if you don't do it already! It marks a space between whatever else in the world, and English class time.)

If a class is not ready outside when the bell rings, I always point out--not directly looking at the HR teacher, but kind of, looking at my watch (well, where my watch would be since I don't wear one anymore, but they understand)--"Oh, you guys are late today! I am sure we can be better prepared for English class next time." So, there's no actual face being lost, but they pick it up pretty well.

I also have my Co-T point out to HR teachers the math involved very early on in the year:  Let's say a class meets three times a week.  You're late by a mere three minutes each time.  In one month, that's an entire English class your HR students have missed!  (3X3X4.3=39 min)

So, sorry, Alex--it sounds like you had to leave your desk to get to the classroom?  Yeah, you were late.  It doesn't matter if other people are later. You should be ready to teach when that bell rings! You have 40 minutes of English class, be prepared to use all 40 minutes, and insist on your 40 minutes--otherwise, what are you being paid for?

It's not about being "strict"--it's being only as strict as you need to be. Different classes start in different places, so to speak.  You have to take them from where they are to where you want them to be.  Of course, you pick your battles (this is a hugely important concept) but being prepared and ready for class on time is a no-brainer, as it should be for you or I as teacher as well.

Yeah I thought someone might pick up that.

So...I totally agree that students and teachers should be in the classroom when the bell rings so they're ready to begin.  I learned that when I was at school.  When I first came here, I'd be in the classroom ten minutes before the bell so I was ready.  I quickly realised (and I don't know if this is just my school, English classes in general or Korean culture as a whole) that nobody ever came on time; neither the students nor my CTs.

At my school the bell seems to be the thing that tells you to start heading to the class or to start thinking about heading to the class; again, teachers and students.

I have to disagree with you I'm afraid...if I'm in the classroom before my students and my CT then I'm not late.

So now I just do as everyone else does.  Wait for the bell and still arrive before everyone else.

My favorite part of winter is how everyone decides it's a good idea to leave all the doors and windows wide open in the hallways. Yes, let ALL the cold air in

My favorite part of winter is how everyone decides it's a good idea to leave all the doors and windows wide open in the hallways. Yes, let ALL the cold air in

OMG!  I was just having this conversation with my Mom no more than 15 minutes ago.    They do that crap here also.  I went around and closed them all.  It's just as bad in the Spring and Fall.  It's perfect out and the windows should be open, but they keep everything locked up tight so it's sweltering in your classroom.   

My favorite part of winter is how everyone decides it's a good idea to leave all the doors and windows wide open in the hallways. Yes, let ALL the cold air in

"But it's to clean the air."

"What's that? Couldn't hear you cause you're teeth are chattering."

Why does everyone insist on backing in their car at COSTCO.  Are they morons or what?  They come back their car and can't get the cart to the back of their car to load all the stuff. So it takes them 10 extra minutes to carry everything slowly to the back.  Meanwhile, there are no parking spaces.  Do they even think or use logic or simply follow what everyone else is doing?  Like backing in is some sort of rule.  God damn it. 

Why does everyone insist on backing in their car at COSTCO.  Are they morons or what?  They come back their car and can't get the cart to the back of their car to load all the stuff. So it takes them 10 extra minutes to carry everything slowly to the back.  Meanwhile, there are no parking spaces.  Do they even think or use logic or simply follow what everyone else is doing?  Like backing in is some sort of rule.  God damn it.

If you back in, you pull out. If you pull in, you back out. It's the same thing so I don't understand why you MUST back in, especially considering the reason you said.

My favorite part of winter is how everyone decides it's a good idea to leave all the doors and windows wide open in the hallways. Yes, let ALL the cold air in

"But it's to clean the air."

"What's that? Couldn't hear you cause you're teeth are chattering."

"Clean the air."
These are the same people always complaining about the fine dust

do i teach a bunch of moron kids? or does this happen to everyone else here, too?

"teacher, hot"
"................... ...take off your coat then"

do i teach a bunch of moron kids? or does this happen to everyone else here, too?

"teacher, hot"
"................... ...take off your coat then"

oh shit i thought they were complimenting me 
 

do i teach a bunch of moron kids? or does this happen to everyone else here, too?

"teacher, hot"
"................... ...take off your coat then"

Every winter.

Seriously, there's a variety of options one has when one is too hot indoors. One might...

Open the windows.
Turn on the fans.
Close the heating vent covers.
Turn of the heat.

Oooooooor....

Take off one's bulky winter coat.

I don't understand how all of those other options seem to spring to my students' minds before that last one.

On that note, "Close the door!" has officially reentered my regular vocabulary while I'm in the office. Why people insist on just standing there holding the door open while they have a conversation with someone in the office rather than just coming in and closing the door is beyond me.

Or they leave the classroom/office without closing the door. During summer and winter....this drives me crazy! Keep the cool in and keep the heat in. Then maybe the air/heat won't be so expensive to run and you won't have to shut it off to save money!