Been doing this stupid teaching job for several years, I hate that I'm back and have to be told exactly how to run my classes. my co-teachers stop me in the middle of the class and tell me, you should do this, you should do that. while another teacher showed me how she runs her class, and then asks me if i can do it. I said I'd try, but I have my own style too which doesn't involve 20 minutes of drills. that is literally all they do in regular classes, is memorize a script and then read it about 20 times (not exaggerating) in every class, until they reach 100 times and then they get a sticker. I ask them simple questions which they can't answer or understand because it'snot on their script. When I try to deviate from how the teacher does things, she stops me and says that's too difficult and do it her way instead....
Quote from: wherever dreaming goes on April 12, 2019, 08:24:56 amBeen doing this stupid teaching job for several years, I hate that I'm back and have to be told exactly how to run my classes. my co-teachers stop me in the middle of the class and tell me, you should do this, you should do that. while another teacher showed me how she runs her class, and then asks me if i can do it. I said I'd try, but I have my own style too which doesn't involve 20 minutes of drills. that is literally all they do in regular classes, is memorize a script and then read it about 20 times (not exaggerating) in every class, until they reach 100 times and then they get a sticker. I ask them simple questions which they can't answer or understand because it'snot on their script. When I try to deviate from how the teacher does things, she stops me and says that's too difficult and do it her way instead.... I've always wondered about memorising and repeating. My coteachers are obsessed with it. I think it's a tactic of theirs to fill time in the class by saying something like "memorise this dialogue for twenty minutes". Well that works out pretty well for them and not having to plan much for the class.They've suggested the same thing to me and I've always thought to myself "what was the point in me flying thousands of miles to come here if all you want me to do is have the students memorise and recite dialogues?"
Quote from: alexisalex on April 12, 2019, 10:09:08 amQuote from: wherever dreaming goes on April 12, 2019, 08:24:56 amBeen doing this stupid teaching job for several years, I hate that I'm back and have to be told exactly how to run my classes. my co-teachers stop me in the middle of the class and tell me, you should do this, you should do that. while another teacher showed me how she runs her class, and then asks me if i can do it. I said I'd try, but I have my own style too which doesn't involve 20 minutes of drills. that is literally all they do in regular classes, is memorize a script and then read it about 20 times (not exaggerating) in every class, until they reach 100 times and then they get a sticker. I ask them simple questions which they can't answer or understand because it'snot on their script. When I try to deviate from how the teacher does things, she stops me and says that's too difficult and do it her way instead.... I've always wondered about memorising and repeating. My coteachers are obsessed with it. I think it's a tactic of theirs to fill time in the class by saying something like "memorise this dialogue for twenty minutes". Well that works out pretty well for them and not having to plan much for the class.They've suggested the same thing to me and I've always thought to myself "what was the point in me flying thousands of miles to come here if all you want me to do is have the students memorise and recite dialogues?"It's one of those things where I question the point of us being here. I'm all for an easy lesson plan, but at least give it us some purpose here
Quote from: wherever dreaming goes on April 12, 2019, 08:24:56 amBeen doing this stupid teaching job for several years, I hate that I'm back and have to be told exactly how to run my classes. my co-teachers stop me in the middle of the class and tell me, you should do this, you should do that. while another teacher showed me how she runs her class, and then asks me if i can do it. I said I'd try, but I have my own style too which doesn't involve 20 minutes of drills. that is literally all they do in regular classes, is memorize a script and then read it about 20 times (not exaggerating) in every class, until they reach 100 times and then they get a sticker. I ask them simple questions which they can't answer or understand because it'snot on their script. When I try to deviate from how the teacher does things, she stops me and says that's too difficult and do it her way instead.... I'm lucky enough to have CTs who're mature and we work well together, usually. Co-teaching is something many Korean teachers aren't used to and instead of working with you, it's easier to tell you what to do.It sounds like you've adopted a submissive role and your CTs are asserting their style, mainly because it's easier but perhaps, they feel the need to assert themselves as the dominate teacher, particularly to the students. Despite being English teachers, many CTs are incredibly insecure about their English ability and will go to great lengths not to jeopardize their reputation, this includes falling back into rote-learning, it's predictable to teach and there's little margin for error and making sure they're never put in a position to expose their English ability. Ever wondered why she doesn't want to you or the students to deviate from the script? She can't answer those questions and it terrifies her. The easiest solution would be to split the period into your CTs time and your time.The other way, of course, as to assert yourself as an authority of what you teach and as a teacher, this includes everything from how you present yourself, your tone of voice and projecting confidence. Conflict is likely to arise, but IMO, it's for the best.- If your CT interrupts you mid-lesson, cut him/her off before they can finish, tell them you'll speak about it later, and carry on.- Stay polite, but be abrupt. Stop saying "ummm, well, I dunno etc." when asked to do something you don't want to, just say no.- Stick to your guns and be stubborn but leave the door open for compromise. You are the NET, you are the sole authority on correct English in your classroom. Act like it and your CT and students will treat you this way. Good luck
Quote from: wherever dreaming goes on April 12, 2019, 08:24:56 amBeen doing this stupid teaching job for several years, I hate that I'm back and have to be told exactly how to run my classes. my co-teachers stop me in the middle of the class and tell me, you should do this, you should do that. while another teacher showed me how she runs her class, and then asks me if i can do it. I said I'd try, but I have my own style too which doesn't involve 20 minutes of drills. that is literally all they do in regular classes, is memorize a script and then read it about 20 times (not exaggerating) in every class, until they reach 100 times and then they get a sticker. I ask them simple questions which they can't answer or understand because it'snot on their script. When I try to deviate from how the teacher does things, she stops me and says that's too difficult and do it her way instead.... Your coteachers actually come to class? And they stick around for the whole period? And they try to teach?Far out.
Quote from: JVPrice on April 12, 2019, 10:26:08 amQuote from: alexisalex on April 12, 2019, 10:09:08 amQuote from: wherever dreaming goes on April 12, 2019, 08:24:56 amBeen doing this stupid teaching job for several years, I hate that I'm back and have to be told exactly how to run my classes. my co-teachers stop me in the middle of the class and tell me, you should do this, you should do that. while another teacher showed me how she runs her class, and then asks me if i can do it. I said I'd try, but I have my own style too which doesn't involve 20 minutes of drills. that is literally all they do in regular classes, is memorize a script and then read it about 20 times (not exaggerating) in every class, until they reach 100 times and then they get a sticker. I ask them simple questions which they can't answer or understand because it'snot on their script. When I try to deviate from how the teacher does things, she stops me and says that's too difficult and do it her way instead.... I've always wondered about memorising and repeating. My coteachers are obsessed with it. I think it's a tactic of theirs to fill time in the class by saying something like "memorise this dialogue for twenty minutes". Well that works out pretty well for them and not having to plan much for the class.They've suggested the same thing to me and I've always thought to myself "what was the point in me flying thousands of miles to come here if all you want me to do is have the students memorise and recite dialogues?"It's one of those things where I question the point of us being here. I'm all for an easy lesson plan, but at least give it us some purpose hereI find that often my actual, unofficial, role is as an English editor i.e. finding and pointing out all of the English errors and bizarre style choices that somehow made it into the official materials (not to mention the extra materials made by KETs). I want to find out how much our city spends on the official English textbooks but at the same point I think I might self-immolate if I do.
In my experience, my coteachers are rarely interested in what's natural. Even after I've given them the natural expression they'll take their phone out and get straight onto Naver translate to try and pick holes in what I've told them. Even vocabulary...I'm telling you the word is "shoelace" not "rope".
Yes, Maichuu is still considered a candy.
My co teachers are a mixed bag of things that I hate in equal amount.One teacher....will translate EVERYTHING i say. It's irritating beyond belief. I say "open your books to page 30" the students have already started to do it..
Quote from: debbiem89 on April 12, 2019, 02:59:54 pmMy co teachers are a mixed bag of things that I hate in equal amount.One teacher....will translate EVERYTHING i say. It's irritating beyond belief. I say "open your books to page 30" the students have already started to do it..INT. KOREAN PUBLIC SCHOOL - MORNINGIt's an average Tuesday morning. Kevin Teacher is up at the front, ready to pick the next student to read by burying his hand into a bucket full of popsicle sticks, each individually labelled with the students ID numbers, 1 through 25. The grade 6 children look on, some with pure terror in their eyes, others hoping to be the chosen one. Regardless, they have all gone through 3 odd years of English and know how to count to 1000. Kevin Teacher lifts his hand skyward, reveals a devilish smirk and plunges his right hand into the bucket below. Kevin Teacher: Student. Number............. ......... Seven! 칠번
Except in my public middle school there are legit students who don't know any numbers above 10. Yesterday, I was completely dumbfounded when one 3rd grade girl didn't know the difference between summer and winter. Am I doing something wrong? Lol
Am I doing something wrong? Lol
Quote from: Aristocrat on April 12, 2019, 09:46:59 amQuote from: wherever dreaming goes on April 12, 2019, 08:24:56 amBeen doing this stupid teaching job for several years, I hate that I'm back and have to be told exactly how to run my classes. my co-teachers stop me in the middle of the class and tell me, you should do this, you should do that. while another teacher showed me how she runs her class, and then asks me if i can do it. I said I'd try, but I have my own style too which doesn't involve 20 minutes of drills. that is literally all they do in regular classes, is memorize a script and then read it about 20 times (not exaggerating) in every class, until they reach 100 times and then they get a sticker. I ask them simple questions which they can't answer or understand because it'snot on their script. When I try to deviate from how the teacher does things, she stops me and says that's too difficult and do it her way instead.... I'm lucky enough to have CTs who're mature and we work well together, usually. Co-teaching is something many Korean teachers aren't used to and instead of working with you, it's easier to tell you what to do.It sounds like you've adopted a submissive role and your CTs are asserting their style, mainly because it's easier but perhaps, they feel the need to assert themselves as the dominate teacher, particularly to the students. Despite being English teachers, many CTs are incredibly insecure about their English ability and will go to great lengths not to jeopardize their reputation, this includes falling back into rote-learning, it's predictable to teach and there's little margin for error and making sure they're never put in a position to expose their English ability. Ever wondered why she doesn't want to you or the students to deviate from the script? She can't answer those questions and it terrifies her. The easiest solution would be to split the period into your CTs time and your time.The other way, of course, as to assert yourself as an authority of what you teach and as a teacher, this includes everything from how you present yourself, your tone of voice and projecting confidence. Conflict is likely to arise, but IMO, it's for the best.- If your CT interrupts you mid-lesson, cut him/her off before they can finish, tell them you'll speak about it later, and carry on.- Stay polite, but be abrupt. Stop saying "ummm, well, I dunno etc." when asked to do something you don't want to, just say no.- Stick to your guns and be stubborn but leave the door open for compromise. You are the NET, you are the sole authority on correct English in your classroom. Act like it and your CT and students will treat you this way. Good luckI've just been talked to by another teacher, my head English teacher. She explained that this very teacher is not a regular teacher but is considered as one of those higher class teachers that is on a special list of some sort and that she not only teaches students she also teaches Teachers. I explained my point of view in that a script is useless outside of the classroom even though it may look good to other people when they are there watching (I was impressed in the first class, but then learnt they know nothing outside of it) but it's something they will never actually use. And her (head teacher) response was that I should just follow her (co-T) and try to do it her way. We've already split up the lessons and chapters, she does the odd numbers and I do the even numbered chapters, yet, in my classes, she takes up 15 to 20 minutes of drilling and repeating scripts and then I'm left with the rest of the time to rush through. So yeah.... it's only been 1 month.