Thought I was a good teacher. Now, I'm not so sure.

[incognito84]

I'm really beat down.

I took a hagwon job after a few years at public school and a year at a hagwon before that. I took the job mainly to escape the mind numbing drudgery that my PS had become. I wanted to be stimulated and work alongside other foreigners.

My hagwon isn't so much a hagwon as it is a company. There are foreigners at every level and I answer to all foreigners. There are seminars and additional training. There is an overwhelmingly strong emphasis on teacher development and teaching ability. The pay is also a lot higher than a normal hagwon job and the housing is phenomenal. They want long term teachers.

Anyway, it looked great on paper so I signed up. Three months in and I've come to the discovery that despite thinking of myself as a good teacher I'm actually not that good at it. All my Korean co-teachers have complained numerous times. There have been weeks where I taught 36 hours (intensives) and prepped for an additional 20 hours just to stay on top of things and fix my rapport to no avail. I often get told it's because my classes aren't "fun enough" so I try to make them more fun and engaging, then I get told my classes are sloppy and disorganized (too little structure).

When I think a class goes well, the report goes in and it turns out it hasn't gone well. It seems like everything I think went well about the class gets cancelled out and overridden by everything that went wrong and always ends up in the negative. There is a constant feedback loop at my hagwon between the Korean staff/foreign teachers and everyone else. Apparently I get complained about the most.

I have classes where I *feel* that everything went swimmingly. The lesson flowed nicely, the grammar points resonated with the kids, they were engaged, there was a lot of talking and exchange, the kids had a good time and we left on a good note. Then I get these feedback reports that, while not really being specific, state that my classes were essentially crap. Which I really don't understand because there are foreign teachers at my hagwon who teach a class armed only with a wordsearch print out and no one complains about them.

Do you think it's really me or is this hagwon BS? Has anyone experienced this before? What happens is that the Korean teachers who are in the classroom with me complain to the company, who then complains down to my foreigner boss who then tells me (without many specifics) that I need to get my act together.

One thing that keeps eating away at me is that I taught public school for a long time and never had any negative feedback. I actually had a lot of positive feedback. I took it to heart and started to fancy myself a teacher and that's part of the reason I stay in Korea signing contracts (that and work is scarce back home). I am thinking of teaching as a career.

I'm now wondering if there are a lot of bad teachers in this country that just never get told they're bad teachers because of face-saving politics... Is it that I found that one job where they're straight with me or...?

[O.M.C.M.B.]

If you really feel your classes are going well and the students are learning, and you're not just lying to yourself, then you are probably doing a good job. The other teachers are just haters. Don't sweat it.

[Jozigirl]

I worked at a private school and a private company like this back home.  It was all family run and nepotism was rife.  I took the jobs because they sounded really good on paper - both jobs were a nightmare.  I was constantly told what I wasn't doing but never what I should actually do.  At the company, I was working 16 hour days and spending every weekend preparing work.  My boss was never satisfied and I eventually couldn't take it after a year so I chose not to renew the contract.

At the private school, I never actually had parents complain about me.  I had many thank me and tell me how much their kids enjoyed my classes and after school lessons and how much they appreciated all the extra work but I never heard anything positive from the school.  What I did hear, frequently, was what I wasn't doing and what a lousy job I was doing in everything else.  I was constantly told that I was rude to other teachers (because I would refuse to what was essentially their job or tell them that I couldn't produce 150 reports in 30 minutes but that it would be done by the next day - still unreasonable), that I wasn't a 'team-player', I was the worst teacher the school had ever had, I mistreated the kids, I was always late, blah blah blah - they literally said everything they could think of. 

When I was 'retrenched', they offered to keep me on in a part-time position instead of full-time  ???  which I turned down and, in my last 3 months at the school, I was lambasted for everything under the sun: My principal would literally lay into me verbally in the corridors first thing in the morning or just as the final bell rang at school when all the parents were around.  I was actually doing the work of two people (seriously, I replaced two people from the previous year) and ran the private music academy at the school so my hours were ridiculous.  The other teachers complained that I was lazy and didn't do even half as much work as the rest of the teachers.  By the time I left, they were still telling me how lousy I was - I did such a lousy job that they continue to use the entire syllabus that I created and left behind and have since published it as their official music programme.  They also phoned me several times the following year to ask if I would write and produce that year's school concert, coach and accompany their choirs and organise several cultural events.

I moved from one bad teaching experience to another and by the end of the second year, I was convinced that I shouldn't be teaching.  I actually apologised to a class of students on my first day of my next teaching job because I didn't think I would do a good job.  I don't know what makes a good teacher.  I never hear anything negative at my PS here so I doubt I'd ever get any true feedback here - although I get a fair amount of constructive criticism from my main co-teacher. 

Since you mentioned that there are so many foreigners at different levels in your school, would it be possible for you to sit down with one of them, outline the problem and ask them to clarify how they would like you to improve the problem.  Tell them that you'd like a little bit of guidance because you'd like to stay on long term (in line with what the school wants). 

It's a lousy situation to be in so good luck with it!

[DMZ]

I think a good teacher could be defined as someone who not only effectively 'teaches' (gets students to understand and remember skills/information) but also inspires. It is AT LEAST 80% up to the student to take charge of their own learning. After all, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

Some children don't need any inspiration at all as they see the value of learning and can produce results. Then there are those that are coerced into learning by their parents or the system itself, while others need more incentive, and often the teacher provides that.

If you are truly doubtful that you're doing a  good job then you need look no further than your students. Are they successful? Are they producing results? Are they inspired?

(*NOTE: Don't look to see if they children LIKE you. You don't have to be liked to be a good teacher.)

If they are then try not to take what the other teachers say too much to heart. They're probably being overly thorough or they have something personal against you, in which case you need to find out what it is and sort it out.

If you look honestly at yourself though and think that you could do with some improvement then try to take what they say to heart. If you make changes and they're still being critical then ask them to be more specific or ask them if you can observe their oh-so-perfect classes.

[Davox]

Well, there are two possibilities.  Either you are in fact a terrible teacher, or you're actually good but  they (your Korean co-teachers, or someone higher up with their company) just hate you for no real reason*.  I've been in Korea a few years now, at hagwons and public school and I've seen both happen multiple times to other teachers.

Not having seen your classes or  having any specific examples of stuff you're teaching, it's hard to tell which it is.  I mean, it's possible that, for example, your classes are actually not fun enough.  It's also pretty true that "not fun enough" is a pretty popular made up BS complaint in a lot of hagwons (and public schools I suspect too, but I have no personal experience with that complaint there).

Are you friendly with your Korean teachers?  Can you ask them directly what's up?

*wrong race, wrong age, wrong sex, fashion they don't like, hair color they are jealous of, you replaced a friend, you work too hard and make them look bad, you teach too well and make them look bad, etc.

[SBracken]

re: tnc04d; really! If you go to one of your students and ask them about a class last week and they can tell you what they learned, I consider that success. (heck, with my students if they remember the topic I'd consider it a success.) and if they smile when they see you? your win.

generally, happy students are willing students. I'd look at your kids' opinions before you keep listening to your supervisors. You say that (at least? most?) some classes go well- by the kids' standards ('lesson resonated well' and 'ended on a good note'). If these things are true then quite frankly there's only so much you can be failing at. Maybe you wear ugly shoes, and that's where your biggest failure lies.

If your co-workers are still cranky, I'd ask for suggestions on top of feedback. If your happy, learning students are such a disappointment, perhaps they (the complaining coworkers) can enlighten you.

[tamnier]

God it sounds like you work for a hagwon I used to work at.  I worked at this one branch and I was at the bottom of the barrel for marks as a teacher EVERY semester.  In fact they were considering firing me at one point.  So what did I do?  I decided to transfer to another branch and GUESS WHAT?  The problem WASN"T me. 

It was my boss who didn't actually watch my class footage, but had a bias against me and gave me the lowest scores out of all the teachers.

Sometimes I feel like the way a hagwon keeps you there is by making you feel bad about yourself.  Seriously, all that negative talk really gets to you, get outta there QUICK and find a public school job.

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

Then I get these feedback reports that, while not really being specific, state that my classes were essentially crap. Which I really don't understand because there are foreign teachers at my hagwon who teach a class armed only with a wordsearch print out and no one complains about them.

Just be laid back, non intense, do not push the kids to learn or to behave well.  That equals being a good hakwan teacher.  A babysitter essentially, dancing to the theme tune of English.  That is what our hakwan jobs are, the money is thebottom line and what the kids want and what their parents want is THE PRETENSE of learning English - but most of all a relaxing, fun time away from home and school with min ho and ju hee and funny foriegner teacher.  Your job in a nutshell is this -

To give the illusion of learning English whilst preserving the kid's self esteem and face at all times.

Take job seriously (which IS a good thing, just not in this country) equals job suicide in Korea.

Watch one of the more popular teachers who is popular with both kids and bosses and just do what they do.

I'm in the same boat and can't wait for the next last 5 weeks to pass so I can leave this ridiculous shoddy industry which has tried it's best to drag me down and chip away at my self esteem (would have done too had I not worked extensively back home and thus know I am a very competent person etc and Mum was a proffessional child minder so I know I'm great with kids, just not Korean kids...) and try my hand in Shanghai, where I've been told by a friend who has been there a year that it's much, much better there.

I really do not have the word to fully express my utter contempt for the ESL / EFL industry in South Korea and the way it treats those most essential to it - the foriegn teachers.  That's why they pay so much - coz we'd all leave in droves if they paid the same as other places.

[cinamon]

Can you post a sample lesson plan?  That would help a lot.

I think something is definitely up.  If it was one or two people then I would chalk it up to being something personal but everybody giving you the same feedback is very unusual. 

Did you ever ask them spefically what they don't like about your lessons?  Don't do it in a confrontational way, but in a laidback, humble pie sort of way.  Make sure you practice your poker face before you attempt this.  Ask them what exactly they are critical of and how you could fix it.  If they can't tell you, they're just bsing.

Edit:  Also I've found that the disorganized, loud, entertaining lessons are what Koreans look for.  Don't even try to teach because you'll just be deemed as a "boring" teacher.  They don't care about results, only if it looks like the students learned something (even if they didn't).  It's frustrating but it'll save you alot of stress by just giving them what they want.

For example, when I put a lot of time into planning my lessons, I get criticized for being a boring teacher.  When I just throw together a bunch of filler activities and some remnants of a topic, I get praises.  The latter is much easier and less stressful.

[hilarity ensues]

I would ask them to observe one of their 'great teachers' and then just copy what they do... if they really care about teacher development then they should be all-too-happy to oblige you.

And please, for your own sanity, bear in mind that teaching is full of brutally insecure people who can't even admit to themselves when it's a personal grudge/burning need for a scapegoat/target as opposed to anything teaching or education-related... you get that everywhere, but if it's a staff of all foreigners in Korea, I'd imagine it's even worse. If it were me, I'd probably just leave and go elsewhere.

I used to work at NOVA in Japan back in the day and it was a complete joke-- few people actually wanted promotions so the people who got to the upper management had this sense of not really belonging there... and sometimes they did alright or just breezed through but every now and then you'd get some horrible person who had just tasted power for the first time in their wretched lives, and their utter lack of people skills meant that everyone was miserable-- sounds a lot like your situation.

[incognito84]

Thanks for all your input, guys. It made me feel a lot better.

If I worked with only Koreans then I might not be here asking this as I do know how catty Korean culture is. The brunt of it is that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I'm not the worst teacher there though I am questioning whether or not I'm a good teacher as a result of this. I do get picked on about ten times more than other foreign teachers. My boss says that he doesn't know exactly why, he just knows that the Korean teachers themselves complain about me the most and it's his duty to tell me to straighten up. If I do one thing and they tell me to do the opposite, I do the opposite and then I get in trouble for that. If I greatly improve on a weakness they point out, they come back to me and say that I'm still crap. It's almost as if they're giving me crap for the sake of giving me crap.

I do know that the Korean staff hates me. It's confirmed. They don't even respond to me when I say "hello" at this point.

The reason being (I assume) is that I had a spat earlier this year at one of them for what I saw as gross incompetence on their part. The Korean teacher wanted to use my classes as a period for the kids to complete their homework from their class. My role in the class would just be to read the answers to them and help them fill in the blanks. I said no because it was my class and I would get in major trouble for that. He also wasn't my boss. We argued a lot, it escalated and eventually he got fired (about a month later). I know the Korean teachers don't like me because of that but I didn't think it would go as far as them sabotaging me. I didn't think this was high school. I thought my teaching ability would stand for itself, politics be damned. Guess I'm wrong?

My foreign bosses are really quick to back up the Korean teachers and shut down everything I say. The more I say in my defence, the deeper the hole I'm digging for myself gets. It doesn't matter that they don't know me at all or that they've watched me teach and had no major complaints. I think that because of the way the company is structured, them taking the side of the foreigner in this case would be career suicide for them, considering Korean staff outnumber us 50:1.

I'm not trying to absolve myself here. I'm more or less just thinking out loud. It could be either way... I could have severe deficiencies in my teaching ability or it could all be the product of office politics. The thing is, I've always known more or less that while it's very possible I'm not a great teacher, I'm nowhere near bad and not deserving of all this crap.

Another interesting little tidbit is that my co-worker wasn't allowed to renew his contract. He asked his old recruiter what the hagwon was looking for now because they always promised all of us that they wanted long-term, 'serious' teachers. The recruiter spilled they're putting an age cap on new hires and appearance is going to be really important. Lots of blonde haired, blue eyed 22-year-olds, basically. I guess any hagwon that wants 'serious teachers' is too good to be true... 

[SBracken]

If they're being really stupid about their 'suggestions',  you could propose both options that you were told to do and then got in trouble for. It sounds like a bunch of just not-too-pleasant people :(

Strictly in terms of your teaching, again- let your students decide how good of a teacher you are. If they've been benefiting from your lessons, academically, then screw whatever the bureaucrats are talking about. If maybe they ever have a point (and it's *always* helpful to re-evaluate- but not self-doubt- yourself).

Good luck mate

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

We argued a lot, it escalated and eventually he got fired (about a month later). I know the Korean teachers don't like me because of that but I didn't think it would go as far as them sabotaging me. I didn't think this was high school. I thought my teaching ability would stand for itself, politics be damned. Guess I'm wrong?

You are completely and utterly wrong as could possibly be.

Sorry you're going through this bs.

Koreans hold childish grudges like you could never even begin to imagine.  I reccomend you watch the awesome film 'fear and trembling' which is Japanese but will ive you an isnight into the same aspect of Korean culture.

Try for a gig in shanghai if I were you - EF are hiring for October and paying 12.35.

[incognito84]

We argued a lot, it escalated and eventually he got fired (about a month later). I know the Korean teachers don't like me because of that but I didn't think it would go as far as them sabotaging me. I didn't think this was high school. I thought my teaching ability would stand for itself, politics be damned. Guess I'm wrong?

You are completely and utterly wrong as could possibly be.

Sorry you're going through this bs.

Koreans hold childish grudges like you could never even begin to imagine.  I reccomend you watch the awesome film 'fear and trembling' which is Japanese but will ive you an isnight into the same aspect of Korean culture.

Try for a gig in shanghai if I were you - EF are hiring for October and paying 12.35.

I've been told on numerous occasions by bosses at this job, mainly foreign bosses, that Koreans are hard working, fair, honest and that they will treat you well if you do your job.

Of course, this rang BS to me because I've been here for years but if I were to bring this up to my bosses (that the co-teachers didn't like me so they were trying to ruin my employment), I'd be accused of being paranoid, of not understanding Korean culture, etc. and then the entire blame would be placed squarely on me. This is the approach they all take. I think I actually bought into a bit more because of the atmosphere of professionalism and "teacher development" but at the end of the day...

Oh well. I'm not perfect. I did make mistakes here. I've discovered that I don't get on too well in tight quarters with other people where politics comes well before teaching ability. I'm going to kiss ass but not get bent out of shape and if they fire me, they fire me. I wish I could throw the name of my hagwon up but I know that isn't cool in Korea...

If I know I'm going to get fired I'll put in my month's notice and stay in Korea. I have several things keeping me here (a girl and student loans). The next job I get will be one where I can work independently and not have to deal with all these politics.

[eggieguffer]

This is one of the reasons why formal teaching qualifications are important, so you both have a reference point for how to do things properly. Otherwise it's just the blind leading or in this case, slagging off the blind.

[aalbo]

Thats too bad that you are experiencing this at a Hogwan...I am starting in a public school on Monday and hope not to experience what you have.  I understand that sometimes things cant always be great and things do go wrong, but if u feel u are going a good job at teaching and the kids leave your classroom having learned something new then thats all that matters.  Hearing people talk negative about you must be a horrible feeling, but dont sweat it, shake it off and know that u are doing the best job u can.  If the kids are happy and learning something than thats the best that can happen.  Hope things get better for u!

[MissC]

It must be the nature of hagwons, as profit-based-institutions, to turn people catty. The bosses are under pressure to make money, and so the employees are under pressure to make the bosses happy.

If you're really dedicated to staying in Korea, maybe re-consider public school? I was the mind-numbing tape recorder last semester, but since I switched to middle school I've had complete control of my classes. I don't answer to anyone.

Maybe ask around and see if anyone near you has a public school job like mine. If they're leaving when your hagwon contract ends, you can probably arrange to replace them. If you deal directly with the school, you might be able to avoid all the EPIK orientation trouble.

[ovid]

Being a teacher is hard, tough work.

You get the brunt of all the faults, and very often little of the recognition.  It's one of the least rewarding jobs from a economical and personal point.  Very often, people will cut you down instead of complimenting you.  Thus, more often than not... most teachers will be humbled and not see themselves in the bright light the way other professions do (you do well as a lawyer, you get more money... you do well as a teacher, you might see a kid or several light up when they figure something out).

I had a similar issue last year, too... and I asked myself if I was a good teacher.  A lot of the advice was utter crap.... asking me to re-evaluate myself, copy what other teachers were doing, figure if you were teaching the way you should be, show a sample of my work.  Yet, not a single person would push for what I was doing right.  Soon I ended up fixing my lessons so I did everything "right", but lost who I was in the process.  I was miserable each day.. until I realized something important...

Teachers are human!  Think about your past teachers?  Did they do anything phenomenal each class?  No, but they inspired me... something that just can't be taught or learned.  It was just a piece of their personality engrained in their lessons.  Yes, there are inspirational teachers as well as motivational ones, there are ones who are 100% by the book, and there are ones who go off the beaten track to get you to think instead of memorizing something.   

What I'm really saying is.. don't lose confidence.  You're there... you are inspiring students, you really care about feedback.  You are listening to what others say and you are adjusting your lessons accordingly.  Kids are in line with your class.  You are working above and beyond what is required.   Regardless of what surveys or anything else might say, you're a great teacher... but you're working at a private school, where they will scrutinize you for every mistake you make, regardless of how arbitrary it very likely is.

And yes, there are teachers who spend little or no prep time.  Go to class, do some jokes and get the kids all motivated.   Not everyone can and some people do better following their own path.  Listen to what feels right for you and follow it... maybe your school won't appreciate it, but it doesn't mean you're a bad teacher.  There are a few bad teachers in the bunch, but there are also tons more who are unsung heroes.

[incognito84]

Being a teacher is hard, tough work.

You get the brunt of all the faults, and very often little of the recognition.  It's one of the least rewarding jobs from a economical and personal point.  Very often, people will cut you down instead of complimenting you.  Thus, more often than not... most teachers will be humbled and not see themselves in the bright light the way other professions do (you do well as a lawyer, you get more money... you do well as a teacher, you might see a kid or several light up when they figure something out).

I had a similar issue last year, too... and I asked myself if I was a good teacher.  A lot of the advice was utter crap.... asking me to re-evaluate myself, copy what other teachers were doing, figure if you were teaching the way you should be, show a sample of my work.  Yet, not a single person would push for what I was doing right.  Soon I ended up fixing my lessons so I did everything "right", but lost who I was in the process.  I was miserable each day.. until I realized something important...

Teachers are human!  Think about your past teachers?  Did they do anything phenomenal each class?  No, but they inspired me... something that just can't be taught or learned.  It was just a piece of their personality engrained in their lessons.  Yes, there are inspirational teachers as well as motivational ones, there are ones who are 100% by the book, and there are ones who go off the beaten track to get you to think instead of memorizing something.   

What I'm really saying is.. don't lose confidence.  You're there... you are inspiring students, you really care about feedback.  You are listening to what others say and you are adjusting your lessons accordingly.  Kids are in line with your class.  You are working above and beyond what is required.   Regardless of what surveys or anything else might say, you're a great teacher... but you're working at a private school, where they will scrutinize you for every mistake you make, regardless of how arbitrary it very likely is.

And yes, there are teachers who spend little or no prep time.  Go to class, do some jokes and get the kids all motivated.   Not everyone can and some people do better following their own path.  Listen to what feels right for you and follow it... maybe your school won't appreciate it, but it doesn't mean you're a bad teacher.  There are a few bad teachers in the bunch, but there are also tons more who are unsung heroes.

Thanks for that. It certainly made me feel better. When everyone is against you, you feel that you must be in the wrong because you're in such a minority... I've been reflecting on it a lot and while I might not be the most amazing teacher, I'm definitely not the worst and I don't think I deserve the crap stream that has been flowing my way.

We're doing class observations this week (the foreign teachers observe other foreign teachers). It's been extremely enlightening for me as I get to see how the "best teachers" teach (the foreign teachers that are widely accepted to be the best teachers). Basically, they entertain. The kids are laughing and the classes go over really well but often, there isn't a lesson plan or a single objective for the class beyond 'practice adverbs' or 'learn animal names.' The teachers who take the easy route are tolerated and even praised. The teachers who actually try to teach are shat on. It isn't outright stated but that's the skinny of it. A good hagwon teacher is a good babysitter, not a good teacher in the objective sense.

Everyone else is just entertaining the kids and playing games with them. One "best teacher" played the same freaking game in every single one of their classes (the game didn't even have a point). I do more prep for one of my classes than that teacher does for the whole day. I come in two hours before my shift starts to prep and they come in twenty minutes late. I divide my classes up into segments, like warm-up, textbook, activity and review and have something planned for each part. They print off a work sheet or think up a game and roll with it. The way I teach requires a lot of dedication and has a larger margin of error while having a much larger learning benefit for the kids. It's actual teaching. What they do is make classes that essentially teach themselves and have no real content whatsoever. 

It's annoying that a hagwon that prides itself so much on it's real teaching and tries to attract people who want to really teach simply rewards the people who keep the kids happiest. It's doubly annoying that they're so deluded as to think that the hagwon is superior or that it is 'real teaching' that separates our hagwons from other hagwons. It's a dog and pony show and the truth is that: A) if the kids are happy the enrolment stays high B) If the enrolment stays high the Korean teachers keep their quotas up and they don't complain about foreign teacher... A + B = Good Teacher!

It's become extremely apparent to me these past few days and I kind of feel like an idiot for taking it so seriously.

I think I'm going to get my distance MA then get a real job outside of the hagwon/PS business. I love teaching but I'm sick of all the BS that goes along with it...

[KevinfromSeattle]

I've taught for 10 years both Special Ed. and English.
It's not uncommon for a beginner to not know what
a good class is or not.  You need to learn how to teach
reading and find out where your students are at in
terms of: Decoding, Fluency, Vocabulary and Comprehension. 
And then teach each area specifically and then do synergistic
activities to blend the skills together. 

They are really only 3 things going on in a Korean classroom:
1) The national or school curricula, which isn't that good; 2) Global
EFL lessons that can be hit or miss; and 3) The diagnostic teaching
of reading which I alluded to above.   

Take care.  Kevinmarley7@yahoo.com

Kevin