After a year and a half at my school, they've finally killed my will to teach

[#basedcowboyshirt]

Okay - it's not quite as bad as the melodramatic title reads, however, as people are wont to do on Waygook when they are frustrated, I'm going to vent, briefly.

Today's my first day back at classes. Several things have happened since being back at work on March 2nd.

1. I returned to find my desk moved (as expected and as usual) and all of my belongings, lessons, printouts, etc. missing (unexpected). These were never found. Thus, I lost a year and a half's accumulation of immaculately organized lesson plans, handouts, coffee mugs, staplers, gifts from students, photos of family, etc. Disappointing.

2. The person officially in charge of me at my school isn't an English teacher and doesn't speak English. Now, I have no head co-teacher, nor person whom to ask for documents, directions, advice, or whatever.

3. The new classrooms do not have computers in them, nor do they have TVs which I can connect my laptop to. This is frustrating, and makes teaching more difficult, but also totally manageable if not for the fact that:

4. My school has decided that I am not allowed to use the textbook as a basis for lessons in the classroom, which itself would be totally manageable, too, if not for the further fact that:

5. Three of my five co-teachers have decided that I will 'direct the class on my own with no assistance (because it is better for school image).' That latter bit in parentheses is obvious subtext. I just taught my first two classes of the semester with no co-teacher present whatsoever. Didn't even come to class and leave. Just didn't come.

I've been at this school for a year and a half, and I can't even understand how it gets worse every term. Seriously. Attempting to teach high school classes of 40 boys with no textbook, co-teacher, or computer is ludicrous. I'm physically and mentally dreading my next class. Not something that puts you in the teaching mood, really.

[hilarity ensues]

Sounds like it's time to buy your own textbook and make some copies. I do this often.

I think it's still possible to teach if you give them lots of projects and have the materials/resources to let them be 'creative'. You could also do debates... but I agree that no computer/TV is pretty harsh-- they must be on the way, though, right?

There are the lessons on this site... it does suck, but it's not unworkable... usually schools have old books lying around and you could always look into those.

If you google 'middle school debate topics' you can usually find a list of topics and choose the ones that aren't culture-specific... not having a book could actually work in your favor. If I were you I would definitely start doing long-term projects where they have the whole month to finish and then work with them in class.

[Jrong]

Wow man. How much are they paying you for that (including extra afterschool classes)? I guess since you signed for another year you can't really leave until the year's up but I'm wondering if it's really worth it to stay. I 'm starting an Afterschool program in a couple months and from what I've heard (from co-workers) it's amazing compared to the basic PS job...

[#basedcowboyshirt]

I do those with my afterschool classes and camps, and they're fantastic. However, I see those students much more frequently than I do my regular classes, which are just once a week.

In my experience, trying to do long-term projects with large classes of low level students simply doesn't work at all. I wouldn't shoot down your idea, but I've already tried it.

And also, as I mentioned in a lot of my previous threads over the past year, only senior teachers are allowed to make large numbers of handout copies. Junior teachers such as myself aren't allowed to make that many copies.

[ToulouseLautrec]

If they actively make teaching more difficult for you, is it fair to assume they'll accept lower quality results? Because that's what they should expect, and not blame you.

I wouldn't even bother trying at that point.

May be your will to teach can sleep for a year, and reawaken at a school that appreciates your efforts.

[Jeff619]

That really sucks.  I would think the best thing you can do is raise your concerns with your superiors.  I know a lot of people will disagree, but I've found using a direct approach and being firm with your employers here will not actually cause you to be the outcast at your school or give you a bad reputation.  Just point out that the contract states you are to teach with a co-teacher, etc.  I know every school is different and maybe you'll catch some slack but that's what's worked for me and I have always had a great reputation and relationship at all of the schools I've taught at.  Besides, would being the outcast be worse than your current situation?

[hilarity ensues]

In my experience, trying to do long-term projects with large classes of low level students simply doesn't work at all. I wouldn't shoot down your idea, but I've already tried it.

At the risk of sounding like I don't care about my job (which is debatable), sometimes the point is not to teach, but to defer responsibility.

[Squire]

Urgh... sounds pretty bad. Kick up a stink about it. Maybe even make demands with a veiled threat of leaving if they aren't met.

[syd wegoda]

Sounds like you've got it tough. Try and see the positive side of it as you will learn a lot from the experience.  If you leave Korea to teach in other countries then you may find that other schools or workplaces don't have computers or tvs - especially if you work freelance. You can still make the lesson fun and interesting without relying on a computer . I know it can be hard to think of new ideas for lessons but it will help build teaching knowledge for working in the future.
If you need a textbook as a basis to work from then I would go to Shinsegae as they have loads of English teaching books you can use. After this year, hopefully teaching in the future will seem a lot easier

[#basedcowboyshirt]

Sounds like you've got it tough. Try and see the positive side of it as you will learn a lot from the experience.  If you leave Korea to teach in other countries then you may find that other schools or workplaces don't have computers or tvs - especially if you work freelance. You can still make the lesson fun and interesting without relying on a computer . I know it can be hard to think of new ideas for lessons but it will help build teaching knowledge for working in the future.
If you need a textbook as a basis to work from then I would go to Shinsegae as they have loads of English teaching books you can use. After this year, hopefully teaching in the future will seem a lot easier

I should explain -

My first year here I had no access to a computer in the classrooms, but I did have coteachers that came to class and actively helped me teach. This was wonderful.

I've also taught three camps without the use of computers because there weren't any in that particular classroom. Those were, however, small, dedicated, and motivated classes.

Teaching without a computer isn't a problem when my class is either a) a manageable size or b) I have a coteacher to help the students understand what I'm saying.

And as for buying a textbook to use, I've got tons of textbooks from Kyobo that I've used for afterschool classes and camps, but as I said, I'm not allowed to make large volumes of handout copies, and writing out textbook pages on the board isn't effective or efficient for me or the students.

[eggplant_tyrant]

And also, as I mentioned in a lot of my previous threads over the past year, only senior teachers are allowed to make large numbers of handout copies. Junior teachers such as myself aren't allowed to make that many copies.

This blows my mind. No computer? Okay, everything's on the board/in books. No book? Okay, buy your own and make copies. Wait, you're not allowed to make copies... So basically your school is telling you that you are to teach a class to 40 high school boys where you will (presumably) have no grading power, no co-teacher, and no supplies other than a board and what the students deign to bring to class. No way, no how is any learning going to get done in that sort of environment. I mean, it could if this were actually a third world country where students are used to working with nothing, but this is Korea, where students are trained to give their attention to the test, the screen, the book, the teacher -- in that order.

You NEED to talk to someone about this. Be polite, but persistent. AT LEAST secure photocopying powers... or else check out, and have your class essentially be study hall. Tell students to bring their hagwon homework, and you'll help them with it.

[kps1]

If you don't have a co-teacher you shouldn't be teaching, check out your contract.

[woman-king]

If you don't have a co-teacher you shouldn't be teaching, check out your contract.

Yeah, I feel like this might be the easiest thing to negotiate on because you can do the whole "I just want to stick to the contract" thing.

Other than that, damn.  I certainly, at the very least, wouldn't renew with them (after 2 years at a PS here, you should be able to swing something pretty decent) and I'd make sure they know you A) Weren't impressed with their laziness and B) You won't be recommending them as a place of employment to your fellow Waygs.

[kps1]

If you don't have a co-teacher you shouldn't be teaching, check out your contract.

Yeah, I feel like this might be the easiest thing to negotiate on because you can do the whole "I just want to stick to the contract" thing.

Other than that, damn.  I certainly, at the very least, wouldn't renew with them (after 2 years at a PS here, you should be able to swing something pretty decent) and I'd make sure they know you A) Weren't impressed with their laziness and B) You won't be recommending them as a place of employment to your fellow Waygs.

I'm not sure either of those would matter since you don't get to choose what school you go to in EPIK/GEPIK. I think not letting them know that you think they are lazy and terrible is a better route to take if you want to transfer schools, since they will be rating your performance at the end of the year. Sounds crappy, but you're better off that way if you want to keep teaching public.

[madison79]

If you don't have a co-teacher you shouldn't be teaching, check out your contract.

I taught for 3 years with no coteacher with EPIK on Jeju.  Finally, they found those contracts illegal and rewrote it for those jobs. 

[#basedcowboyshirt]

Two things I should add:

Not all my coteachers are awful. I have one who is an absolute dream to teach with and I'm genuinely sad when classes are over with her. She actively participates in the class, is never late, she talks to me, she talks to students, she and I are a fantastic team, and I notice the most improvement over the course of each semester in our classes when it comes to speaking ability.  And her students always start low and show huge improvements on their exam grades, too. She's phenomenal.

Also, the 'stick to my contract' thing doesn't work for me. Despite the academic failings of my school's teaching plan for me, they do give me extra days off and never make me deskwarm. These things are appreciated, but they don't cancel out the absolutely ridiculous plans they have in terms of how I should teach.

Also, after teaching for two years here, I have no idea what I could move onto here. I only have a BA and a 120 hour TEFL, so that rules out most jobs.

[minamteacher]

And also, as I mentioned in a lot of my previous threads over the past year, only senior teachers are allowed to make large numbers of handout copies. Junior teachers such as myself aren't allowed to make that many copies.

This blows my mind. No computer? Okay, everything's on the board/in books. No book? Okay, buy your own and make copies. Wait, you're not allowed to make copies... So basically your school is telling you that you are to teach a class to 40 high school boys where you will (presumably) have no grading power, no co-teacher, and no supplies other than a board and what the students deign to bring to class. No way, no how is any learning going to get done in that sort of environment. I mean, it could if this were actually a third world country where students are used to working with nothing, but this is Korea, where students are trained to give their attention to the test, the screen, the book, the teacher -- in that order.

You NEED to talk to someone about this. Be polite, but persistent. AT LEAST secure photocopying powers... or else check out, and have your class essentially be study hall. Tell students to bring their hagwon homework, and you'll help them with it.

I couldn't have put it better myself. Your school is going out of it's way to make you an ineffective teacher. Something needs to change or this class will quickly get out of hand.

[dmhr25]

I hate to suggest this, but as your school seems particularly ridiculous, I'll throw this out there. 

Have a friend make the copies of the book (the one you bought) at their school for you.

[woman-king]

Two things I should add:

Not all my coteachers are awful. I have one who is an absolute dream to teach with and I'm genuinely sad when classes are over with her. She actively participates in the class, is never late, she talks to me, she talks to students, she and I are a fantastic team, and I notice the most improvement over the course of each semester in our classes when it comes to speaking ability.  And her students always start low and show huge improvements on their exam grades, too. She's phenomenal.

Also, the 'stick to my contract' thing doesn't work for me. Despite the academic failings of my school's teaching plan for me, they do give me extra days off and never make me deskwarm. These things are appreciated, but they don't cancel out the absolutely ridiculous plans they have in terms of how I should teach.

Also, after teaching for two years here, I have no idea what I could move onto here. I only have a BA and a 120 hour TEFL, so that rules out most jobs.

Depends.  Those are the basic requirements for most jobs here (plus you've got experience).  Once you're actually living here (as opposed to applying online) you can network, and go interview in person, and you don't require incoming flight money...all are huge pluses.  ;) 

I have a friend with just a BA, TEFL, and two years of experience here who recently got a job teaching TEFL courses at a university in Seoul.  She got the interview through a friend after her hagwon closed down.  I know it's just one example, but being in the country does help, at least from what I've seen. 

I was also under the impression you could go through recruiters or apply directly to public schools at random each year, not that once you were employed by an EPIK/GEPIK school you had to go where ever EPIK or GEPIK decided they wanted you.  I haven't transferred from public to public though, so someone will know more than me.

ETA: In the meantime (realizing your issue isn't trying to find a new job right now!) I'd take Eggplant's idea of a study-hall-style class.  I'd probably put them into pairs or small groups and have them do lots of writing their own dialogues or do other simple games (telephone, Round Robin stories).  It sounds like you might have to foot the bill for some of your own materials though (do you get any free paper?)  If you have access to paper and markers or don't mind buying some, you can also have them make English posters and similar arts-based small group tasks.  Nothing too complex, but stuff that doesn't require you to try and entertain them all hour without any technological or co-teacher support.

[kps1]

Two things I should add:

Not all my coteachers are awful. I have one who is an absolute dream to teach with and I'm genuinely sad when classes are over with her. She actively participates in the class, is never late, she talks to me, she talks to students, she and I are a fantastic team, and I notice the most improvement over the course of each semester in our classes when it comes to speaking ability.  And her students always start low and show huge improvements on their exam grades, too. She's phenomenal.

Also, the 'stick to my contract' thing doesn't work for me. Despite the academic failings of my school's teaching plan for me, they do give me extra days off and never make me deskwarm. These things are appreciated, but they don't cancel out the absolutely ridiculous plans they have in terms of how I should teach.

Also, after teaching for two years here, I have no idea what I could move onto here. I only have a BA and a 120 hour TEFL, so that rules out most jobs.

I taught here for 2 years and I have a BA and no TEFL. Now, now I just work in an office. How'd I land a non-teaching gig you ask? No idea, I just applied for ENDLESS amounts of random jobs in Korea, got interviewed and got the job. As a teacher you get loads of downtime so theres no reason, outside of lesson planning, that you shouldn't apply for tons of different jobs starting after your contract ends.