The eviction result is known. As expected, Paul, who still texts me whenever he meets his 22 year old girlfriend, is saved. Of the other two, the news is good and bad. BFA Pete is to be evicted, but shockingly, Crazy Korean/American is saved. It seems that this place is sort of aware that some of the teachers here are inept. But to go the whole hog and get rid of the one who puts her English ability on full display via many many signs around the building, upon none of which is the English correct...well that would be going just too far.
BFA Pete didn't seem to be too affected by this at first. However, as the days went by he was losing it. Unfortunately there are another 4 kids camps to go before he leaves. In the latest kids camp a 12 year old found a blue ball he had hidden in a cupboard. The kid didn't realize he had done anything wrong, and thought BFA Pete was playing when he tried to grab it off him. So BFA pushed him up against the cupboards with force, and took the ball. The kid seemed a bit confused, not knowing if that was a joke or not. But BFA Pete was in a rage...and had to yell loudly to let out the energy that would otherwise have been aimed at another kid.
This happened just before an indoor football game the kids were about to play. Americans don't seem to know or care much about football, and this was demonstrated in BFA Pete's refereeing skills. It was, unlike the previous incident, hilarious. BFA Pete briefly explained rules that he didn't understand himself to the kids. There were about 8 on each team, and the room was small. He put girls in goal for the boys match, and boys in goal for the girls match. I don't know why. The players were not allowed into the goalkeepers area, but this had not been explained. So when half the team entered the keeper's area during a game the whistle was blown and BFA Pete decided to award a free kick..but at the other end of the pitch...to the wrong team. The funniest part was when the ball went above head height (not allowed), but before BFA Pete could blow the whistle, it went above head height again. So what did the ref do? Award 2 free kicks, one after the other. All free kicks incidentally were referred to as 'penalties'. Funny? I pi$%ed myself. I think I will miss this chap when he has gone. But then again, maybe I won't.
Attention Koreans - Don't make the foreign teachers 'ANGRY!'
On a Friday a meeting was called to discuss a series of 'complaints' that various foreign teachers here had documented. All of the complaints were aimed at the Korean management here. Apparently all foreign teachers agreed to the comments in the document, although nobody had asked me. After the meeting, the complaints were passed onto the management...and action was expected!
Here are some of the best bits copied and pasted straight from the document, The first ones are about communication between the Korean management and the foreign teachers here:
Direct vs. Indirect Communication
Examples:
- Koreans do not understand westerners in this area
- Koreans know what is expected by subtle hints by their supervisor
- Westerners do not have this cultural background
- Westerners are used to outlines, deadlines, details and direct communication, when this is not given, the person cannot do their job well and this will make them angry if they care about the quality of their work
Communication
1. Ignored Requests
Example:
- class numbers dropped at last minute, teachers not informed (3rd floor)
- requests made to Mr.Choi , ‘he does not listen’ meaning what was just said is ignored or the same thing happens again, this makes NT’s angry, the phrase ‘thank you for your cooperation’ is not for someone who is part of a team, but from a controller
- westerners do not like ‘fake’ phrases like this, it is insulting as it is not meaningful
- the same issue occurred with Mrs. Choi, numerous letters were written, no meeting
was held to discuss the complaints with the NT’s
2. Last Minute News
- last minute news shows disorganization
- in Korea, it is ok to change something at the last minute, this happens rarely in western cultures and will make the teachers angry and lowers the respect of the employees toward an Institution
- discuss decisions BEFORE implementation that affect NT’s
- when NT’s are told something at the last minute, the feeling is they are not part of the team, the KT’s want harmony and teamwork, but this is a big factor why this is not happening
4. How NT’s respect management
- education, age or wealth does not earn respect in a western organization
- managers must show they know their job well and if not, work with their ‘co-workers’ not ‘employees’ to find out how to solve a problem together
- NT’s respect managers who a nice, contribute well to the team and see themselves as part of the group not a controlling leader
- Managers have the duty to control the group, but not all the time, and only when very important issues come up
No Details
Examples:
- tasks such as ‘you call we go” , online teaching, the training programs in the beginning stages – very little information was given – if we do not ask, we are not told
- this will make NT’s angry because 1. it is not professional for a manager to present something without thinking about everything about it first 2. NT’s cannot do a good job without details 3. Failure is more likely to happen
Repetitive Work that is too easy
- NT’s will not be satisfied in their jobs if they are not learning
- This will cause people to leave their contract or not renew their contract
'New Teachers will solve the problem'
- these issues are a management problem, as all of the teachers have gone down hill attitude wise since working here. (No sh%t Sherlock. Maybe cause they are all incompetent fools but don't realize it...and so have travelled several miles up their own arses??)
Clear Expectations from the beginning that do not change
- there is no excuse for not having expectations, even for a new institute
- this is not baby treatment, this is letting people know, and they only need to be informed one time
Class Oberservations
- teachers need structure and feedback
- it is rude to watch a class and not say anything (mainly because the teachers don't want the management to see their lesson...as it is probably shite)
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Thursday, 1 November 2007
Killing Time, 'You Call We Go', putting on womens clothes
During times when there are no kids camps sceduled, us foreign 'teachers' have quite an easy time of it. There are the school visits (travelling freak shows), but there are usually only 2 of those in a week, and we are only 'working' for about 3 hours. We get paid extra for this would you believe. So the other days, when there is nothing on, are spent doing whatever we want...as long as we come to work from 9am-6pm. Recently I and Paul have been playing corridor football - a great game with a sponge football. The corridors here are very long, and the aim is to try and blast the ball beyond the other person. It is fun, but frustrating that I cannot beat someone who is both shorter and wider than me, and who is from Canada which is not renowned for it's football. Paul also gloats endlessly. He knows that, although to many people, this silly game with a sponge ball may not seem important such is the tedium of working only with incompetant muppets, this has become the highlight of the week for both of us. It's a great energy release, without which there may be violence towards certain muppets ...and their gramatically incorrect signs that are everywhere. I have never beaten Paul, so I guess his frustration must be greater than mine.
'You Call We Go'
To fill up a free day, the management here had a fantastic idea. A new service for any of the teachers who had participated in the elementary or secondary school training programs was set up. It is called 'You Call, We Go'. This catchy title was to imply that if any teacher who had been trained by us was having a problem implementing some of the great ideas taught by the muppets into their lessons in their own school, then they could call us for help. We would then jump into the bus and dash to their school to observe one of their lessons, then provide helpful feedback - and so solve the problem. It's kind of like Superman helping people in need. At least, that's how it is intended to be seen. Actually the teacher who requests our assisstance needs to tell us 3 weeks in advance, and send us his/her lesson plan. The teacher will also get given points which can enhance his/her career prospects in the future...so it's not so much a cry for help, but more a chance for a one lucky teacher to stage a well rehersed demonstraion lesson to help them get a pay rise.
So...we did receive that call. A teacher was in desperate need of our assistance. Two weeks later, we were called to a meeting for a briefing before rushing off the following week to wherever we were told to go. All I could think was...I hope we are not too damn late.
In the meeting, we were told that one of the elementary school teachers wants us to observe her lesson and we were given her lesson plan. We would oberve the lesson, then give our opinions on the lesson. We were also told that each of us (5) would have to give a lecture to lots of other Korean teacher trainees who had been invited to attend. Our lectures were to be a staggering 10 minutes long, and could be about...anything we liked. Crazy Koean/American said she thought it would be fun, and planned to talk about her life in Hollywood. BFA Pete said he would talk about his time on Broadway. Ellena said she would talk about bunny rabbits and other cute things with fur. Jerrald said he would talk about 'some things'. He wouldn't say what, as he wanted it to be a surprise. Others tried to guess, and agreed that it was probably going to be about spaceships. Jerrald looked annoyed - I think they had guessed. But then came the devestating news that the lectures should be related to teaching...and be relevant to the trainees who would be there. Suddenly there was silence. BFA Pete was the first to speak, and asked what the word 'relevant' meant. Jerrald then asked if he could talk about his uncle, who he is related to, and is a teacher. He was told 'no'. Crazy Korean/USA girl then said she would rather talk about Hollywood, as it is more interesting than teaching...which is a boring topic. The supervisor in charge then explained that as they are all teachers themsleves, they should be able to think of suitable topics to talk about for 10 minutes...related to teaching. Jerrald then suddenly spoke out, happily repeating that his uncle is realated to him, but seemingly forgetting this idea had just been rejected two minutes earlier. There followed silence, open mouths, and blank expressions. I then asked the supervisor who is it we are going to observe. Out of the 71 trainees that we had taught in the summer, only one had asked for our 'help'. And who was this?? The Girl Who Was Once Nice...who hasnt spoken to me for weeks and who hates my guts. I joined the others by opening my mouth and staring into thin air, expressionless. 71 people...why her?
The day arrived sooner than I wanted, and although I had prayed to be ill, I wasn't. As this is all I have asked Him for, I think He (God) doesnt exist, or does but is a bastrd. When we arrived The Girl Who Was Once Nice was greeting everyone. But when I got nearer to the door she went away. We observed her lesson. It was well planned and the kids seemed to know everything and do exactly as they were told. It was the perfect lesson, and I guess had been practised many times. Former Nice Girl didn't look at me once. I guess she might not have been feeling very comfortable with me observing her...but I wasnt exactly comfortable either. After the lesson came the feedback. I was asked to comment, and said some nice words about her teaching. She just looked down and nodded. Then I was asked to give some 'constructive critisism'. So I said that asking the question 'Do you understand?' to a class of 30 kids (as she had done) is pretty pointless, as they all say 'yes'...but many probably don't. I suggested a better way to check understanding. Former Nice Girl did not look at all happy... and I thought maybe I shouldn't have said anything. But it was too late. Oh well...it's not like we will ever have to meet again. After that came the lectures. BFA Pete talked about jigsaw puzzles, Jerrald talked about using Excel spreadsheets to write a diary, Ellena talked about schools in Canada, and I can't remember what Crazy K/A talked about. I talked about puppies. When we left The Girl Who Was Once Nice took great care to stay well away from me, and didn't even make eye contact. I'm pretty sure she doesn't like me.
The other day where we actually had to do something was on Wednesday, when we all got on the bus to go to another poor school somewhere in the countryside.
This one I was not looking forward to, as the Korean teacher who usually plays one of the ugly sisters was in Nepal half way up mount Everest. Ths boss therefore asked me to stand in. In fact, the boss was too scared to ask me, so got Ellena to ask instead. I said no, but it turned out that it wasn't really a question. In the end Ellena said I have to do it cause the boss said so. The only other person who could do it was BFA Pete, but the thought of a 63 year old balding American in a dress made me agree to do it. Sometimes I have to put the kids first, and there is no knowing what that could do to kids so early in their lives. I was annoyed because I swore that I would never dress up as a woman and make a fool of myself in this ridiculous Smellarella performance. I trid one last attempt to get out of it by saying I couldn't rememeber my lines. But someone pointed out that I don't really have any lines, I am just there so the kids laugh at me.
I looked ok, with ample bosom provided by two medium sized balloons, and nice long hair. I refused to take my trousers off, but did roll them up to my knees. I was forced to wear lipstick and blusher, but did look pretty damn gorgeous before I went on stage. I managed to convince everyone I was really not happy about this situation, and avoided the photographer...so there is no photographic record of this. As it happens, the performance was played out to another stunned audience who made far less noise than the foreigners on the stage...as usual.
'You Call We Go'
To fill up a free day, the management here had a fantastic idea. A new service for any of the teachers who had participated in the elementary or secondary school training programs was set up. It is called 'You Call, We Go'. This catchy title was to imply that if any teacher who had been trained by us was having a problem implementing some of the great ideas taught by the muppets into their lessons in their own school, then they could call us for help. We would then jump into the bus and dash to their school to observe one of their lessons, then provide helpful feedback - and so solve the problem. It's kind of like Superman helping people in need. At least, that's how it is intended to be seen. Actually the teacher who requests our assisstance needs to tell us 3 weeks in advance, and send us his/her lesson plan. The teacher will also get given points which can enhance his/her career prospects in the future...so it's not so much a cry for help, but more a chance for a one lucky teacher to stage a well rehersed demonstraion lesson to help them get a pay rise.
So...we did receive that call. A teacher was in desperate need of our assistance. Two weeks later, we were called to a meeting for a briefing before rushing off the following week to wherever we were told to go. All I could think was...I hope we are not too damn late.
In the meeting, we were told that one of the elementary school teachers wants us to observe her lesson and we were given her lesson plan. We would oberve the lesson, then give our opinions on the lesson. We were also told that each of us (5) would have to give a lecture to lots of other Korean teacher trainees who had been invited to attend. Our lectures were to be a staggering 10 minutes long, and could be about...anything we liked. Crazy Koean/American said she thought it would be fun, and planned to talk about her life in Hollywood. BFA Pete said he would talk about his time on Broadway. Ellena said she would talk about bunny rabbits and other cute things with fur. Jerrald said he would talk about 'some things'. He wouldn't say what, as he wanted it to be a surprise. Others tried to guess, and agreed that it was probably going to be about spaceships. Jerrald looked annoyed - I think they had guessed. But then came the devestating news that the lectures should be related to teaching...and be relevant to the trainees who would be there. Suddenly there was silence. BFA Pete was the first to speak, and asked what the word 'relevant' meant. Jerrald then asked if he could talk about his uncle, who he is related to, and is a teacher. He was told 'no'. Crazy Korean/USA girl then said she would rather talk about Hollywood, as it is more interesting than teaching...which is a boring topic. The supervisor in charge then explained that as they are all teachers themsleves, they should be able to think of suitable topics to talk about for 10 minutes...related to teaching. Jerrald then suddenly spoke out, happily repeating that his uncle is realated to him, but seemingly forgetting this idea had just been rejected two minutes earlier. There followed silence, open mouths, and blank expressions. I then asked the supervisor who is it we are going to observe. Out of the 71 trainees that we had taught in the summer, only one had asked for our 'help'. And who was this?? The Girl Who Was Once Nice...who hasnt spoken to me for weeks and who hates my guts. I joined the others by opening my mouth and staring into thin air, expressionless. 71 people...why her?
The day arrived sooner than I wanted, and although I had prayed to be ill, I wasn't. As this is all I have asked Him for, I think He (God) doesnt exist, or does but is a bastrd. When we arrived The Girl Who Was Once Nice was greeting everyone. But when I got nearer to the door she went away. We observed her lesson. It was well planned and the kids seemed to know everything and do exactly as they were told. It was the perfect lesson, and I guess had been practised many times. Former Nice Girl didn't look at me once. I guess she might not have been feeling very comfortable with me observing her...but I wasnt exactly comfortable either. After the lesson came the feedback. I was asked to comment, and said some nice words about her teaching. She just looked down and nodded. Then I was asked to give some 'constructive critisism'. So I said that asking the question 'Do you understand?' to a class of 30 kids (as she had done) is pretty pointless, as they all say 'yes'...but many probably don't. I suggested a better way to check understanding. Former Nice Girl did not look at all happy... and I thought maybe I shouldn't have said anything. But it was too late. Oh well...it's not like we will ever have to meet again. After that came the lectures. BFA Pete talked about jigsaw puzzles, Jerrald talked about using Excel spreadsheets to write a diary, Ellena talked about schools in Canada, and I can't remember what Crazy K/A talked about. I talked about puppies. When we left The Girl Who Was Once Nice took great care to stay well away from me, and didn't even make eye contact. I'm pretty sure she doesn't like me.
The other day where we actually had to do something was on Wednesday, when we all got on the bus to go to another poor school somewhere in the countryside.
This one I was not looking forward to, as the Korean teacher who usually plays one of the ugly sisters was in Nepal half way up mount Everest. Ths boss therefore asked me to stand in. In fact, the boss was too scared to ask me, so got Ellena to ask instead. I said no, but it turned out that it wasn't really a question. In the end Ellena said I have to do it cause the boss said so. The only other person who could do it was BFA Pete, but the thought of a 63 year old balding American in a dress made me agree to do it. Sometimes I have to put the kids first, and there is no knowing what that could do to kids so early in their lives. I was annoyed because I swore that I would never dress up as a woman and make a fool of myself in this ridiculous Smellarella performance. I trid one last attempt to get out of it by saying I couldn't rememeber my lines. But someone pointed out that I don't really have any lines, I am just there so the kids laugh at me.
I looked ok, with ample bosom provided by two medium sized balloons, and nice long hair. I refused to take my trousers off, but did roll them up to my knees. I was forced to wear lipstick and blusher, but did look pretty damn gorgeous before I went on stage. I managed to convince everyone I was really not happy about this situation, and avoided the photographer...so there is no photographic record of this. As it happens, the performance was played out to another stunned audience who made far less noise than the foreigners on the stage...as usual.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)