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Staffroom Dynamics
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Working every day in a staffroom that includes both Korean speakers of English and foreign teachers can be extremely confusing for everybody at times.
The one massive benefit that all the Korean teachers have is that they can understand the general chatter of the children and also the parents etc. On the other hand sometimes this can be a lovely feeling to not understand the general chatter of the children so that you can forget them and not worry about picking up strings of conversation. What you don?t know won?t hurt you kind of feeling.
Be aware that many of the following things will most likely happen during your time in the school environment so be prepared for them and don?t suddenly feel hurt or that you necessarily did something wrong to make it happen.
- The secret you shared with the Korean teacher somehow got to the directors attention.
Lesson: Don?t ever tell information you want secret to anyone in the workplace.
- The parent who complained was told the foreign teacher ?did it?.
Lesson: Know it is easier to pass the blame to the foreign teacher than to accept it, and the parent is less likely to complain further against the foreign teacher.
- The special toy, sheet, resource you left on your desk goes missing.
Lesson: Isn?t it easier to have it made or prepared by someone else? Namely you.
- You find all your crayons etc. seem to be dwindling from your teachers bin.
Lesson: If another teacher can?t find any they will most likely take the closest they can find, especially if there are no names on them! Warning: name everything in big black letters!
- You hear the Korean teachers closely talking and you suspect they are talking about you.
Lesson: they are most likely talking about a new cosmetic (don?t assume anything). Korean teachers usually don?t take the time to actively plot or plan in groups behind your back.
- You find the tape recorder missing when you need it.
Lesson: You get it and hide it away first. First in first served isn?t it. Similar to getting in the subway train at rush hours.
- You find a little bottle of drink or a watermelon on your desk.
Lesson: A parent gave a gift to the school and you have just been allocated your share.
- You find a surprise birthday cake brought in complete with special candles.
Lesson: Generally Koreans are very caring and generous on special days like birthdays.
- You see the Korean staff totally indulging the students with candies and rewards.
Lesson: Do you want to get classroom discipline by respect and good teaching or by bribery and candy?
- You find that the Korean teacher has complained to the Director you are not doing the right thing in the textbook.
Lesson: No matter how you seem to pace yourself you might not manage pure professional appreciation with your teaching associates.
- You find you have all the stroppy kids in your class
Lesson: You are the highly paid foreign teacher and are paid to do this, so here are the children for you to teach!
I could go into many other ?Staffroom scenarios? but think it is best you learn a few more yourself.
My final very serious piece of advice is the issue of privacy.
If you don?t want something known, then don't tell anybody in the school district, even after you think you can trust them. In Korea if a boss directly asks a Korean staff member to tell him something he will tell the truth to the boss. Don?t think he will lie for you or cover up about your private tuition classes you confided to him about.
Design & development by Karere. |
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Korean kids
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