Three teacher training tips that work

Ask the expat



I recently became the head teacher at my school and now have to train all the new teachers. The problem is that I`m not too sure how to do it. Do you have any quick advice for me?



Proper training can make or break a school and a proper welcome to Korea can make it or break it for a new teacher. And since you`re the new head teacher, your ability to train properly can make or break you. Unfortunately, much more of this success has to do with them rather than you, but there are a few things that you can do to ensure you`ll have a decent team of teachers.



Expectations game



Clearly laying out what is and isn`t expected of the teacher is very important. I`m not talking about contractual expectations like being on time or dress code, but more about what a teacher can expect to happen when he gets in the class. They need to understand what the directors, parents and students want from their teacher. Sure, solid English education is paramount, however there are other hidden expectations that students want. For example, if you teach adults then you need to know that teaching your own life and telling your own stories is not acceptable if unsolicited.

I also let them know some of the stereotypes that exist of English teachers. If you present it in a constructive way, then they shouldn`t harbor any anger against Koreans. Sometimes you have a new teacher who has never been out of their country before and you can tell they are a little hot-headed. I like to take them down a notch. It was good for me as well.

Discussing weekend conquests and boozing is off-limits. It seems pretty clear, but I can guarantee that those of you how are also managers have had to discuss this issue again and again with staff. The student-teacher relationship is held to a higher standard in Korea, so treat it as such.

If you happen to teach kids, then you`ve got to play to the parents expectations, which, in many cases, are to be an entertaining and educating figure that pays extra close attention "their" student. Sounds impossible, right? Not if you`re good at controlling perception.



Attainable goals



Students don`t actually know their goals. Kids are sent into class to learn English so they can do well on tests. You shouldn`t care about that. Adults enroll so they can become "fluent" or communicate with international clients. You shouldn`t care about those, either. Those goals are not real goals when it comes to language education. Fluency is a dream that might be reached, but when you set the bar that high, you`re certain to fail.

Teachers need to set goals for their students. Learning a language is a slow and grueling process and taking on too much at once is a mistake. Set an attainable goal for students (like mastering past and future tense for kids; or having a flawless conference call for adults). Remember, Koreans see a lot of value in completing educational tasks and reaching preset goals. Once they hit that goal, reward them.



Don`t over-train



Those of us who have been in the industry or in Korea for a while have the tendency to overload newcomers with information. I do it all the time and have learned that it stresses people out and makes them feel like they`re too far behind to even have a shot at success. As we all know by now, technical training for teachers is less about training and more about trial-by-error. So, have them observe a few classes, talk to a few teachers and write a few lesson plans. They`ll get the hang of it soon.

In the end, I think it`s about the circle of friends they begin with. I came in at a kid`s hagwon and met some great people. Many of them are still here today. They set the tone for me. They were typically upbeat about Korea, so that made its way to me. My biggest concern is that teachers arrive in Korea and find themselves in a small hagwon with few or no other foreign teachers. That can lead to isolation real quick, which makes teachers unhappy which, of course, leads to poor performance.



For more of George R. Hogan`s writings, go to www.asktheexpat.blogspot.com -- Ed.



By George R. Hogan