I am a different teacher here in Korea than I was 10 years ago in Japan. I didn't necessarily set out to change my teaching style, nor was I initially aware of any changes in my approach to teaching. But after one month of in-class teaching, I realize that I've changed as a teacher. This may be the natural result of maturing over the years or unconsciously applying the lessons I learned in Japan to my tenure in Korea.
In Japan, even though I didn't have any experience or proper training, I had a firm belief that I was a "teacher" and was deserving of the respect afforded to teachers in that country. I came about that perspective naturally enough. It was part of the training and orientation in Japan. Teachers are held in high esteem in Japanese society. Students will call you Sensei. You need to behave as a Sensei in the community. Without really examining it, I took that to heart.
At my Japanese schools, there was some respect for me as a teacher, and many students were wonderful. But also, there were students who were very disrespectful, and even actively hostile. Some students made fun of my weight and others sneered at me. I think a dislike for studying and speaking English translated to antagonism for the teacher, in some cases. Many students were eager and playful, but I rarely received the respect of a real teacher. It's understandable. I couldn't speak Japanese well. My responsibilities in the classroom were limited. I was often a classroom assistant.
On top of everything, Japanese students completely and incessantly invaded my personal space by grabbing me and poking my body. This was infuriating. I wanted to be respected as a teacher but wasn't even worthy of basic human respect. I rarely showed it, but this made me really angry. I still feel that grabbing and poking was a violation, but it was more often the students just trying to have fun and wasn't outside of their normal behaviour. There were a few times, and a few students, who did this maliciously, and it still burns to this day.
In the classroom, even though I wasn't a proper teacher, I firmly believed that students weren't allowed to ignore me. I'm not sure why I had this perspective, but I guess it came from wanting to be respected as a teacher. If students ignored my direct question by putting down their head or looking away, I wouldn't let that stand. I wasted so much time trying to get the student to respond and wouldn't move on until they did. It was a matter of respect and principle. Instead, I should have been more attentive to the comprehension level of the students and more sensitive to their desire not to make a mistake or be singled out in front of their peers.
In Korea, I have more responsibilities as a teacher. I fully run the lessons and do all of the preparations. The Korean teacher in the classroom basically helps translates and assists with classroom discipline. I am a real teacher - minus some of the administrative responsibilities, but I am more laid back about the whole "respect thing".
I'm more interested in having the lesson flow well than forcing students to participate. I may call on students to answer a question, but if they say "I don't know" then there's no problem, I just move on. If they pause for too long, I ask if they want to "pass". If they pass, fair enough. I'm happy moving onto someone else or just answering the question myself because I get to keep the flow of the lesson and maintain the energy level in the classroom.
During my first lesson with each class in Korea, I outlined some rules for the classroom. One rule was that they should try to speak English, but mistakes were okay. Also, students should be kind to each other, and it's okay to help their classmates during English class.
I certainly feel more respected by the students because they respect me as a human being first. They have yet to grab or poke me or do anything overtly disrespectful. The worst so far has been students shouting the wrong things in class when I'm looking for an answer. They might shout "I love you", trying to be funny. I find myself laughing more in class these days.
All in all, I am much busier and have more teaching responsibilities, but I am less concerned about being treated as a "teacher". The students are good kids and I enjoy spending time with them. I have a job to do and I'm having fun doing it. That's all that matters right now.
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