Korean Job Discussion Forums

Captain Zoom · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Location: Tokyo

Hi folks,

I'm wondering about teaching adult classes in Korea. Most people on the board seem to teach children and I've heard that the adult jobs aren't that great (lower pay, inconvenient hours, harder to find, etc.). I know that there are universities, but are there decent jobs teaching adult classes in private schools (sort of similar to the way things work in Japan)?

Cheers,

Zoom.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

Take a look at the new FAQ page on the Q&A Forum and scroll down a bit... I've compiled a lot links that you might find useful...

Here's the list of links for teaching adults...

What about teaching Adults?

1. Are There Many Jobs Around That Teach Older Kids and Adults
2. Which Schools Specialize in Teaching Executives?
3. Teaching Adults
4. Overwhelmed By Information
5. If You Think Kids are Hard!

Butterfly · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: Kuwait

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

Wha he said...

I have experience teaching both, and honestly, I think if you really want to feel like you are working at a somewhat respectable and legitimate career, then teaching adults is the way to go. It's easy to meet some great people and experience the culture.

sparkx · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: thekimchipot.com

Not to mention the whole split-shift thing. Although I have learned to cope there are some that simply can't take getting up at 5:30 am and teaching till 9:30 pm. Personally, I have actually found that those hours keep me in check. I never go out drinking during the week and as a result have a more professional attitude about my job which makes it more gratifying (which honestly, I rarely hear from friends teaching children) . That said, I will NEVER teach kids in any capacity after spending a year teaching adults. When you teach a high level free talking class you feel like a professor or at the very least Barbera Walters.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

I've taught adults as well as kids- and I actually prefer kids. With adults you have to work that much harder- its all focus and concentration. if you go off track or deviate, they notice and start sighing etc. Its all stress and tension. they have all their different politics going on..they're all expert teachers with firm opinions as to how to teach a lesson.
Kids- you can kick back and play around, enjoy and have a laugh..

FierceInvalid · Joined: 16 Mar 2003

I really want to make the switch from kids to adults but know myself too well to think I can handle the splits. Japan is starting to look better and better.

JackSarang · Joined: 28 Jan 2003

Honestly, I find working with adults just that -- work. And you end up with 100x more criticism. Working with elementary students is my preference. Because a) I'm a lazy teacher and b) I actually feel like I make progress with them. When I taught adults I got zero satisfaction except for the fact that I was teaching housewives and I got incredible insight into their lives (they were very open with me).

Not to mention the fact that hogwan adult jobs are always hellish splitshifts... usually 6:30-9am then again from 6pm-10pm. Not my idea of fun.

The Cube · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

sparkx · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: thekimchipot.com

I found this to be the case my first few months teaching adults until I adpoted a whole new attitude. I began to see teaching like bartending -- "this is my bar and I am the one serving you -- I call the shots!" Surprisingly, the effectiveness of this was greater than I could have expected. Many older Koreans have a nostalgic outlook on their days in middle and high school even though they were beaten and yelled at constantly. I am not exactly an authoritarian in my classroom (I still joke a lot and have fun) but I do make it crystal clear that I am calling the shots and there is zero room for debate on the issue. I haven't had a complaint in 6 months and my classes are always at maximum capacity. Maybe I'm just lucky though.

kimcheeking · Guest

Howard Roark · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Canada

I taught kids my first year here. I enjoyed it at times I suppose, but by the end it was pretty boring and unrewarding. I didn't make many Korean friends. The only Korean adults I was really exposed to were the people on the sreet and a few teachers at my school.
I'm now in my second year and my second job. I work at LG, teaching executives and office workers. I feel like I missed a lot last year. There was this whole other side to Korea that I never got to know. Everyone here speaks English. I have a desk and a computer. I sit in a big office with the Korean office staff. Only a few are my students but they have all become my friends. They're very kind and helpful to me. Last year I felt like I had nobody to ask a question to or turn to if I had a problem. Now I have a lot of people willing to help me anytime I ask.
Also, someone metioned that teaching adults feels more like a real, professional job. That's so true. I agree completely. To actually speak and be understood is an experience I could not have apprciated 2 years ago. The students are enthusiastic and they feel English is important.
On one hand, classes are usually interesting and easy so it doesn't even feel like work. I don't work split shifts. I work from 8am - 3pm. The LG bus picks me up and brings me home. I get free lunch at the company also. It's a pretty good deal. I'm also making more than I was teaching kids. I teach only 3 classes a day at the company. My salary is 2M.
On the other hand, it does take planning and preparation. It's sometimes a challenge to keep it interesting and productive. You must dress and act very professional. I guess the dressing up part is the thing I hate most, but some people like that.
The best part is that I'm finished at 3pm so I have a lot of time to make lots of extra cash, which I do. I also work at a hagwan (legally) in the evenings. Just teaching 2 classes a day at my hagwan brings my pay up to 2.8M - not bad hey?
Last year I taught 7 classes of screaming kids and apathetic teens for 1.8. I definitely prefer my current situation.

qwunk89 · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Hey Howard Roark, is that Mike Gordon?

Howard Roark · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Canada

You mean my avatar? It's Syd Barrett.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

I guess some of us are just too laid back to dress up and act proffessional. I prefer my finger painting.
I guess what puts me off most about teaching adults is living up to their expectations. I like to please, and it seems harder to do this with adults than kiddies.