Korean Job Discussion Forums

bnrockin · Joined: 27 Feb 2006

So for pretty much the past year, I've been battling in my mind whether to teach at public schools or Hagwons. I've heard the pro's and con's of each that you all have mentioned. I have to say that the only thing keeping me from working at a public school is what I have heard about the school being very hands-off about your teaching and not giving you much input and materials, etc. That is concerning to me because I have experience as a tutor in both history and conversational skill here in the states, but I don't know if I am capable of coming up with with my own complete lesson plan with little to no input or advice from the staff. ~~~For those of you in public schools, how did you deal with this (especially those of you with no teaching experience before). I really want my students to be able to learn and I want my classes somewhat mind stimulating so I don't have to check for pulses.

My second question is for public schools, is working in summer/winter camps mandatory or do you guys just do it for the extra bucks since you have extra time? Do you still get paid by your public school during the long time off in the winter and summer, even though you are not working?

Thanks for your answers. They will help me make my decision.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

It depends upon the province, but usually:

There are textbooks used in the public school classrooms and usually you can use those as a reference point. If not, take the initiative and ask the teachers for guidance. I get anything I ask for. You do have a lot of freedom, so learn to enjoy making and playing games

Summer and winter camps will probably be part of your contract and required.

If you choose hogwans over public schools, you better find an excellent one or you be a fool.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

bosintang · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject:

I've said my piece before, so I'll keep it short.

You'll learn to be a much more effective teacher if you spend a few months or a year in a hagwon. However, despite the mediocrity of public schools, they will always be more stable.

One more piece of advice, whatever so-and-so says about their public school or hagwon basically applies ONLY to their public school or hagwon. Often the official position (e.g. student-centred, communicative based co-teaching!) gets thrown right out the window when you actually get into your school. All schools are different, and they all will have different expectations of you and different levels of support.

bnrockin · Joined: 27 Feb 2006

urban-thanks for the advice. I really didn't think about teachers manuals. The complaints I do hear are usually about Hagwons and how unstable they are or how crappy their boss is.

bosintang- yes, you are right that you can not account for all schools. Are you in Hagwons now or public school? Which do you prefer to work in (you can post a link of a previous thread if you want). I tend to share the feeling that I could become a better teacher if I spent a year in a Hagwon, so as I could get advice from others, etc.

Let me throw another number in the equation-Right now, I plan on being in Korea for 1 year before I try to get a job with the U.S. Department of State. I might not get accepted that first try and so I might be in Korea longer. If, however, I do only stay in Korea for only one year, is it better to work in a hagwon or public school or does that change things any?

Thanks for your responses. They've been helpful.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

You could always try a TEFL certificate of sorts and see how this helps you develop as a teacher

that guy · Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Location: long gone

As TheUrbanMyth said, there is a website for lesson plans for Gyunggido that has a lesson plan for each unit and each "hour" your with the students.

I'm not sure about other age groups, but elementary schools do have English teacher's manuals for the regular classes. I found mine after the first semester in my supervisor's office collecting dust. She even seemed puzzled as to why I wanted to use them. Every teacher should demand them (even though they are the typical scripted lessons, they do help).

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

bnrockin · Joined: 27 Feb 2006

yeah, I want to be a foreign officer and work with public affairs in embassy's abroad.

wowser · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Kyonggi do

Can someone post the website address for the Gyeongigi area lesson plans? Please?

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

that guy · Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Location: long gone

They're complete crap but here you go.

http://www.gochang.es.kr/gepik/zboard.php?id=c1

The schools should have a copy of this on a cd as well. Again, there are English teachers manuals. They won't tell you, ask for them.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

The best training I could have had for public school was half a year at a crap hogwan. Unfortunately not everyone is able to bail out of a hogwan and get a new job, like I was. If you can get a six-month contract it might be ideal - if the hogwan is good you can try to renew; if it's typical you can move on and up.

bnrockin · Joined: 27 Feb 2006

and thus the hogwon vs. public school debate commences.