Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bnrockin]

Split shifts that is. I want to teach adults, but the only way I can do it is by teaching split shifts. I know already that I will not accept a shift from 6 a.m.-10 and 7-11. That would kill me. But what about one from 10-12 and 6-10. Do you think that would be so bad? Is it worth it to be able to teach the people that I want to? I just am not too enthusiastic about teaching kids and making up games. I am not a kid person. Teaching adults is really rewarding for me though. So what do you say?

[PRagic]

that would still suck. unless you are in your early to mid 20s, i wouldn't recommend it. years ago, i worked at a place with splits, and most of us were crashing out on a pad in the office after a few months. even if you are on the younger side, it'll get to you after only a year or so.

[Ya-ta Boy]

In my opinion, it isn't worth it, and here is why:

After work, I can't relax immediately and go to sleep. Therefore, I'm awake several hours after a night class. Finally go to sleep late and have to wake up early, work, then try to sleep again...if the vegetable truck man doesn't park in front of my building for an hour or so, the kids in the elementary school across the street don't have recess, the missionaries don't come to the door trying to convert me, the construction site next door doesn't need to use their jack hammer and I don't get one or two or three wrong numbers with the same person calling back hoping I won't still be a foreigner...

Although you are technically free during your off hours, you can't really go downtown. You are always aware of the time and when you need to start back to work.

Most people agree that split shifts suck.

In my opinion, teaching kids is the only thing worse than a split shift.

Think about company jobs where you only teach during the day.

[PRagic]

If you are serious about teaching, get the right degrees and go for it. If you are just here to make some cash, suck it up and do the splits. If you're at a big chain, you might be able to negotiate better schedules after you get some seniority (yes, some people actually work at institutes for a long time. I don't understand it, but it happens). It's getting more and more competitive here. The hakwons know that they don't have to accomodate teachers as there is a steady supply, and, as you said, teaching kids is a chore for most people, particularly if you don't have to training.

The long and short of it is that you have to pay your dues. Even with a couple of years at an adult hakwon, and only a BA, you might be able to move to a lower tiered university. The safe bet is to get an MA in applied linguistics or TESL. The BA university jobs don't pay well, and offer less vacation than the MA only jobs, but, then again, they're better than teaching at an institute. Good luck.

[bnrockin]

Well my plan is to only be here for a year, maybe 2. I'm not planning on making a career out of teaching English abroad. I'm just trying to decide on if it is worth it to suck up split shifts to enjoy who I am teaching more or suck up entertaining kids for a life of some sort.

[PRagic]

Look to the bigger chains, maybe Pagoda or Sisa, as they might be able to offer less brutal splits in the short term. If you're only going to be here a couple of years, and you only have a BA, that's probably your best bet.

I might also suggest trying to line something up for your second year at a different school. If you do, you could take a month off and see some of Asia while you're in this neck of the woods. If you just renew your contract, odds are you'll just keep working. At institutes, there are lots of chances for 4 day weekends, which make it easy to get around Korea and see what there is to see. For longer trips, though, they aren't much help.

[dukekorea]

Well, it has been awhile since I have had split shifts on a full time basis. The first time it was fine I was in my 20's. The second time was when I was in my 30's(I'm 45 now) and it really screwed me up, I was in a fog for quite awhile and truly I still don't sleep that great. Nowdays I might have a student/client a couple days after work or on the weekend.


The points made are excellent. 1) Your body just can't shut off and go to sleep after teaching. 2) During the day you are always thinking around your schedule. 3) MA degree in TESL or Applied Linguistics, do this if you want a career.

Anyway if you do work the split shifts I hope you get a good position.

Duke

[wings]

sometimes split shifts can be good. If you are the kind of person who won�t get out of bed unless you have to you will probably get a lot more accomplished during the day when you have to get up in the morning, but then you have a lot of free time. I have worked some non-brutal split shifts where I converted into a better version of myself (eg, gym going, organised, very clean) due to all the free time I ad during the day. But if you are the kind of person who will crawl back into bed after your morning shift I would say it is not worth it.

[PRagic]

Yeah, beware that type of argument. They use that to be persuasive...you know....split shifts are GREAT because...

1) it gets you UP in the moring!
2) you'll use your WHOLE day!
3) you're free to explore during the middle of the day when most people are at work!

Don't fall for it. Know what you are getting into. Again, shoot for the least brutal of the split shifts available, and know that you only have to stick it out for a year or two. One good piece of advice to heed concerns your age. If you are older than 30, expect to have a much tougher time with splits.

[tomato]

Hello, bnrockin!

I'm just the opposite of you: I can't stand teaching anyone BUT little kids.

I have a hard time believing that you can't find a job teaching adults only.

Have you come over to Korea yet?
If you haven't, maybe you should persist a while longer.
Delivering pizzas may not be much fun,
but at least your boss will be pleased as long as you go through the right motions.
Not so when you're teaching outside your preferred age group.

If you're in Korea, maybe a few more weeks of searching will pay off.

[DCJames]

Nope, abolutely not worth it. Your mental and physical health are worth so much more than having the chance to teach adults.

I taught a split from 7-12 and 2-6 and I was absolutely exhausted by the end of the day. Also, you need to actually prepare for adult students which means alot of your time is spend just prepping for classes that seem to never end. Your whole day is focused on work. No end in sight. This will drain you of all your energy. You'll spend weekends trying to recover.

Also, you find yourself napping and eating meals at odd hours. This will totally make you feel like crap.

It's just not worth it.

Good luck!

[oxfordstu]

[moptop]

I taught adults my first year here. I didn't have any experience teaching young kids, and at that point I didn't want any. They still gave me afternoon classes with children, and it wasn't so bad. It was nice to have a break from adults who expected you to do all the work. Yeah, because you learn English by osmosis....Be careful. Some adult hagwons still expect you to teach some kids classes, and perhaps also do intensive in winter and summer.

The split shifts are pretty bad. I used to teach from 6:20-9:20 am, (then breakfast and working out) 12-1 pm, (lunch and a trip back home for a nap, laundry, or cleaning. but this can get expensive if you don't live within walking distance) 6-8 or 9 pm (then dinner and sleep) and some days I had company classes thrown in. I think if they had given me a bigger break in between it would have been a much easier year.
Teaching adults can be great because they love to take you for dinner, and they help out with any problems you may have, like where to buy liquid draino or roach killer. You can make some great friends, too.

Split shifts are do-able, but I wouldn't try it for more than one year. I came out of it severely sleep deprived. It doesn't exactly boost your immune system either. I got sick a lot that year. I wouldn't choose to do it again...

[VanIslander]

no

[plutodog18]