Korean Job Discussion Forums

Omkara · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: USA

Trying to figure how to pack. What's the norm for teaching in a public shool?

crsandus · Joined: 05 Oct 2004

Dress as sexy as possible.

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

I was told by someone once:

"Better than the students"

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Might as well play the part.

phic11 · Joined: 08 Jan 2007

They made me shave off my beard and wear a suit but it is still a good job.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

I almost always wear a tie. (And there's no shortage of cheap ties in Korea - even silk...) I have one suit here for special ceremonies like graduations/year book pictures, etc.

Short-sleeve shirts (usually with a tie) when it's warm, and sweaters - or occasionally a sport jacket -when it's cold. I teach at a high school, but even when I taught elementary I always wore ties. Not everyone does, but most do, I think...

And the student uniforms at my school include ties for both boys and girls...

poet13 · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:16 pm Post subject:

Suggest reading a couple of the other threads on this in job-related.
I wear a suit. At the beginning of winter I switched from shirt and tie to turtleneck under a jacket.
In Korea, image plays a large role in how you are received and the level of respect you are given.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Don't forget some rags to wrap your head with... Very Happy

Anyong Bluth · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Location: Robbers' Roost

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

aldershot · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

i work in a hagwon. in the summer i'm allowed to wear flip-flops and shorts.

peppermint · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject:

business casual is a safe bet for most. If you're a woman, bring lots of nylons as bare legs are a huge nono at work

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

Depends somewhat on what age your teaching. I teach elementary school students and wear jeans and a polo shirt (sometimes a t-shirt with a sweatshirt). The only time I usually dress up is if something important is going on and they happen to remember to tell me that the day before.

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

freethought · Joined: 13 Mar 2005

all kinds of answers here, and therein lies your answer.

It depends on the school and the individual. I know one of the top rated teacher in Gyonngi-do who works at a very upper crust school, and he also had the top rated open class, has been featured in teaching texts and has been asked to tape his open class for others to watch.

What does he wear: jeans and a t-shirt.

I'm at one of the lowest rated, worst behaved middle schools in the province. I wear khakis and nicer looking shirt-sleeved t-shirts with a couple of buttons, sweaters, rugby jerseys.

Make your own decision with whatever you're comfortable with, and stick with it unless asked to change.