Korean Job Discussion Forums

njp6 · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Location: Gangnam, South Korea

My contract will be up soon with my hagwon here, and after a long vacation in the states, I plan to come back to Korea and try for a public school job. I have experience teaching at almost all levels and ages in the states, but I don't really know what to expect in good old Korea. I know it's a rather vague question, but I'm wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are to teaching elementary, middle school and public school and which one of these y'all would recommend. Any advice/info is appreciated.

nautilus · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

I think i will only ever teach elementary because the kids are so much fun and never fail to cheer me up.

Middle schoolers are too sulky and adults too whiny by contrast And hogwons are just too out of control in any case.

mikowee · Joined: 03 Aug 2006

If you're teaching high school be prepared for blank stares as a stock response to questions. My school is one of the lower level ones, so it may be different in a better school.

luvnpeas · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:22 am Post subject:

Elementary school is a blast. The kids are mostly ultra cute and sweet. Mostly.

My guess is that what really matters is the other staff: your co-teacher, the principle and vice-principle. All things being equal, I find elementary pretty darn fun.

Oh, what also really matters is you: your temperament, the age you relate to best. Do you have a sense of that?

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

I love children, so I like elementary. They are also easier to see progress in and make you feel better (on the most part). From a practical view, elementary school teacher technically work less, as the lessons are only 40 minutes long, while 50 in high schools.

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

dridgway · Joined: 18 Sep 2006 Location: Suwon, S. Korea

I teach in a public highschool and find it pretty good. No behaviour issues with the students and about 80% of them genuinely seem to be interested. The biggest issues I've ever had are the days when the students ALL seem to be asleep...can't blame them though, they work them to death. Apart from the sleepers the only problems I've ever had are 1 or 2 students who would rather fix their makeup than participate in the class, hardly disruptive. Mind you it's an all girls school, and a fairly strict one.

If I had to come up with complaints it would be a lack of organization and no curiculum whatsoever. That's only if I HAD to complain though, I love my job and feel pretty lucky to be there most of the time.

Strange how I felt obligated to complain there...have I been reading this site too much?

gsxr750r · Joined: 29 Jan 2007

I have taught all ages. High school all the way (if they are in a good/rich area, anyway).

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

mikowee · Joined: 03 Aug 2006

gsxr750r · Joined: 29 Jan 2007

If you live in a richer suburb, a large number of students will be from well-to-do families who may value education more.

Students preference schools, and the gov't decides, based on what other than location, I don't know. The gov't tries its best to equalize the education here (that's why they shift public school teachers every 3 years, I believe) but that doesn't stop some schools from being better than others. The gov't has done its best to keep unis from ranking high schools here, as well. That was a huge issue recently (and probably still is).

luvnpeas · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 3:31 pm Post subject:

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

High schools vary incredibly from school to school, whereas middle schools tend to be at a similar level (i.e. a huge range of kids). I wouldn't really know about elementary as I hate very young children.

I teach at a combined middle / high school and generally love it. If you do go for a high school, try to avoid a technical or vocational HS unless you just want to be an English activities teacher.

QbertP · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Location: Seoul

I'm in a two grade middle school. It's my first teaching job over here so I don't have a lot to compare it to but it sounds like a perfect mix of highschool and elementary. My first graders are always excited. My second graders vary greatly but other than 1st period where everyone wants to be in bed(myself included) they manage to keep the energy up. And if I have a bad 2nd grade class the 1st graders can always brighten my day.

Just a thought

freethought · Joined: 13 Mar 2005

Totally depends on the school and your relationship with the school/admin.

I will have close to 3 and a half months off through the course of a year contract. That's partly because I put certain clauses in my contract, like "XXX does not have to come to school during exam periods."

I know other schools that try very hard to cultivate a good relationship with the teacher, mine does nothing for me unless I force them to. Both are middle schools, but completely different environment.

I think a better question to ask would be "how much time do you have off?" How long are your exam periods? Do you have to go during exams?

Those are the type of things you may want to consider. Age, obviously is another factor. Never underestimate the power of puberty....