Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sincinnatislink]

Tell me if this is an insane schedule.
10:40 I start teaching Kindergarten.
two forty minute periods every day starting then.
Monday, 3 of them.
Lunch.
Remainder of day always completely booked - two classes or one 90 minute class.
Then, afternoon classes.
3-4 per night, most of them 40 minutes, one 80 minute twice a week, ending at 7:00

I just finished my second week, I'm positive that I'm a terrible teacher at the moment, my boss complains about my lesson plans, and I am exhausted. Always.
Words of encouragement are nice, or some kind of grounds to tell them to go to hell would work, too.
This is after I got no training whatsoever, and tomorrow morning I will be traveling to Seoul (from Incheon) for a "refresher" course. My boss claims the instructor will know that I need the introductory stuff as well.
The class is unpaid, as is transportation from the Incheon blue line to someplace in Seoul.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[swetepete]

Rough schedule.
It'll get easier, as time goes on, because you'll learn little tricks and be able to sleep on your feet somewhat.
But the rabbit's right, man--bail if you can. There's better gigs by far. Teaching eight hours a day is a DRAG and unless you're getting heavy heavy money, it's not really worth it.

[ChuckECheese]

RUN!!!!!!!

[saw6436]

Other posters are correct. Your only in your second week and I am guessing you are new to teaching. As in any job you will only get better with time.

My first 3 years I did split shifts. 6:00am to 8:15am then back to school from 3:00pm to 9:30pm (10 minute breaks between classes). By the end of my first 6 months I though I was going to die. But I learned to adapt, incorporate fun ideas in class. Basicly, I created lessons that I thought would be fun for ME to teach.

Now, 9 years in Korea teaching I now begin work at 7:00am and I finish at 9:30pm. I have a 2 hour break from 12:00 to 2:00pm. I average about 45 classes a week. Sounds like alot but I completely control my classes and lessons. I do not find it to be that big of a deal. Yes, I am tired at the end of the day and I refuse to work weekends. But, when the paycheck rolls in I feel it is worth it.

Sounds cynical, but try to think of teaching as a "gig". Relax a-bit. If you are teaching kids remember to mix activities up. Kids have the attention span of a puppy. 5-7 minutes at most on any given task then switch tasks. Also, you do not have to perform every single minute of class time. Mix it up with your students. Talk to them, play with them. I spend a good part of my time teasing and playing around with my kids. They love it. Just be sure to let them know who is boss and its cool.

Sorry you feel run down. And don't take everyting a Hakwon boss says to heart. Chances are your boss couldn't teach his/her way out of a wet paper sack. I have taught in public schools, Universities and at Hakwons. I have seen the Korean teachers. Sometimes I feel it is a left-handed compliment when a Korean tells me I am a good teacher. In general the educational system here is in the toilet. So, the boss complaining about your "lesson plans" really is a pointless exercise on his part. I bet he has no suggestions (real suggestions) on how to improve your lessons.

Good luck!

[yingwenlaoshi]

Looks like they're counting the minutes. Be it 40 or 50, same damn thing. A class is an hour. Sounds like you're not getting OT either. Pretty bad.

Tell your boss to stuff it. Lesson plans, indeed. And complaining. Oh thanks, master. Phuck him. You'd have to be a robot to plan any of that. I wouldn't plan a damn thing. Just teach. I wouldn't go to whatever the hell that is on the weekend, either.

If you can get out of this job, do it. You don't need to go through all that crap just so the kids can learn some English.

[Travelous Maximus]

Tough it out, lol.

[Corporal]

[Sincinnatislink]

[Sincinnatislink]

[Dodgy Al]

yingwenlaoshi is right about them counting the minutes. Like milking a cow, they're getting every last drop. It sucks when that happens. A year is a long time. Are there other foreign teachers at your school? How do they feel about the place?

saw6436 offered some good advice. Don't put added pressure on yourself and you'll be fine.

[mt01ap]

my hagwon started counting mintues as well and it sucks balls. I went from teaching 20 children classes for 50 minutes, to 22 kiddie classes at 45 minutes (I also teach adults but those times remained unchanged). It's not a big difference but those 2 extra classes used to be my time off and I'd rather have those 2 classes off then have my classes shorter by 5 minutes.

[Sincinnatislink]

Thank you all for the support.
I'll ease into it, I'm sure.

[rhinocharge64]

I don't think you will...head to immigration, and get your passport, and find another job!!

[bangkokbaz]

Run forrest Run.....................................