| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
The Hierophant
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
|
 Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:30 am Post subject: The English Town/Immersion Village experience? |
 |
|
Heya.
I'm currently persuing a job listing for Seongnam English Town. I've checked out their website and the set up seems pretty interesting. Themed classrooms, good resources. It certainly looks snazzier than your average hagwon. But everything I've seen so far has just been an ad for how 'great' it all is, which instinctually makes me cautious.
So, does anyone have any experience with working at an immersion village (or Seongnam English Town in particular)? Any glowing reviews? Any horror stories? How's the communal dorm living? The complex itself looks a bit like a secluded yet pleasant prison, is it possible to escape for the weekend? What's the work itself like? Easy to make friends there? How's the food?
In general, how's life in these new-fangled English communes?
Last edited by The Hierophant on Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:51 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 3:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| My school district has an English 'camp' that middle and elementary school students get rotated through on a weekly basis (my middle schoolers have all been through there). It would be a decent place to work if you liked working with kids aged 10-15 and didn't mind bonding with them for a week and then having to say goodbye. The teachers there have quite a bit of autonomy to teach as they please, but not every village / camp may be like that. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Hierophant
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| My school district has an English 'camp' that middle and elementary school students get rotated through on a weekly basis (my middle schoolers have all been through there). It would be a decent place to work if you liked working with kids aged 10-15 and didn't mind bonding with them for a week and then having to say goodbye. The teachers there have quite a bit of autonomy to teach as they please, but not every village / camp may be like that. |
Sounds interesting. Do you know anyone who works/has worked there?
The contract is only for six months, I guess anything is worth a shot for that short a time. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The Hierophant wrote: |
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| My school district has an English 'camp' that middle and elementary school students get rotated through on a weekly basis (my middle schoolers have all been through there). It would be a decent place to work if you liked working with kids aged 10-15 and didn't mind bonding with them for a week and then having to say goodbye. The teachers there have quite a bit of autonomy to teach as they please, but not every village / camp may be like that. |
Sounds interesting. Do you know anyone who works/has worked there?
The contract is only for six months, I guess anything is worth a shot for that short a time. |
I've met everyone who works or has worked there, and know some of them very well.
A six-month village / camp gig might be a very good introduction to Korea. You'll be around other foreigners, you'll see how Korean kids respond to various things, and if you really like it you can probably stay longer - or, if it's not your cup of tea but you like Korea, move on to another job here. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Hierophant
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
A six-month village / camp gig might be a very good introduction to Korea. You'll be around other foreigners, you'll see how Korean kids respond to various things, and if you really like it you can probably stay longer - or, if it's not your cup of tea but you like Korea, move on to another job here. |
Ah OK, thanks. I'm actually just about to finish my first contract in Korea (at a decidedly below-average hagwon), so I have a rough idea of what to expect in terms of how Korean kids generally are. I'm due to start a Dip Ed. in New Zealand in January so I have six months to fill up, and this English town has an opening that would suit my availability.
So, generally speaking, would you recommend I look for something else seeing as I already have experience in Korea? I appreciate your advice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The Hierophant wrote: |
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
A six-month village / camp gig might be a very good introduction to Korea. You'll be around other foreigners, you'll see how Korean kids respond to various things, and if you really like it you can probably stay longer - or, if it's not your cup of tea but you like Korea, move on to another job here. |
Ah OK, thanks. I'm actually just about to finish my first contract in Korea (at a decidedly below-average hagwon), so I have a rough idea of what to expect in terms of how Korean kids generally are. I'm due to start a Dip Ed. in New Zealand in January so I have six months to fill up, and this English town has an opening that would suit my availability.
So, generally speaking, would you recommend I look for something else seeing as I already have experience in Korea? I appreciate your advice. |
Well I'm not you and I guess that all depends on what your tastes are. I personally wouldn't want to work anywhere but a middle or high school or uni, but good luck getting a six-month gig for that unless you plan to be dishonest at the interview and leave after six months. Given a choice between a camp / village or taking my chances with a random hagwon I'd take the camp. You'll be more on show and in the public eye, but far less likely to get screwed around royally. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Hierophant
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
Given a choice between a camp / village or taking my chances with a random hagwon I'd take the camp. You'll be more on show and in the public eye, but far less likely to get screwed around royally. |
Thanks. That's what my gut was telling me. Glad to hear someone else say it too 
Cheers mate! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jaderedux
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: Lurking outside Seoul
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Be sure to ask about accomodations. Some places it is dorm style. You are "on" for overnighters and there are no individual kitchens. So be sure you ask lots of questions.
Jade |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Hierophant
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| jaderedux wrote: |
Be sure to ask about accomodations. Some places it is dorm style. You are "on" for overnighters and there are no individual kitchens. So be sure you ask lots of questions.
Jade |
Vheers for the heads-up Yeah, this place apparently has shared, on-site dorm accomodations. This certainly isn't a selling point, but I'll get the lowdown in the phone interview tomorrow morning. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
| The Hierophant wrote: |
| jaderedux wrote: |
Be sure to ask about accomodations. Some places it is dorm style. You are "on" for overnighters and there are no individual kitchens. So be sure you ask lots of questions.
Jade |
Vheers for the heads-up Yeah, this place apparently has shared, on-site dorm accomodations. This certainly isn't a selling point, but I'll get the lowdown in the phone interview tomorrow morning. |
Well you're in Korea, so be sure to visit the place first. You could mention that some guy you know from the Internet knows some 'camp' teachers who each get their own two-bedroom apartment, lol.
Also, just be clear about what roles you'll be doing if the thought of edutaining strikes you as potentially demeaning. It's one thing to lead kids through different activities rooms and quite another to put on a costume and start dancing around. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Hierophant
Joined: 13 Sep 2005
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
Also, just be clear about what roles you'll be doing if the thought of edutaining strikes you as potentially demeaning. It's one thing to lead kids through different activities rooms and quite another to put on a costume and start dancing around. |
Indeed. I'll proceed with due caution. Cheers. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
