Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BS.Dos.]

I decided that as I don't have any teaching experience outside of my TESOL training, a position in a Public School would be far too demanding for me during my first year in Korea. Rightly or wrongly, I felt that a Hagwon with smaller 'manageable' class sizes would be the best place for me to gain experience whilst I cut my proverbial teeth.

However, a recent email from a credible recruiter has forced me to reconsider the possibility of teaching in a Public School.

Thus, my question is:

Should an inexperienced first timer start out within a Public School?

Muchos Appreciatos.

[venus]

[seoulsucker]

While I have a hard time recommending working at a hagwon to ANYONE, it might not be a bad idea.

Hagwons are also much more accustomed to taking care of your personal needs. Fresh off the boat there are going to be certain things you'll need help taking care of, and a good hagwon usually has support staff that can help you get settled in. You might get lucky with a public school co-worker who is willing to help you set up cable, get a cellphone, etc.

Also, having a chance to work with other foreigners your first year is a big help. You'll get out in the social scene much more easily, if they're established in the area they can help you find what you need. Shopping, restaurants, health clubs, saunas, etc.

The benefits of public school as a job far outweigh those of a hagwon, but in your first year here there are a lot of other considerations. Keep it in mind.

Where is the school located? Any other foreign staff? Are they providing housing?

[BS.Dos.]

I hear you venus, but 40+ class sizes scares the shit out of me.

[butlerian]

I agree that a public school is generally the better option, but there are always exceptions - especially in Korea, as every school/hagwon does things at least a little bit differently. I found it quite daunting when I first came to my public school in a small town and was given the task of writing lesson plans despite being given no training and having little idea of what the students were capable of.

However, you'll soon get in the stride of things and it's a good learning experience. As long as your co-teachers are good to you, you should be fine. Co-teachers can be very important - especially for a noob - in a public school, and it's vital that you establish a good rapport/relationship with them.

As for class sizes, I can understand your concerns. My class sizes never exceed 35 students. In England, it is very daunting, but for some reason I find it much easier dealing with 35 Korean students than 35 English students. Just try to keep things simple at first, but make sure you have enough activities to keep them occupied.

[seoulsucker]

Oh...I worked for a hagwon my first year. I've been in public schools for the past 3. It wasn't a bad place to start, but I agree with venus in that I would never, ever go back to working in one.

[cbclark4]

Public school jobs are the best from everything I have read and from my own experience. I am new to teaching. My public school is great.

I create one lesson plan and it is good for two weeks worth of classes. Sometimes my plans overlap because scheduling is not perfect.

The kids are great for the most part. The novelty of my presence is beginning to wear off so my lessons do need more work. Mostly you need an activity with every lesson or you lose the kids attention.

You will find some of the classes will not respond to anything. If you get the brighter kids attention that is all that is required anyways, those that are falling behind are just falling behind.

I have two after school classes (OT). I am challenging them with creating a speech. This is middle school. I think they have accepted the challenge.

cbc

[seoulsucker]

[venus]

[Saxiif]

My first hagwon pimped me out to a public school. I had these massive classes but faaar less discipline problems than in my hagwon classes. The kids are mostly used to toeing the line in public school and getting to act like monkeys in the hagwons, at least in my experience.

Also I'd recommend looking for a job in a poorer area, since the kids there will have had less contact with English hagwons and thus probably more respect for you. Seongnam and Bucheon are two of Seouls poorer suburbs, would recommend taking a look at them.

Also I'd imagine that a public school is more forgiving to newbie mistakes. If you screw up in a hagwon your boss looses money, if you screw up in a public school you boss doesn't loose any money.

While the shittiest jobs are mostly hagwons, so are some of the best jobs. However if you're a newbie you probably won't be getting a job at one of the high-end hagwons. Try to get one of those through word of mouth later on once you have some experience...

[BS.Dos.]

@seoulsucker

[venus]

[Saxiif]

Job sounds OK. Incheon isn't the nicest place in the world but there's plenty of foreigners there and its not too expensive.

[SPINOZA]

I voted Yes, go for it because that's what I did and Korea has been very soft and fluffy for me.

I work 16 hours in a 40 hour week. Yes, that's a lot of downtime and it can get a little boring, but I'd rather that since I can prepare for classes and overtime classes more than amply. I can also get my internet fix out of my system at work and spend time on more constructive hobbies in my free time. It's not even work. If you love work - 35 hour weeks, getting home tired after 7 classes - then hagwons will be right up your street. If you're also into getting shafted out of your severance and airfare, you'll love hagwons, because they'll screw you in the butthole. Tiny, dirty apartment? No problem. You'll find all this and more besides at hagwons.

When I was a newb, my co-teacher gave me some textbooks and said "pages 31 and 32 - you should prepare". There wasn't very much so I thought of some relevant stuff to add (I've done CELTA, so wasn't entirely unfamiliar)....it's all rather straightforward really.

[BS.Dos.]