Korean Job Discussion Forums

[newintown]

i came to korea for a variety of reasons - boredom/frustration with life back home, opportunity to live in a new country, chance to travel, potential to save money....
i gave very little thought to the actual teaching side of things. in truth, i was dreading it, as i considered myself fairly intolerant of children and worried how my patience would hold out. however, 5 months in, i am beginning to consider teaching as a career on my return to the UK.
i realise hogwan in SK v primary school in england are difficult to compare, but i am really starting to feel like it could be for me. i actually enjoying teaching.
i know a big proportion of my day involves playing a tape, or getting the kids to recite english words, but with the older classes, i do enjoy explaining things, answering questions on subjects i know very little about & generally having to improvise & think on my feet.
anyone else think they have found their niche working with children?
i do appreciate the vast differences in ESL instructors and teachers, and understand theres probably a lot more to teaching than i've experienced in my short time here, but i just wondered how many of you think they are in this for the long haul?

[VanIslander]

Yes, quite possibly it seems so some days

[polonius]

Been here since 2002. I have thought about going back home, but every time I do, my company makes me an offer I can't refuse. The job I have now is possibly the best job I have had in my life, so leaving it will be difficult. In the end though, my decision to stay will be a family decision, and not one I make on my own.

[Milwaukiedave]

It really depends on what you want for your future. There are a lot of things to consider when thinking about whether or not you should stay.

Certainly it is possible to stay long term. I came over here for what I thought would be just a year, but ended up staying 3 1/2 years. I'm going back home in early June, but have strong connections to Korea (because I'm married to a Korean) and will be back frequently to visit. I've even left the door open to coming back to live here, although I very much miss Oregon.

[faster]

Teaching is my life's work.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I can't think of anything else I'd rather do. Not back home, mind you.

[The Hierophant]

For sure, I'm 'going career' with it. I'm starting my Graduate Diploma in Education next January.

[bobbyhanlon]

personally i can't stand it. i've been in korea for 3 and a half years and taught english for about 1 year. i just can't deal with the disrespect from the kids and society in general. maybe it would be better teaching back home, but i doubt it. anyone who can teach, and enjoys it, has my admiration.

[The Hierophant]

[mnhnhyouh]

Teaching is my fourth career, I realised how much I enjoyed it as a graduate student when I taught some subjects at university. I have just done two years in Australia as a math/science/workshop teacher in a secondary school. Really enjoyed it.

Now, teaching ESL here, I find I still enjoy finding interesting ways of imparting knowledge. For me, knowing how each student learns is an important part of doing it. Being in a hagwon, with small classes of 6 or less, and seeing most of my students every day allows me to do this.

I dont know how long I will teach for, but will continue to do so while I enjoy it. After that? Not at all sure, but it will be something else I enjoy doing.

P.S. dont tell my boss how much I enjoy it, or they might pay me less.

h

[Zark]

I've been teaching overseas since 1992 - it is and was my profession. Considering semi-retirment at the moment though.

Don't get TOO hooked into one country though as one of the great advantages is being able to live in a variety of countries.

[matthews_world]

Why not live in one country?

Korea has lots of opportunity and making money is quite easy here.

Once I finally get my masters in the next couple years, it's off to more glamorous positions here.

Currently, I've never been married and am almost 40 and plan to work/teach here until I reach 50. After saving a nice wad of cash and investing in a home in my country, I'll return to start my own business.

[Yaya]

I think teaching can be a life-long career, but that's if you don't get burned out. I hear nursing and teaching are two professions with extremely high burnout rates. The funny thing is, I have talked to teachers who say they wouldn't mind teaching something as long as it wasn't English: crafts, physical education or another subject.

I think Korea is a great place for those who do like teaching, as you'll always have a job and always make money.

[twg]

[kurva anjad]

Yup. Beats doing roofing back home (the poor man's construction job), and I fancy meself a good teacher. I'll do this til I die.