Korean Job Discussion Forums

cj1976 · Joined: 26 Oct 2005

Does anyone know anything about this? What's involved, where, how long etc? Also, will we have to stay in hotels?

wings · Joined: 09 Nov 2006

From what I have heard we will be staying in hotels, in shared rooms for a week of orientation. Sounds like in the past it hasn't been the most useful orientation, but that they are trying to make it more useful. Hopefully it will be interesting at the very least.

cj1976 · Joined: 26 Oct 2005

Sounds much like the GEPIK program I attended last year. Turned out to be a week-long boozing session! .

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

Here is a thread that talks about the orientation, in a general vein. I'm sure others can add more. I'll probably be there again lecturing for a couple days. Practical, hands on stuff about how to set up your classroom and giving teachers some bang on lessons for their first weeks. As well as coteaching and practical tips. More a share our ideas workshop.....

You'll also be in the now renovated training centre, much better.... 2 to a room. Boozing is okay but the idea is to help you make contacts, friends and feel comfortable about Korea and going into the classroom.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=79323&highlight=smoe+orientation

DD

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

[quote="ddeubel]H... As well as coteaching and practical tips. More a share our ideas workshop.....
DD[/quote]

Giving the new teachers and EXACT definition of co-teaching would be helpful. Nobody could tell my intake what it meant. And when we hit the trenches every Korean co-teacher also had their own idea of what 'co-teaching' is.

What do you call a system where the recruiter (and orientation) tell the NSET they should plan and deliver a communicative lesson, and take charge of the class - only to have their lessons changed mid-class, or their lessons changed to a Confucian 'teacher-led' style when they hit the classroom? Is that co-teaching? To me it's a dog's breakfast.

SMOE needs clear WRITTEN guidelines/policies for NSET's and K. co-teachers to follow. It would also help if SMOE required their co-teachers to pass reputable TEFL courses so they know where the NSET's communicative teaching practice is coming from.

cj1976 · Joined: 26 Oct 2005

All joking and boozing-related thoughts aside, I hope the induction is useful and the SMOE trainers lay out a clear description of what is expected of us. A year could be a long time if neither you nor the co-teacher is sure of what lies ahead.

ardis · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

I'm really worried. I have a phone interview with SMOE this week, but my summer camp job doesn't get out until the 25th and I read that the orientation begins on the 24th. I put on my resume the dates of the camp and everything...and their recruiter knew I'd be busy until then, too. So do you think I could still be hired even with missing a day or day and a half of the orientation?

SeoulBound · Joined: 25 May 2007

I don't think the orientation starts until Aug 25. I wont get into Incheon airport until about 7pm in the evening on Aug 24, and my understanding was that we'd all start the next morning.

ardis · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

^ Yay! You just made a little more relieved before my phone interview! *big sigh of relief* I hope to see some of you guys there! That is, if I can survive the interview. Any tips for it?

SeoulBound · Joined: 25 May 2007

My phone interview was pretty basic. She asked me first off why I chose to live and work in Korea. Then she inquired about previous teaching experience (I had only tutored highschool English so I just gave info on what I taught and methods, and my TESL certification, etc). She asked what my teaching philosophy would be.. I kinda went off a bit on this one heh. Lastly, she asked if I thought I could cope well in a new culture.

Like I said, pretty basic. Don't sweat it too much. Just be sure to look into SMOE's program beforehand. My recruiter also suggested that when you are asked what level you want to teach to give a specific answer. Don't just reply with "it doesn't matter". I was also given the chance to ask her some questions at the end. Hope this helps a bit! Goodluck Smile

ardis · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Unless SMOE takes the suggestions the teachers gave them (which they haven't done yet), don't expect too much clarity during the orientation.

You will thankfully get to see a real live foreign teacher in action near the end of the week. You'll learn more from that one person than all the other at the SMOE orientation combined.

Don't expect your questions to get answered. The teachers in the schools and the SMOE people live different lives. SMOE admins don't know what goes on in the schools and each school is different. Do expect to meet some other great foreigners. Just relax, know you are getting paid and don't expect to know what you will do in your school until you are there.

ardis · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

How many people are expected to be at the orientation?

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Deubel, I applaud your efforts and professional stance in teaching and in dealing with SMOE. So many SMOE teachers are upset because they aren't listened to and the problems and unanswered questions at past orientations seemed to remain in the following orientations. I know many SMOE teachers complain, jump and yell about SMOE problems and it's not productive. Many have brought their problems professionally, in person and in surveys to SMOE and are still being ignored or not taken seriously. One issue is that the SMOE administrators have too much to do and too many teachers to handle. The problems have caused many to leave Korea or change employers.

SMOE does have its share of issues, but it is still better than a hogwan and it is better than EPIK.