Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LexusNexus]

I am planning on coming to Korea for the first time to teach EFL.

I have 6+ years EFL experience, South East Asia elsewhere.

I have many activity books, handouts, songs, etc.

I have not chosen a job or used a recruiter yet (if I need to).


Question:

How much teaching material should I bring?


Thanks to anyone who wants to share info.

[chinook]

I dunno. I would maybe try scanning stuff onto a site that you could print it off of later (any photo website would do, I think), to save space/weight in your luggage. You can buy EFL books in Korea fairly easily, though you might not want to have to buy more.

[OiGirl]

There are LOTS of English language teaching materials available in Korea. More than most places where I have lived in the US. I would only bring something if you have really used it and it was a hit, or if it's something for a mainstream classroom that you like to use for ESL.
Otherwise, it's probably not worth hauling over. Don't bring something that might be nice, or you think you might use.

[ddeubel]

Bring a laptop and some ink cartridges.

That's the amazing thing about the internet -- everything is portable. Not as much as one book but a lot more than many books! whatever that paradox means.

DD

[ilovebdt]

I would upload your favourite and most successful lessons and activities to a site like Esnips. You can store them there and print them off when you want to use them.

ilovebdt

[moosehead]

depending on the hagwon, a big red rubber nose and an orange wig might come in handy

moosehead

[LexusNexus]

Thanks for all of the replies, everyone. Very helpful.

Moosehead,

I am not sure I want a Hogwan or public school. I am still trying to figure out witch is the better option.

(I've taught Korean privates for 4 years, steadily in addition to schools.)

I have a B.A., TEFL cert, started an MA TEFL but quit after 1/4 of it, and have 6+ years experience.

I think I'll start off in Seoul.

Still debating whether I should use a recruiter from overseas, or just fly to Seoul and pound the pavement and check out option. Yes, the latter will cost me more.

Any advice or recommendations are welcome and appreciated.

LN.

[ddeubel]

LexusNexus

I'd recommend P.S. unless you specifically know the hogwan and have good and reliable (personal) references.

I wasn't being flippant about my comment above. The net offers a plethora of options for the "connected" teacher and really addresses the need for classroom materials for the moment. The big danger is the big guys, like in the music industry, starting to control and monopolize teaching material, I hope it doesn't happen.

In my own community, you have acccess to thousands of resources and people to discuss about classroom issues. There are many others. But classroom teacher sharing of ideas is crucial, given the insular nature of the profession at present in Korea and that so many new and not well trained teachers enter the profession constantly (that doesn't mean BAD teachers, in fact, many of the new teachers are the best of the best...).

Good luck and its a wonderful adventure.

DD

PS. I spent many years with Miller dancing in my head......you must have that edge that will make you a good teacher...

[moosehead]

ps's thrive on teachers being entertaining; my first hakwon i was actually praised for teaching grammar, at my ps i was chastised for trying to "teach nouns to 6th graders!!" as in what was i thinking?? ohmygod

whether here or there, you'll still spend most of your time on the internet doing your search. the advantage over being here you can see the place etc.

just make sure you get a cell phone as soon as you arrive if that's your choice, you'll need it for people to contact you.

good luck.

moosehead

[Sody]

Hi, if you plan on teaching in a public school then it matters what grades you are teaching. For the elementary school levels there is a national curriculum based on books for grades 3-6. I've heard there is even a grade 2 book although I've never seen it. These books also have materials that most schools have access to, but are not usually available at each school unless they are ordered. For instance, for some of the ESL games they use pictures, posters and dice.

For junior high and high school there is no set curriculum or no national standard. For each school it is different.

A good hagwon will provide you with materials but the lesson plans usually must be modified or you use a series like "Let's Go," or "English Time."

BoL.

Sody

[robot]

I brought a couple huge binders, in addition to several loved textbooks, and regretted it.

Most schools will buy whatever textbook you want, so my home copies are redudant. I've yet to touch the binders, as I'm now teaching in a different subject area.

Best to go with computer files. If you don't have a computer, just zip them and email them. Through Gmail, I emailed myself about 5000 word documents of teaching material.

[OiGirl]