Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Lost Seoul]

Over 5 years ago now I went out to Korea to teach ESL and it didn't quite work out for me, to say the least. To those who may have had a similarly negative experience (and I know such people exist) reading my story may be of comfort to you. My advice to you is if you still have a passion to work in education is do not be downhearted.

This time last year I embarked on a PGCE (PCET) which would qualify my to teach in the Further and Higher Education sector in the UK. To say I was apprehensive about embarking on such a course would be an understatement. My only previous experience when it came to teaching was my disastrous stint in Korea and I was unsure if I could make the grade. There is often a view that if you can't make it teaching ESL in Korea you will not make it teaching in the UK/US. However this is an over simplified view in my opinion. Having experienced life in a FE College in the UK and a Hagwon in South Korea I can confirm there is a higher level of professionalism and expectation back home but the support you get on a PGCE (PCET) far surpasses what you get in a significant amount of Hagwons.

The PGCE course started with a six-week introduction into teaching styles and methods as opposed to being picked up from the airport and getting pushed into a classroom and just expected to teach without support within the week if not within the day (in some cases). Of course I had my share of bad days whilst being on placement on my PGCE (PCET) it is all part of teaching. The difference was when I had one of those bad days my colleagues were there to pick me up dust me off, ready for another go tomorrow, rather than blaming me for the decrease in business of their Hagwon. The isolation experienced by many Korean ESL instructors is not a very healthy environment in which to develop as a teacher. Sitting in your lonely apartment a long way away from those you love convinced that your boss is right in thinking you are a bad teacher because his business is failing apart is not the best start. In contrast on my PGCE I was surrounded by people who took an interest in my development as a professional, observed my lessons and afterwards gave feedback, not only on the areas I could improve on but praised me on the bits I got right. The criticism was always constructive as opposed to �why can�t you do that, what is wrong with you?� and trying to run my lesson whilst it was in progress.

In terms of the job I did whilst on placement, well, it can�t have been that bad because they have welcomed me back on a fixed term contract so was I really the �bad teacher� I was led to believe I was by the Hagwon I had a dispute with? Maybe I have just matured in the space of five years? Maybe it is a mixture of both factors; it�s hard to tell.

I�m not saying all Hagwons are the same and indeed that all UK Colleges are the same but in the end I feel so much of how you develop as a teacher or indeed in any profession is dependent on the support around you and your attitude to work. I was worried after my Korean experience teaching ESL that is was my attitude that was errant but this alleged errant attitude never showed itself during my course/placement. I passed all my observations and modules. As I have already touched on, the observations I received on the PGCE (PCET) were much more constructive, I was really worried before my first observation, all those memories of the Hagwon co-owner ripping me apart came flooding back; I woke up the morning before drenched in sweat. I thought it would be my last day on the course, the lesson went well though and the observer was really impressed but at the same time gave me some action points for improvement, as it should be in my opinion.

For those who at the moment are considering going to Korea as opposed to doing a teaching qualification as an easier way into education be advised this may not be the case. I feel that had I done my PGCE (PCET) course first it would have given me the tools I needed to survive in Korea; on the teaching side at least Whether it would or not I guess I�ll never know for sure. I have too many commitments in my own country now to go back and I have a kid on the way later this year, by the time she has grown up I will be to old for the Korean ESL experience.

[Marlboro]

Thankyou for that wonderful email words of encouragement indeed.

I am currently in England however heading back to Korea in afew days for maybe another year or two, and then i will do a PGCE and start teaching Citizenship, meanwhile i am happy doing what i am doing, plus england sucks for me,and korea is very far away,woohoo

[The Hierophant]

Great post. Thanks for the guidance.
I'm one month into my own PGCE course in New Zealand. I started my first placement today. Your post is a big encouragement. Thanks, and good luck for your future in teaching!

[Lost Seoul]

[jajdude]

Good OP, Lost Seoul. I've had jobs where the boss criticized me and basically said I was not doing a good job, no support, just blame. It can be easy to believe it's your fault, but often it is not. I've also had jobs where everyone was pleased with my efforts. So, where you work, the people and environment can make a world of difference. There are a lot of crap jobs with lousy bosses, but some good ones too.