Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Snowkr]

Just curious...

I have recently returned to Korea. I work in a public high school. So far I like it but I'm wondering about the facilities in other public schools.

Mine is over 30 years old and the school is a bit run down and kind of depressing. Concrete floors, paint coming off the walls, wah, wah wah. It reminds me of being in China.

The work environment is good though so that makes up for it. Also my classroom is this state of the art language lab on the fifth floor with a digital whiteboard, security system, computers at every table... etc... I'm glad I don't teach in a regular classroom.

The toilets are old fashioned Asian style and you have to take your own toilet paper. I don't mind it too much but I feel kind of bad for the students who spend 3 years of their lives in this place.

For those of you in other public schools, Gyeongi, Seoul, Daegu or anywhere else, what are your buildings like?

[iain77]

sounds almost like mine, except for the old and run-down part, i believe this school is only 10 years old.

[SPINOZA]

Is your public school a complete and utter dump?

Actually mine's had a paint job and looks better, but still, SnowKr's description reminded me of my school. Mine has been around since the 70s at least. I also refuse to use the language room because doing so involves enforced group work (tables of 4). Group work should be an option, not a compulsion.

[Dome Vans]

In Hongseong,

my elementary schools are really nice, clean toilets. Just started at a new one and it's spotless, brand new computers everything.

At one of my middle schools they have a really good english room as OP mentioned everything there. Multimedia everything there, dictionaries for all teh students. Still can't hack the toilets, they stink of pee from about 30 years ago. Stale, full of mozzies, it's a run in and out job. Always forget bog paper so need to run back to get that.

The other middle school is stone age, awful. I don't like teaching on a stage that is above the students. No multimedia, suffocate from chalk dust. And the toilets in this place have never been cleaned, opened the lid once and there were worms in the toilet.

Think you can tell a lot about how the principal runs the school by the state of it. This last school is my least favourite. The Students english is the worst as well.

[hugo_danner]

Mine was built in 1930, it's old but they're consolidating a couple small schools here. The budget for a new building is $4 million US. I expect after 5 years it will start to look 10-20 years old, just like the rest of the buildings here.

[Snowkr]

Wow

Now I don't feel so bad. Sounds like public schools in this country are kind of vile.

I hate the toilet thing. It's so unsanitary but of course I understand it's a cultural thing.

I don't mind where I work because I like the students and my co-workers. I was hired directly by this school rather than through the GEPIK program so I really lucked out. They've been awesome to me.

Just wish this facility and surrounding environment could be better. I dread the winter. It's going to be gross!

[Scouse Mouse]

My school is 65 years old. I teach in a regular classroom where the only difference is the new tables and chairs they have invested in. The funds for my English Room have been 'reallocated' I guess...

[mrsquirrel]

[some waygug-in]

It's a kind of large building with lots of doors and windows and various floors. There are many large rooms where children come during the week to be indoctrinated into the many nuances of Korean culture by an adult (in age only). There is also 1 waygookin adult whose job description involves repeating boring lines of English dialoge to certain groups of children and then standing back and watching the Korean teacher mangle what could have been a perfectly productive class period. Careful planning by Korean education officials has ensured that the wayguk's main role is to provide entertainment value for classes and thereby allow the bulk of students to grow up to believe that all foreigners are complete idiots who can't do anything without the prompting of a Korean teacher.

Mine's fairly new and modern.

[Snowkr]

Waygug-in


If you hate your job that much... why stay? Seriously... is the money really worth it..?


Thanks everyone else for the input. It seems like public high schools and middle schools are the oldest and worst facilities. I really like my classroom though. Just wish the teachers work room could be so nice.

[some waygug-in]

As bad as it is, it's still better than some of the hagwans I've experienced.


I suppose I had more freedom at the haggie, but I had a lot more problems with classroom control and a lot more worries about whether or not I would get paid every month.

The only jobs I've had in Korea that I was "relatively" satisfied (with the teaching part) were ones where I was teaching adults or mostly adults. Those jobs are very competive (at least in the Busan area) and schools generally have their pick of teachers....because almost everyone wants to get away from teaching kids. As a consequence, adult jobs pay less and are more subject to shennanigans with regards to pay etc. (at least in my own experience)

So eventhough I was sort of happy with the teaching at adult schools, I was quite stressed by the late pay and no pay issues.


So is teaching in a public school worth it? No, but none of my hagwan jobs were really worth it either.
At least I do get paid regularly here and as much as it sucks sometimes, there are brightspots. (like actual vacation days) I think I will enjoy teaching the grade 3's this term. So far, they've been pretty fun.

By the way, my previous post was supposed to be funny.

I guess my sense of ha ha needs some work.

Cheers

[Snowkr]

You've obviously been here for awhile, I'm guessing.
Sorry you've had such sour experiences. Mine have been nothing but good in Korea... but I've only worked out one year and have just started on my second in a totally new city.

[some waygug-in]

I hope you continue to have great experiences. Go for it.

I guess I need to work harder at seeing the positive in this job.

Have a good one.

[Snowkr]

Good on you!

[Snowkr]

Good on you!