Korean Job Discussion Forums

bobo_bt · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: Kyeongbuk

My year is almost up at my hagwon and after spending a little time at home I plan to return to Korea. I am seriously considering applying for a public school job. Just wondered if anyone could give me some information on what to expect.

Am I gonna be the only foreign teacher? (Although this wouldnt really be a problem)

Is there some sort of structure and syllabus in place or is the incoming teacher expected to deal with this?

What other duties are involved that wouldn't necessarily be required of someone working at a hagwon?

Atavistic · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:17 am Post subject: Re: Public School

bobo_bt · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: Kyeongbuk

Do you work at a public school? If so, how long have u been there for and would you reccommend this rather than working at a hagwon?

I can see benefits already with the working hours giving me free time in the evening and also more holidays than I get at the moment. Any other advantages?

Atavistic · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:14 am Post subject:

I worked at one hogwon for nearly 4 months before getting fired. I worked at another for 5 months before getting evicted because the boss didn't pay rent. I've been at my public school for over 4 months and had extremely few problems compared to either hogwon I ever worked at.

For the record, I worked at a poor (Title I) public school in the States for three years before coming to Korea. In those three years I had less problems than in two months at a Korean hogwon.

Soooooo, to me the major advantages are that I get paid, I get paid on time, and I'm not kicked out of my house. I deal with parents less, too. (Never had one complain, compared to the crap at hogwons.) Also, at my school, I am treated well. They respect my teaching certificate and M. Ed. and make me feel like they want me to TEACH. At both hogwons I felt like I was there more for show and babysitting.

YMMV.

bobo_bt · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: Kyeongbuk

Thanks for the reply, I am beginning to lean more and more towards working in a public school when I return. (Still got 6 weeks to go at my hagwon but it doesn't do any harm to try and make future plans)

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

Atavistic · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:38 am Post subject:

I didn't say it was a good one.

jkelly80 · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Location: you boys like mexico?

I have a few questions about publics, I'm gunning hardcore for a SMOE job in the spring. Any help would be appreciated.

Is there any consitency in the level of proficiency based on age? For example, will a 6th grade class under SMOE have the same general proficiency in Mokdong school v. a Kangam school?

Do they use ACTFL levels at all for assesment? (novice mid, novice high, etc...)

Is there a teaching method that is more popular over there? ie TPR v. suggestopedia v. grammar translation v. direct method? I'm assuming communicative is the most emphasised.

Thanks in advance

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

Basically what will happen is they will throw you in a classroom with 40 students and a Korean and tell you to "Teach English." Don't expect to be given a textbook, advice, or support. Do expect to be told to be interesting and to spend a lot of time wondering what in the hell you are going to teach. Bring ESL books from home.

fwiw my coworkers are great. I was just a little upset when I arrived and there was no structure at all in place...but to be fair I am their second FT, so things are getting better.

JoelCosmeJr · Joined: 01 Mar 2006

I worked at a hagwon for 2 years and just made the move to public this sep. I am the only foreigner, though not a problem because I have 7 Korean co-teachers who speak English well and are nice. There is not real set curriculum. I was given a book with themes I am suppose to use as a guide, though it is mostly useless. The amount of time teaching compared to the hagwon is a lot less, an actual lunch break, and the breaks between classea are not filled with me trying to make copies and rush to get ready for the next class. The 40-45 kids are a bit of a handful most of the time, but the K-teacher helps keep them in line.

There are a lot of good hagwons out there and depending on your educational background (especially if you have an Ivy league or degree from a prestigious school) you can easily make 3times what public school teachers make, though with more work invovled. After the last 2 years, I see this public school job as a break. I do my best to make sure the kids leave with some knowledge of English, a bit of practice in speaking, and a fairly fun time in class. from what I hear, public schools are not much different than hagwons when it comes to liking the job itself. hit or miss.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Atavistic · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:24 pm Post subject:

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Public schools are a bit of a crap shoot.
Talk with your head teacher she will tell you exactly what they want.
Its important to give them what they want because if you don't you will find yourself in white water without a paddle.

Being the human tape recorder is not a bad idea. Few chances of conflict go teach the proper textbook and everyones happy.