Korean Job Discussion Forums

kiwib · Joined: 03 Jul 2007

I have just been offered a contract working a split shift 7-10am and again at 6-9 pm.

Apart from this the contract and the job sound great (its the new YBM in Busan i posted previously about)...

... But the way i see it i'd have to go to bed straight away when i get home after the evening shift in order to get up for the morning one on time... then i cant go far cos ive got to be back later in the day... it means no socialising on evenings at all midweek...

unless i have half my sleep in the afternoon then just a few hours on a night.... but thats not really practical... quite ridiculous probably...

i really want to accept this contract, ive been looking for ages, and everything apart from the split sounds really cool.... are split shifts really a killer.... can anyone give me their opinion on working the split shift...?

In writing this post its made me think about it more, and i'm even more firm in mind that the split shift wouldn't be for me..... can anyone give some positives...?
Aaaaarggggh!!!

Gutted!
Dan

reactionary · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: korreia

don't do it. ever heard of a biological clock? don't mess with it. other jobs out there to be had.

kimchi_pizza · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:04 pm Post subject:

Sorry man, I don't know 'bout other teachers but there's no way that would work for me. Once I'm inna a groove I wanna keep going without any lengthy breaks. Split shifts mess up my timing and even though they're only 3-4 hours shots, they still seem to consume the entire day.

If the contract is as good as you say, then at least it's a chance to gain experience as I assume you'll be teaching very different age groups. Probably kindy/elementary students in the morning and high school/college/adult in the evenings. A lot of prep will probably be needed.

The_Eyeball_Kid · Joined: 20 Jun 2007

It's tough but you can get used to it. Make sure you have hobbies and interests that you can focus on in your free afternoons or you'll waste a hell of a lot of time.

Split shifts are often the price you pay for teaching adults, unless you can get into a good school who have the managerial skill to arrange it a little better. (As a 'for instance', I work a late shift one day and an early the next, but it's arranged in such a way that I do the same number of hours as if I was doing a split shift, meaning that I get a lot of free time and only have to get up really early twice a week.)

Zolt · Joined: 18 May 2006

You can socialize on weekends. If you've got something you really want to dedicate to, such as getting back in shape, learning korean, or make loads of cash doing privates a shift like yours can be very convenient, since you're at your peak between the shifts.

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

Split shifts suck big time. You can't earn "extra" money. Pay is low, and fundamentally hours are long. Do it and you'll regret it, unless your happy earning Jack, and living like a monk.

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

YBM in Seoul used to rotate teachers between split and block shifts.3 months of feeling very tired at work,not seeing the sun in winter,feeling rushed for time etc.Then 3 months of relatively normal.

Talk to teachers there about their shifts.Don't trust management cos' when your turn for a block shift is meant to come,they might say it was a "misunderstanding",which would massively suck and minus a letter of release,you'd be stuck with it.

3 months of split shifts you can resign yourself to,more than that,I'd tell them no.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

You can't really do private teaching with that schedule because those are the peak times when everyone wants a private teacher!

ceesgetdegrees · Joined: 12 Jul 2007

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

sojourner1 · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:18 pm Post subject:

Looks like it would be a good job for someone who rises early and goes to bed shortly after work who climbs mountains and goes to the gym during the day as well as eat the bulk of their food early in the day. It looks like a very healthy way to go if are inclined to be self discipline enough to not be staying out late at dinners with your students and friends such as samgyeopsal with alcohol. It would be hard to resist not going out late to drink, especially knowing more adults from teaching adults which is the catch 22 that will make you burn the candle at both ends and become super exhausted to the point of it wearing your health down.

It theory it could be the best way to go where as you exercise a lot and eat the majority of your food early in the day, but those late night dinners and drinking with adult students and friends will getcha. I have never taught an adult split shift, but I sorta do at a kids hagwon. I like the long lunch break to work out, eat, and run errands such as paying bills or going to a doctor. I am still inclined to go out with friends, eat, and drink beer in the evening on week nights though which is keeping me from being my best.