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New to S. Korea ESL teaching

 
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lookingtoteach



Joined: 18 Feb 2003

PostPosted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 11:52 am    Post subject: New to S. Korea ESL teaching Reply with quote

Hi! I'm going to S. Korea (Don't know where yet!) in January to teach and wonder if there's any tips to me. What should I bring? What should I expect? Thanks.

lookingtoteach (aka Jennifer)
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Clutch Cargo



Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Location: Sim City 2005

PostPosted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hit the 'search' facility above. Type in relevent key words. Heaps of stuff there. Good luck.
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chronicpride



Joined: 16 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 2:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Derrek and I just posted some tips on a similar thread. Check it out.
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hellofaniceguy



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: On your computer screen!

PostPosted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 11:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You done the first good thing, ask here. Just do a search and you'll get all the info you need and it's current.
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crazylemongirl



Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Location: almost there...

PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

also try the FAQ section.

CLG
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shawner88



Joined: 01 Feb 2003

PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't do it! You still have time to cancel the trip! It's a jungle here!

You've been warned.
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lookingtoteach



Joined: 18 Feb 2003

PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I didn't mean how do I find a job, though I do appreciate the responses. I am using a recruiter. I meant what should I expect in teaching? What should I bring with me? I've taught kids and adults here in Canada, how different is it teaching in Korea? Are there good methodologies I should use? Culture-wise, what should I expect? I've done research, but nothing is better than first hand experiences rather than encyclopedia and 'google' responses. Thanks.

Jennifer
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Austin



Joined: 23 May 2003
Location: In the kitchen

PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:01 pm    Post subject: Only one... Reply with quote

Jennifer,

It might be best if you resist taking any expectations with you, as they may well only serve to set you up for failure when they are not met. Try to take your experience for exactly what it is, nothing more, nothing less.

Your question of what to pack is something only you can answer, as every person has different needs. Some people are fine with using Korean products, while others can not function without specific products from home. If you have specific needs, you might consider asking whether certain products are available here, as it may be more helpful.

I doubt any of your previous classes were the same, so why would you want to begin by making comparisons to your new classes. Try taking them for what they are and making them your own, as teaching is teaching, no matter where you are.

Your personality, character, disposition, appearance, energy, etc. will determine much of your experience. You may think you need to seek first hand accounts, but I caution you on how you apply it to yourself. After all, you have so many different people over here with so many different histories, that you need to take the messenger into account.

Do you want to take advice from a bitter forty-something character with the idea of a good time as a night alone with a bottle of soju?

That might be your idea of a successful experience, but other people seek more out of life.

The choice is yours to make.

Good luck.

Austin
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just because



Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964

PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Austin,
Sometimes you can be a real pain in the bum HOWEVER that last post wasbrilliant advice. Don't bring any expectations with you and take a lot of what you read on here with a grain of salt, people only usually report bad experiences and not good ones(which there are many). However, the advice people do post here is a useful tool. Smile
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Butterfly



Joined: 02 Mar 2003
Location: Kuwait

PostPosted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 8:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

lookingtoteach wrote:
I didn't mean how do I find a job, though I do appreciate the responses. I am using a recruiter. I meant what should I expect in teaching? What should I bring with me? I've taught kids and adults here in Canada, how different is it teaching in Korea? Are there good methodologies I should use? Culture-wise, what should I expect? I've done research, but nothing is better than first hand experiences rather than encyclopedia and 'google' responses. Thanks.

Jennifer


Assuming you have your TEFL Certificate, methods are really pretty much the same, don't worry.

If you don't have your TEFL Certificate, or any language education training then I suggest you take it before you come if you want to be successful here more rapidly. And being successful and popular in your job really is a springboard, for making a success of things in your life outside the school. People who don't cut it in their jobs, I have found, are really pretty unhappy generally in their lives.

Only the experience itself can really prepare you for the experience of living in Korea, but when I came I found the book 'Culture shock Korea' very interesting and useful. on how best to conduct oneself.
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jpal75



Joined: 16 Apr 2003
Location: NeverNeverLand

PostPosted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 11:17 pm    Post subject: teaching methodologies Reply with quote

lookingtoteach wrote:
I meant what should I expect in teaching? What should I bring with me? I've taught kids and adults here in Canada, how different is it teaching in Korea? Are there good methodologies I should use? Culture-wise, what should I expect?


Teaching in Korea varies greatly on your employment. There are some language institutes that publish their own texts and requires you to teach from it directly. Others have their own text except they don't bother translating it in English so you're left trying to figure out what the pretty pictures really mean. Or in my case, I was shoved in a classroom and was told to "teach English". Simple. Confused
Lucky I've 4 years of classroom teaching in Oz and I just apply the methodologies I know that worked for me. Just remember to be nice BUT firm. Discipline is important here and since a lot of foreigners don't agree with corporal punishment you end up losing your voice at the end of the day (I teach a class of 35: min) . When I was working in a hagwan (max 12kids) it was sweet.
Regarding understanding the Culture. Keep an open mind. Relax. Don't forget to laugh and not to take things too seriously.
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buddy bradley



Joined: 24 Aug 2003
Location: The Beyond

PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 11:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

just because is a tool. Listen to Shawner88.
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kiwiboy_nz_99



Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Location: ...Enlightenment...

PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 12:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I doubt any of your previous classes were the same, so why would you want to begin by making comparisons to your new classes

Because it's very useful to know if things are going to be significantly different than what she has already experienced. People make comparisons all the time, it's a vital function that we couldn't live without.

Quote:
as teaching is teaching, no matter where you are.

No it's not. Your teaching experience with differ wildly depending on where you are, who you teach, and who you work for.

Quote:
Your personality, character, disposition, appearance, energy, etc. will determine much of your experience

But who you work for, who your students are, your fellow staff, and the mothers ( if it's a Hagwon ) will have a massive impact on your experience.

Quote:
You may think you need to seek first hand accounts, but I caution you on how you apply it to yourself. After all, you have so many different people over here with so many different histories, that you need to take the messenger into account.

This is so true, and so I think it only fair to warn you that Austen is a pious, pompous, self righteous, judgmental git with a major superiority complex and a large chip on his shoulder. He's not very well liked around here, and I would caution you to take anything he says with a grain of salt.

Good luck, I hope you have a great time! Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
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