|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| How far through the Korean education system did/will/would you put your children? |
| No formal education in Korea for my children |
|
19% |
[ 16 ] |
| Part way through or up to the end of kindergarten |
|
13% |
[ 11 ] |
| Part way through or up to the end of elementary school |
|
24% |
[ 20 ] |
| Part way through or up to the end of middle school |
|
6% |
[ 5 ] |
| Part way through or up to the end of high school |
|
3% |
[ 3 ] |
| All the way through, including graduating a Korean university |
|
6% |
[ 5 ] |
| Depends heavily on personal circumstances |
|
9% |
[ 8 ] |
| International schools only |
|
13% |
[ 11 ] |
| Other (Please specify) |
|
2% |
[ 2 ] |
|
| Total Votes : 81 |
|
| Author |
Message |
Cheonmunka
Joined: 04 Jun 2004
|
 Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
It's funny working through different ways for you to respond to the cat calls.
I've tried many ways. Yet, haven't really developed a mechanism. Each time gets a different response based on my mood, and the type of call. I gave some boys yelling at me from a bus the finger once. That provoked a hearty response. I sometimes stopped to argue some boys about calling to strangers. That's consuming and makes me seem like a fool standing in the street telling boys off.
I may completely ignore, like I can't hear.
So far I haven't developed any response which satisfies me. It all seems stressful. At least they don't pull knives on us. But then, maybe that would be more exciting and after such a meeley leave us feeling refreshed, or a little bloody. But then, we'd be put in the slammer.
So, what to do then???
PS: About homeschool. It seems odd to me. I was brought up through the system. I thought homeschool is only reserved for the Thomas Hardy types who have nine children who after collecting the eggs, milked the cows and finished all their chores attend school in the house with the aunts.
I can't see how it works in an urban space.
PPS: About international schools: What we on here are mostly facing is cost. I have never ever seriously considered paying more than I have to for anything in Korea. To fork out 20k for a year's schooling for one child would be sensless for me. I have to attend to the mortgage for the houses (I have to upkeep one here and pay the mortgage down on the one there because I have to keep a hand in where the future lies - which ain't here for middle/high school. But that's my wife's decision and planning.) Having one's children attending an international school for me would mean no house.
I know some people who are quite rich. All is well for them in financial regard and the only barr is what is available. However, when I look closely at what is available I am not really impressed. Not good enough to sacrifice my mortgage for.
Hence, it doesn't concern me that my children attend public schools. I would say it's not perfect, but I have no gripes at the public school system. I would gripe more with the private schools.
Does your wife request that you start looking for work at an international school so your kids can get cheaper ed? Mine does. I am a cert. high school teacher but can't bring myself to apply. I feel that there is always so much in-fighting and hustling when working with crowds of foreign teachers. I've never really enjoyed that. I just can't bring myself to do it.
Even though one gains credit, cudos, working for a name brand, I just can't do it.
Anyway, where I am now is completely female. It's not so bad.
Last edited by Cheonmunka on Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:25 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
bellum99
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: don't need to know
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| My son goes to school during the day and I homeschool him at night. It is not as easy as people think. It is hard to work all day and come home to teach him. The homeschool program is from Canada (we are from Canada) and it is accredited. It is fairly good but it is almost impossible to communicate with the co-teacher in Canada. The time difference makes it very hard and the course was expensive. The hardest part is to actually do it everyday....I do, but it is hard. I think most people could not properly homeschool because it is easy to become lazy. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cheonmunka
Joined: 04 Jun 2004
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| That's not only interesting but a very good idea Bellum. So, you are saying that while your son learns thru the system here, he is also paving his way for entry into Canada. That's cool. Hard for you. What a good thing to do though. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Cheonmunka wrote: |
Does your wife request that you start looking for work at an international school so your kids can get cheaper ed? Mine does. I am a cert. high school teacher but can't bring myself to apply. I feel that there is always so much in-fighting and hustling when working with crowds of foreign teachers. I've never really enjoyed that. I just can't bring myself to do it.
Even though one gains credit, cudos, working for a name brand, I just can't do it.
Anyway, where I am now is completely female. It's not so bad. |
When I read the above I had to wonder if there is something wrong with you, such as you have a mark on your record from your home state/province.
If you are a certified teacher, and you are worried about the education of your children, WHY in the hell wouldn't you want one of those jobs? The pay is better than what you are probably doing now. The better schools give apartments - as you have a wife and kids, you would get a much bigger apartment than those single people get. That right there ensures that you don't need to maintain two mortgages.
The bolded part is perhaps the strangest thing of all. You don't like working with other foreign teachers? So that means while you are in Korea, you are never going to work with other foreigners? International high schools, especially the GOOD ones, hire PROFESSIONALS. The difference between that type of job and your Korean <insert job here> is that for all those Korean jobs, one doesn't have to belong to a professional organization. Being a certified teacher is a huge step up from the majority of teachers in Korea.
I can also read into the bolded part that you do not like working with other members of your race - is that what you were asserting?
I can understand if you have a hawgwon job or a job at a Korean school there tends to be a lot of ESL trash that gravitates to those positions. It is perhaps the biggest reason for me going back to university in order to get a B.Ed...so that I could start working with more professional people. However, I think you need to explain why you wouldn't be willing to go teach in an International School if you have the qualifications for it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cheonmunka
Joined: 04 Jun 2004
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
The pay is better than what you are probably doing now. The better schools give apartments - as you have a wife and kids, you would get a much bigger apartment than those single people get. That right there ensures that you don't need to maintain two mortgages.
|
I found that interesting. I have no blotches at all. I have also worked in Korea for ten years. Where I work now I work four days a week from 10:30am to 4pm. I get six weeks holiday per year. The pay is more than I see offered anywhere else incl. universities. My own chonsei'd house is 40 pyong. I couldn't get much bigger than that. So, as I said, I upkeep a house here and pay a mortgage on a NZ house.
When I worked at one school (which was anspiring to be an international school) there really was a lot of in-fighting for any positions between all staff, not just foreign teachers. (I was only concentrating before on one small aspect of it, sorry to offend.) There was quite a turnover of all staff. The curriculum also could not be implemented adequately with the resources and facilities of the school. (Something I see all the time in Korea, in schools private and public.) The position I now have has allowed me to really expand on methodology. I am not restricted in any way. At the same time I am considered by my employer as 'one of the family' as I know her personally and the staff know my family.
I once attended Chungang University for a position that was held for me. It turned out that the employer there wanted to turn a few tricks and was screwy. So, I have stayed away from universities, and possibly all those places as I said that would require me to work with others, for that reason and above. It's a little stressful. And, it often seems like a con.
I disagree that there are few foreign certified teachers. There are more foreign people seeking work than there ever was before.
Also, employers don't just seek someone with the right qualifications. They seek someone malleable and willing to cede conditions. I haven't found any employer yet, except for my present place, where what I have proposed in terms of conditions or curriculum or method is accepted and fully utilized.
I just don't feel a need to subject myself again to the ridiculousness of it all. I am quite happy where I am. But, alas, my wife feels it would better for the children to seek a position at an international school. She agrees with you. I would agree with you if I weren't so wary about what's out there.
I think we each have to find our own happiness. Once you have found it, would you let it go? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Countrygirl
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Location: in the classroom
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bellum99 wrote: |
| My son goes to school during the day and I homeschool him at night. It is not as easy as people think. It is hard to work all day and come home to teach him. The homeschool program is from Canada (we are from Canada) and it is accredited. It is fairly good but it is almost impossible to communicate with the co-teacher in Canada. The time difference makes it very hard and the course was expensive. The hardest part is to actually do it everyday....I do, but it is hard. I think most people could not properly homeschool because it is easy to become lazy. |
Interesting info on the homeschooling. I'm curious why the course is expensive...Isn't homeschooling in Canada is free?
I didn't look into it because I thought that my kids could just go into whatever grade they are supposed to be in, like Korean kids do when they go to Canada. Now I wonder if I should be concerned. I am one of those types that probably could not properly homeschool as you mentioned above.
I find many people are exclusively homeschooling their kids in Korea. I find it irritating when homeschooling parents desperately want to use my kids so that their kids can get some sort of social interaction. (I'm not referring to parents who try to organize playdates between their kids and their friends. The parents I'm referring to live far away, it's always a big production to get together and the parents are clearly using my kids. This has happened in Canada as well.)
I think it is admirable that you are using both the Korean school system and Canadian homeschooling.
Last edited by Countrygirl on Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Cheonmunka wrote: |
| Quote: |
The pay is better than what you are probably doing now. The better schools give apartments - as you have a wife and kids, you would get a much bigger apartment than those single people get. That right there ensures that you don't need to maintain two mortgages.
|
I found that interesting. I have worked in Korea for ten years. I have no blotches at all. Where I work now I work four days a week from 10:30am to 4pm. I get six weeks holiday per year. The pay is more than I see offered anywhere else incl. universities. My own chonsei'd house is 40 pyong. I couldn't get much bigger than that. So, as I said, I upkeep a house here and pay a mortgage on a NZ house.
When I worked at one school (which was anspiring to be an international school) there really was a lot of in-fighting for any positions between all staff, not just foreign teachers. There was quite a turnover of staff. The curriculum also could not be implemented adequately with the resources and facilities of the school. (Something I see all the time in Korea, in schools private and public.) The position I now have has allowed me to really expand on methodology. I am not restricted in any way. At the same time I am considered by my employer as 'one of the family' as I know her personally and the staff know my family.
I once attended Chungang University for a position that was held for me. It turned out that the employer there wanted to turn a few tricks and was screwy. So, I have stayed away from universities, and possibly all those places as I said that would require me to work with others, for that reason and above. It's a little stressful. And, it often seems like a con.
I just don't feel a need to subject myself again to the ridiculousness of it all. I am quite happy where I am. But, alas, my wife feels it would better for the children to seek a position at an international school. She agrees with you. I would agree with you if I weren't so wary about changing jobs. |
The better (and I guess I mean the best) International Schools in Seoul pay over 40mil/won a year to start plus give housing and airfare. Additionally, they will allow up to 2 of your children to attend the school free of cost. Considering you have two children, if you equated 20mil a year for tuition, that job is actually worth 80mil a year + the housing and annual airfare home. Teaching jobs where I am from start at roughly 40,000 CDN a year, with a cap around 75-80,000 CDN a year after your 15 or 18 year mark. The thing is, in Canada rents or mortgages plus taxes eat up so much of that money, that realistically, the 40mil to start is like 55k to start in Canada.
There is a reason is is very hard to get into the best International schools in Seoul - they are one of the sweetest deals going. I am not sure on apartment size, as I only know of 1 guy who worked in one and he didn't have kids. He is married though and gets a pretty big place for just them - like 20-25 pyung.
In a professional school environment, foreign teachers should never be fighting each other for positions. Your experience sounds like you were at a Mickey Mouse type of school.
I was pretty happy with my old job. I was making more than what a starting teacher at an International School might make, just like you assert you do. However, when you think of children and the costs of International Schools, it leaves one with two options (unless they are rich) - go back to your home country or teach at an International School and get free tuition for your kids.
Let me add one more piece of the puzzle for you:
Can your husband make the same or more in NZ as he makes here?
Though it may sound like I am trying to sell you on International Schools, I just think you don't realize the vast economic benefits of staying in Korea if you can score one of those jobs and your significant other has a decent job here as well. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Can your husband make the same or more in NZ as he makes here?
|
Um......Cheonmunka is a man, btw. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Ilsanman wrote: |
| Quote: |
Can your husband make the same or more in NZ as he makes here?
|
Um......Cheonmunka is a man, btw. |
LOL  Has me wondering even more about the not wanting to work with other foreigners comment...typically guys over here take things in stride...the way Cheonmunka was going on about it being stressful, well, I assumed it was a woman posting.
And the avatar with the pink bedroom...well, hell that was the clincher. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cheonmunka
Joined: 04 Jun 2004
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 2:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
Mr. Pink, Mr Pink
Loved the color but was afraid to say,
"My name is Mr. Pink,"
I hope you don't think I'm gay.
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bellum99
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: don't need to know
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 2:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Countrygirl wrote: |
| bellum99 wrote: |
| My son goes to school during the day and I homeschool him at night. It is not as easy as people think. It is hard to work all day and come home to teach him. The homeschool program is from Canada (we are from Canada) and it is accredited. It is fairly good but it is almost impossible to communicate with the co-teacher in Canada. The time difference makes it very hard and the course was expensive. The hardest part is to actually do it everyday....I do, but it is hard. I think most people could not properly homeschool because it is easy to become lazy. |
Interesting info on the homeschooling. I'm curious why the course is expensive...Isn't homeschooling in Canada is free?
I didn't look into it because I thought that my kids could just go into whatever grade they are supposed to be in, like Korean kids do when they go to Canada. Now I wonder if I should be concerned. I am one of those types that probably could not properly homeschool as you mentioned above.
I find many people are exclusively homeschooling their kids in Korea. I find it irritating when homeschooling parents desperately want to use my kids so that their kids can get some sort of social interaction. (I'm not referring to parents who try to organize playdates between their kids and their friends. The parents I'm referring to live far away, it's always a big production to get together and the parents are clearly using my kids. This has happened in Canada as well.)
I think it is admirable that you are using both the Korean school system and Canadian homeschooling. |
I have to send the material we finish back to Canada to the co-teacher there. I have to send any tests and finished materials through the mail and that gets expensive (somewhat). The course was about $1300 for a year including all the materials which were sent to me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Homer
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
Bellum...that is very interesting man.
Which program is it. It could be of some use to many expats with kids here.
The combination you describe is pretty interesting. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Countrygirl
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Location: in the classroom
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bellum99 wrote: |
| Countrygirl wrote: |
| bellum99 wrote: |
| My son goes to school during the day and I homeschool him at night. It is not as easy as people think. It is hard to work all day and come home to teach him. The homeschool program is from Canada (we are from Canada) and it is accredited. It is fairly good but it is almost impossible to communicate with the co-teacher in Canada. The time difference makes it very hard and the course was expensive. The hardest part is to actually do it everyday....I do, but it is hard. I think most people could not properly homeschool because it is easy to become lazy. |
Interesting info on the homeschooling. I'm curious why the course is expensive...Isn't homeschooling in Canada is free?
I didn't look into it because I thought that my kids could just go into whatever grade they are supposed to be in, like Korean kids do when they go to Canada. Now I wonder if I should be concerned. I am one of those types that probably could not properly homeschool as you mentioned above.
|
I have to send the material we finish back to Canada to the co-teacher there. I have to send any tests and finished materials through the mail and that gets expensive (somewhat). The course was about $1300 for a year including all the materials which were sent to me. |
I see what you mean about expensive. Is any part of the price which is a deposit that you would get back if you sent back the books? I am wondering if Canadian homeschooling is something that I should look into.
Last edited by Countrygirl on Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:38 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Cheonmunka wrote: |
Mr. Pink, Mr Pink
Loved the color but was afraid to say,
"My name is Mr. Pink,"
I hope you don't think I'm gay.
|
Guess you've never seen Reservoir Dogs...
Steve Buscemi did an outstanding job as: Mr. Pink
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105236/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Scotticus
Joined: 18 Mar 2007
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Homer wrote: |
But you took one part of a post from an ongoing discussion on a larger topic and used it to make a useless. I responded and then you used a quip to quote me...come on man be honest enough to have a complete debate....
|
Good lord, you just don't quit. At what point did I enter into a "complete debate?" I never said I did, nor did I intend to. I wasn't commenting on the "larger topic," I was commenting on ONE thing you said, which I clearly quoted in the post so everyone KNEW what I was commenting on. If you're confused by that, I apologize. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
