Korean Job Discussion Forums

[busan_boy2000]

Today my boss pulls me aside, and in a nutshell, tells me that the kids think I'm horrible. Feeling rather taken aback, obviously, I quickly regain my composure (understanding that his english is very bad and may not have meant to be so tactless) and ask what I am doing wrong. He tells that the kids are upset that we are studying and working so much.

I never thought I was making them work to hard - far from it, to be honest - we play english games usually and I only ask the bare minimum with regard to completing the set cirriculum (not like thats hard either). So now I'm told to show them more movies basically. OK - no skin off my back - that reduces my prep somedays to "Shrek" or "Spiderman".

But it feels like a waste of all of our time. So maybe I'm not complaining here - easy job, easy money.....but so pointless. Atleast they don't think I'm so horrible anymore.

[Bulsajo]

Hagwons aren't just for young kids and they're not just for learning English so I have to go with the "not black and white" vote.
Certainly some schools ARE simply that, which is why forums like these can be very useful...

[Dr. Buck]

This is where that thread about "professionalism" gets blasted out of the water, along with all of the other "are you a real teacher?" threads.

[Austin]

It seems rather unfair and misguided to lump all hagwons together, as there are so many different types of institutes and academies. Moreover, I seriously doubt whether most foreigners actually know and understand the differences. Much of the misgivings and grief that so many may feel may very well be attributed to their lack of appreciation and understanding of what their hagwons main objectives are (finding out prior to employment may well have prevented their circumstance). Therefore, if people are genuinely interested in knowing the facts, it would be in their best interests to seek out the true story.

Unfortunately, I do not believe that many here are actually interested in improving their situation. It seems they would rather find others that agree with them, so they can feel justified in their narrow view. However, we all know that that seldom leads to a solution.

If you were employed as a "Chef" (in title) in a fast food restaurant, would you feel justified in complaining about having to make burgers and fries all day long? I find it a bit strange, considering that you do not have any formal training as a "Chef," yet want to be treated like one. Those with little or no knowledge of Korean mistake their hagwon for a quality institute, though Koreans know better. Upon discovering their true situation, many are unable to bridge that gap.

Fast food restaurants advertise the "quality" of their food, but educated, literate people are not fooled (without the cultural background and a little language ability, I suppose an alien might be confused upon entering a FFR).

I suggest you might want to consider what your duties really are going to be upon taking employment in certain Hagwons. Just because your "title" is a "teacher," your responsibilities may be quite a bit different.

The practice of wrapping yourself up in a "name" may very well be preventing you from making that necessary adjustment!

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[busan_boy2000]

[Zed]

My experience at 2 hogwaons here has left me with the impression:

There are 3 types of parents of hogwon kids.
1. Those who want their kids to learn English.
2. Those who want to get their kids out of their hair.
3. Those who want to keep up with the Joneses. "My sister-in-law sends her kids to a hogwon.What will people think of me if I don't."

2 and 3 are what make the job cra p.

[ratslash]

[Ilsanman]

The job of 'babysitter' in Korea, either doesn't exist or is nearly non-existant.

Kudos to Kiwiboy or whomever it was who made Austin look like a total fool.

[just because]

It depends on the ages of the kids doesn't it. The younger ones, of course its a day care centre where they run wild. The older they become the less the muck around and the more it is on them to learn. Defiantly some of my classes would be right at home in a child-care centre in Australia but from Elementary 5th. up it is a lot different.
I think between Elementary 5th. and Middle 2nd. is the best time. The have enough energy to learn but can channel it more constructively than when they were younger. After middle 2nd. most don't want to learn mianly form the fact that they are pushed so hard and are too tired. Some do want to learn but the majority of high schoolers would rather watch grass grow.

[Guri Guy]

Kudos to Kiwiboy. Very well thought out rebuttal. I totally agree about the 3 types of Hagwan kids as well. It's good to know that there are other teachers that feel the same way as me.

[ratslash]

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[ratslash]

fair enough.