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eac02
Joined: 23 Jan 2008
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 Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject: Differences in Seoul public schools? |
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This may be a stupid question but, is there a large variation in the quality of public schools in Seoul? Or more to the point is there a Seoul �ghetto�?
I�ve been substitute teaching occasionally in a good size city and the difference between some of the public schools is night and day. I don�t mind occasionally working at these �rough� schools, the metal detectors and security guards help ease my nerves a little, but I wouldn�t want to spend a year in a school where I had to worry a kid might pull a knife (or worse) on me or a classmate.
Everything I�ve read leads me to believe this is not a problem in Korea, am I correct? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: Differences in Seoul public schools? |
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| eac02 wrote: |
This may be a stupid question but, is there a large variation in the quality of public schools in Seoul? Or more to the point is there a Seoul �ghetto�?
I�ve been substitute teaching occasionally in a good size city and the difference between some of the public schools is night and day. I don�t mind occasionally working at these �rough� schools, the metal detectors and security guards help ease my nerves a little, but I wouldn�t want to spend a year in a school where I had to worry a kid might pull a knife (or worse) on me or a classmate.
Everything I�ve read leads me to believe this is not a problem in Korea, am I correct? |
There are different "levels" of schools (technical HS, academic HS, foreign language HS) usually based on academic ability. Same type of thing for middle schools.
Slum / inner city schools like you have in the states don't exist here to the same degree and there are no metal detectors at the doors.
It's not the kids you have to worry about, it is the male teachers with the bamboo canes. They can be pretty rough on the kids sometimes. Corporal punishment is alive and well here.
You are essentially correct in your thinking.
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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Every kid has a box cutter for cutting paper and art, but no one will threaten you with it. The kids have more respect for teachers here, and if though you won't be as respected as Korean teacher, there will be no threatening. Being stern and mean at first works well to get the respect here, too.
Seoul public schools (SMOE) usually put foreign teachers in poor areas first as those kids' families can't afford hogwans with foreign teachers. They are low level, but it's good for them to get some time with a native English speaker. |
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matthews_world
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| The kids have more respect for teachers here |
These days, a more representative statement would be that the student doesn't 'challenge' the authority of the teacher physically as one would find in the U.S.
But, yeah, as a whole, most students generally respect their teachers but it depends on the student and individual teacher.
Definitely the quality of the school in Seoul depends upon local economics, say a Gimpo vs. a Kangnam school. |
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