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deebee
Joined: 27 Apr 2008
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 Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject: Preparation time for teaching in Korea |
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Hi. I'm going to Korea to live and teach. This will be my second time in Korea. The first time was last year for only two months. Now, I'm getting ready to go by reading these posts and doing research. I have a degree, certificate, and have been teaching adult ESL classes in the US (which are 3 hours long, each class). Here are a few questions:
1) If I teach in a hogwon (I see different spellings for this so please forgive me), then how much preparation time is generally involved?
2) Do the institutions typically supply the books/materials that are needed for teaching?
3) Are there typically copiers on the premises?
4) If you do bring your own books, resources, what's the most efficient way that you take them along with you (backpack, trolley, etc)?
5) Is there A/V equipment available?
6) Is the curriculum set by the institution, or do the teachers have freedom to be different and spontaneous?
7) Online, I have seen pictures of the typical apartments provided by hogwan institutions and although I'm not so undaunted by the small size, I do wonder if anyone has been able to have unwanted furniture or items taken away. For instance, in the online picture on the bed there were bedclothes. I'm planning to bring my own and I wouldn't want to store the others.
 How many inches of space is under a typical bed?
That's it for now. DeeBee |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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Some apartments can be VERY small.
You're touching on a very sensitive subject. Many crappy hagwons BURY teachers with all kinds of unpaid "prep" work.
I have been in this situation in hagwons and others, especially those at KJC, report hellish situations with "books" and copiers.
If you must bring your own materials, you are working at a crapwon. |
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deebee
Joined: 27 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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Dear wylies 99,
Thanks for the tip. Actually, I'm not getting a job before going. My friends that live in Korea (Korean and Americans) told me the best thing is to just go over and live with them until a job comes along.
I have a bunch of ESL materials here. The places where I teach here provide the books, but most of them need to be supplemented. Have you found this to be the case in Korea?
Do you know how much space is under the bed? This sounds like a funny question, but I'm picky about what I see in a place I hate to see luggage, so I'm thinking of bringing two rolling 30" duffle bags and a rolling 22" carry-on duffle, hoping they will fit under the bed.
In the face of questionable hagwons, this last question seems so trivial  |
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polonius
Joined: 05 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject: Re: Preparation time for teaching in Korea |
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I will answer your questions based on what we have at my hogwon:
| deebee wrote: |
1) If I teach in a hogwon (I see different spellings for this so please forgive me), then how much preparation time is generally involved?
We ask our teachers to prepare roughly 40 minutes for their classes. We contract our teachers for 6 50 minute periods per day, and our teachers are on site from 2-930. Within that time they also get a 40 minute lunch.
2) Do the institutions typically supply the books/materials that are needed for teaching?
We supply books, syllabi, tests, and any extra materials that are required to run an effective class. The academy should provide all materials. As wylies said, if they don't, you will be working for a shady place.
3) Are there typically copiers on the premises?
We have 2 photocopiers per office. We have roughly 20 teachers in each office. And we have 10 computers per office.
4) If you do bring your own books, resources, what's the most efficient way that you take them along with you (backpack, trolley, etc)?
Don't bring any materials. If you feel the necessity to use materials that the academy doesn't provide, you can find books here.
5) Is there A/V equipment available?
We don't have A/V equipment in our classrooms, however, by the end of the year, we will have computers and projectors in each classroom.
6) Is the curriculum set by the institution, or do the teachers have freedom to be different and spontaneous?
Because we have 2500 students at one campus, we have had to create a standard curriculum so that there is continuity from teacher to teacher. That said, how the materials are implemented is entirely up to the teacher. There must be some flexibility in delivery, as what works for one teacher or one student, may not work for another teacher and another student. We ask our teachers to adapt to the dynamic of the class so that every student benefits from the lesson.
7) Online, I have seen pictures of the typical apartments provided by hogwan institutions and although I'm not so undaunted by the small size, I do wonder if anyone has been able to have unwanted furniture or items taken away. For instance, in the online picture on the bed there were bedclothes. I'm planning to bring my own and I wouldn't want to store the others.
The apartments we provide are 15 pyeong. (1 pyeong=3.3 square meters) I offer to show applicants pictures of the apartments. I suppose if a teacher doesn't want some of the furnishings, I could store it in my storage space. However, we provide new linen every time a new teacher moves in. So if you requested no linen, that wouldn't be a problem.
How many inches of space is under a typical bed?
I just measured under my bed, and there are six inches of height. However, the beds here don't have box springs, and instead have a plastic base, which has legs spread out underneath the bed. So, you won't be able to use all the space under the bed. We can still store some stuff there.
That's it for now. DeeBee |
Hope that helps.
Ah, I just saw you had mentioned something else. Note that if you have NOT had a working visa in this country, you may be required to have the necessary interview in your home country. I have heard of people managing to do the interview in Japan, but I don't know from first hand experience. The regulations state that if you haven't had a visa in Korea, you MUST have an interview at the Korean embassy in your country. |
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deebee
Joined: 27 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Polonius,
Thanks for answering so quickly - and for measuring under your bed! I guess that I'll bring the books I use alot and leave the rest here. Adult ESL books aren't geared toward kids and academic content anyway.
Where is your hogwon? I'm looking to live in Nowon Gu, Jungye dong.
Should I contact you once I get to Korea?
DeeBee |
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polonius
Joined: 05 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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That is exactly where my Academy is. We are the biggest elementary academy in the neighborhood.
I will PM you. |
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deebee
Joined: 27 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Polonius,
I'm a dunce when it comes to posting things and "post-talk", for I have no clue what "PM you" means.
If it helps, the plans are to come to Korea in late August, around the 22nd. I've been teaching for 2 1/2 years as an adult ESL instructor, plus I've taught kids. Currently, I'm tutoring a 16 year old girl that's from Korea. Her parents sent her here to learn English. This weekend she's going to teach me how to make hodukk.
DB |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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You taught here for 2 months last year? What visa did you have?
You are also aware that unless you have previously had an E2 that you will be required to have a consular interview in your home country BEFORE you can acquire an E2? |
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deebee
Joined: 27 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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Hi. I was in Korea for two months on a tourist visa. I didn't teach, just visited.
That's good advice about the consular interview. I thought that if I went to Korea and got everything in order for a working visa that I could do a visa run in Japan, and get it there.
Did you have a consular interview?
DeeBee |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| deebee wrote: |
Hi. I was in Korea for two months on a tourist visa. I didn't teach, just visited.
That's good advice about the consular interview. I thought that if I went to Korea and got everything in order for a working visa that I could do a visa run in Japan, and get it there.
Did you have a consular interview?
DeeBee |
Nope. I've been here more than 6 months.
New rules came into effect on December 15, 2007.
Newbies MUST have their documents apostilled (or if you are Canadian - certified by the Korean embassy).
Newbies MUST have an interview at the Korean consulate in their home country before they can get an E2.
documents NOW include a criminal background check.
AFTER arrival and BEFORE you can be issued your ARC (alien registration card) you must have a medical check. This check includes testing for:
drug use, STDs, HIV/AIDS, and other communicable diseases. Any positive test will result in a removal order (voluntary deportation).
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valkerie
Joined: 02 Mar 2007
Location: Busan
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Something fishy about the OP......... |
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Zaria32
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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I've worked at two hogwons in two cities. Both have been good experiences. In answer to your questions:
Both had set, but flexible curriculum. Both had materials.
Both were willing to have me add some additional resources, but not a whole new bunch of materials.
Both had copiers, computers, computer labs.
One was much better organized than the other.
In one apartment (I was first ever native teacher for this school) furnishings were minimal (bed, table, two chairs, wardrobe, kitchen stuff, refrig, washer, two burner stove) but it was a really wonderful 2 BR with terrific light and great view. Second apartment was on 15th floor of typical Korean highrise, crammed with furniture, could have come with a napsack and moved right in, one bedroom, kitchen/eating area, nice living room, not small.
Look before you leap and you'll probably land well... |
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DongtanTony
Joined: 22 Feb 2008
Location: Bundang
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject: Re: Preparation time for teaching in Korea |
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| deebee wrote: |
1) If I teach in a hogwon (I see different spellings for this so please forgive me), then how much preparation time is generally involved?
Working hours can be different than teaching hours. We do seven working hours/day at my school...27 teaching hours per week...the difference is prep time. With our additional administrative duties, the prep time is nice to have. We don't "chain" teachers to their desks either...if you want to go out and grab a bite...no problem...as long as your work requirements are being met...we give teachers the freedom to fulfill their personal needs.
Note on prep time---I love it when posters whine about prep time...I'm a certified teacher from the states, former middle school social science teacher, I'd love to find one teacher in all of the US who gets paid for any amount of work that we consistently take home on a daily basis. Corrections, lesson planning, and preparation work are part of the job. That being said...for someone like yourself OP...with some teaching background...prep work here is laughable in comparison.
Some hagwons...just show up and teach...others will require corrections, progress reports, and in some cases quiz and test creation. Have your working hours, and teaching hours, outlined in your contract. Compare your salary to the amount of time you'll be there...if you're making 1.9 and working a 40 hour week...that's too low a salary and too much work. If you're making 2.2--2.5 and working 35 hours per week or less...that's closer to the industry average for hagwons.
2) Do the institutions typically supply the books/materials that are needed for teaching?
Absolutely they should. As polonius mentioned...there should also be some type of leveled progression of skills and continuity. He works for a much larger school than I do...however, in my smaller hagwon, we designed a 21 level course of study. Better schools will allow the teacher to be creative and bring in supplementary materials to support your lessons. If you're being told you can't deviate from the supplied curriculum...that can be problematic.
3) Are there typically copiers on the premises?
For any reputable school...there should be. We have two for a staff of nine teachers...color printers...and laminating machines. Some schools do...some don't. My first hagwon in Gumi had none of the above.
4) If you do bring your own books, resources, what's the most efficient way that you take them along with you (backpack, trolley, etc)?
I echo the sentiments of polonius...you shouldn't need to bring too much for you classes. If your personal desires are to have some additional materials that you might be able to draw from when the opportunity arises...if you can't transport them in your backpack...you're probably taking too much.
5) Is there A/V equipment available?
In our small school of nine teachers and approximately 300 students...we provide our teachers with their own classrooms that are equipped with computers, internet access, and a 42 inch flat panel TV monitor to support the addition of multi-media resources in the classroom. Again, my first school had none of the above, and I was roaming around from room to room during the day.
6) Is the curriculum set by the institution, or do the teachers have freedom to be different and spontaneous?
Both...last year I was in the situation that if we deviated to far from the school's curriculum...we were talked to. Needless to say, I didn't stay a second year with that school. This year...the polar opposite...established curriculum and schedules that allow for spontaneity and the identification of those teachable moments.
7) Online, I have seen pictures of the typical apartments provided by hogwan institutions and although I'm not so undaunted by the small size, I do wonder if anyone has been able to have unwanted furniture or items taken away. For instance, in the online picture on the bed there were bedclothes. I'm planning to bring my own and I wouldn't want to store the others.
Same as polonius, if you didn't want an item of furniture, we'd relocate it for you. I can't imagine this really happening too often...but if you wanted something out...we'd manage to take whatever it is you don't want away. Bedding...I often tell our applicants to possibly bring one spare set of sheets...maybe pillow cases...it's nice to have an additional set when you're doing laundry...but we also provide a brand new full set of bedding to every new teacher.
How many inches of space is under a typical bed?
I have the same plastic support system under our bed...there's not much storage space there.
That's it for now. DeeBee |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 12:55 am Post subject: Re: Preparation time for teaching in Korea |
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| deebee wrote: |
1) If I teach in a hogwon (I see different spellings for this so please forgive me), then how much preparation time is generally involved? |
It takes about two months to prepare (application to arrival in K-land) to teach at a hogwan/hakwan (or a public school).
| Quote: |
| 2) Do the institutions typically supply the books/materials that are needed for teaching? |
Yes, but they're incomprehensible crap.
| Quote: |
| 3) Are there typically copiers on the premises? |
Yes, 'Mr. Kim' will employ 'Miss Park' to be your scribe and supply her with quills, ink and parchment (rice paper)... maybe vellum.
| Quote: |
| 4) If you do bring your own books, resources, what's the most efficient way that you take them along with you (backpack, trolley, etc)? |
Hire an ajumma.
| Quote: |
| 5) Is there A/V equipment available? |
No, there's no electricty. All Samsung products are for export only.
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| 6) Is the curriculum set by the institution, or do the teachers have freedom to be different and spontaneous? |
The little Han-guks find it very entertaining if you're 'different' (other than your big nose & hairy arms) and spontaneously combust in front of the class.
| Quote: |
| 7) Online, I have seen pictures of the typical apartments provided by hogwan institutions and although I'm not so undaunted by the small size, I do wonder if anyone has been able to have unwanted furniture or items taken away. For instance, in the online picture on the bed there were bedclothes. I'm planning to bring my own and I wouldn't want to store the others. |
Never throw out anything in K-land... you will need to burn it to keep warm when you find out your ondol doesn't work.
| Quote: |
| How many inches of space is under a typical bed? |
Zero... Koreans sleep on mats that they roll up during the day - so they can sit on the floor to eat off a 4" high table.
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deebee
Joined: 27 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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Hello, DeeBee here, thanks to everyone for your great advice. Can you tell that I'm totally green when it comes to doing anything like this?
In teaching for my adult classes here in the US, I actually do a lot of preparation work for them. Our books aren't so great and we have to supplement alot. I really don't know what to expect, so these contacts and everything else helps. Especially the advice to bring my own roll up mat and burn everything in the apartment for heat!
There's a group of friends that I'm meeting in Korea. They are giving me all sorts of advice. I thought that teachers would be the best source to talk to about expectations in classroom. Plus, I really don't want to overpack, or be neurotic about what to bring, so thanks for all the input about furniture, bed space size, etc.
All the best to you all and maybe I'll see you in a few months! |
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