Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LOVYDOVY]

What is it exactly about? And is it possible to miss it?

Thank you all in advance.

[icicle]

[LOVYDOVY]

My last day of work is late friday night, the 22nd. And even if I fly out on Saturday, I will not be there on time. And knowing myself, I will need few days to get over the jet-lag.

That is why I'm asking.

[Sody]

It is possible to skip it, just make sure your departure is delayed or your visa processing isn't ready during the orientation date. If you are talking about skipping the orientation while you are in Korea I'm not sure how that works or whether you are allowed. I know for GEPIK some teachers have gotten away with skipping their orientation although they are not suppose to miss it.

I hear the SMOE orientation, unlike GEPIK, is actually useful so you might want to actually go.

[Bibbitybop]

SMOE tells teachers that orientation is mandatory and that if you don't go, you can't work for SMOE. If you are under contract, you'd better go or else you may be fired. OP, why don't you contact SMOE directly about your situation? I believe the new contract date is August 25th, first day of orientation. If you take a plane on the 23rd, you will make orientation. Everyone else flying into the country is taken from the airport to orientation? Think you need to get over jet lag before orientation? You are wrong, hundreds of people do it each year.

Every year, there are a few people who run into complications and do miss orientation. This is often due to last minute hires or visa issues. They are still allowed to work for SMOE, but they certainly didn't miss orientation by choice and SMOE knew that.


Orientaiton is a mixed bag. It improves every year, but each year a lot teachers complain that it didn't prepare them or answer their questions. You may learn a bit about Korea, but you really want to know about your daily duties at school and people walk away uninformed. Many people who have worked in Korea previously think its a waste of time, they know most of the content. Newbies seem to be happier with it than veteran teachers.

Where's ddeubel on this thread? He teaches at the orientation and can give you more insight, he's also open about how to improve orientation.

[esetters21]

[esetters21]

[jkelly80]

I went to the one in march, and there were more than a few people who flew in on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. If it's like the last one, nothing official starts until Monday, so it shouldn't be a problem. But you'd be on your own as far as making it from Incheon to Yongin.

[Faunaki]

I didn't go because I wasn't new to K so I got outta it. Everyone I know says it sucks.

[ddeubel]

Thanks for the heads up Bibbitybop,

I can't really add much or say much either about whether one should attend or not. That's up to many factors but I never think it a bad idea to do some professional development. Professional development also isn't solely dependent on the presenter/workshop itself but also the mindset you bring. I've learnt much more from poor presentations and my own critical reflection on it - than any top notch, WOW! presentation.

But the Hyundai Learning Center is an international class venue (even if in Yong In ) and teachers aren't slumming it.

I will be completely revising the orientation. It will be much more small group style and I'll refrain from taking the pulpit and grandstanding.

I also have always tried to respect all the variety and people out there, when designing presentations. Also, the focus is on "content" and what works in the classroom. I think past attendees can attest to that. There are very many subtle skills an experienced classroom teacher picks up and internalizes. I try to model and suggest these too.

A new part to the orientation will be a session on "managing relationships"
in the Korean educational context. Whether you are an experienced Korean pro or not, it will be helpful. I'll present scenarios and in small groups, teachers will have to brainstorm and argue various responses ......

There will also be a few fall workshops this year which I will deliver on weekends. With and without SMOE's backing. The difficulty in an "orientation" workshop is that teachers don't have the necessary backdrop - they haven't seen their school or materials/conditions yet. They don't have the filter through which they can properly assess the information they encounter at the orientation. It is much more beneficial after settling in.....so that will also be on offer, cheaply.

Cheers,

DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com

[dean_burrito]

When is the orientation? Is it on the 25th?

[crsandus]

How big of a deal is it to fly in a few days early (landing on the 20th) and then heading over to the orientation? I want to get here early and spend time with family, get over the jet lag, drop off some luggage at my family's place and then head over to the orientation. I asked the interview guy from SMOE but he made it sound like it was a risky thing and strongly mentioned that I'd be "on my own and no one would be responsible for you" if I didn't arrive on the 24th/25th as suggested.

I'm assuming that as long as someone gives me an address as to where and when I am supposed to meet for the orientation, my family can find the location.

[MollyBloom]

[Hyeon Een]

[yuria]

I was told that it might be running until the 31st, where the school representatives would come and pick us up and show us the school we'd be teaching at, on the Sunday. Then we go to work on Monday~