Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kakki81]

Would you recommend it? I'm specifically interested in public schools in Busan. I've heard a lot of negative things about public schools - large unruly classes, little to no guidance or help, etc, but they're beginning to appeal to me again, partly due to the longer vacations. Any advice?

[xCustomx]

You can find most of the information that you're looking for by using the search function (when it's working) or by looking back a few pages in the job discussion forum.

Personally, I will never go back to working at a hagwon again. The work hours are longer, but I spend half as much time in the classroom. I'm generally free to do what I want in class, as long as my lesson is based around the theme of the chapter that the students are studying. Students present challenges every day, but you'll learn to deal with them, especially after you get a few months of experience. My salary is probably a little lower than what I could get at a hagwon, but I have almost no stress, I don't take work home with me, I enjoy finishing work at 4:30, and I love the vacation time that my job provides. Last summer break I had more vacation (4 weeks) than I did in two years at my old hagwon.

[QbertP]

It's pretty much luck of the draw. However you are almost always paid on time and given at least as much vacation as is specified in your contract(in my personal experience more). Classes are large but whether they are unruly or not depends largely on classroom management(though there are some that are pretty unmanagable).

I taught in busan and I was at a great school, i had friends there that were not so lucky, but on average publics are much more reliable than hakwons.

[kakki81]

Thanks so much I appreciate your response. Those are exactly the reasons I've been reconsidering public schools. I know it can be challenging (I've been a high school counselor for the past two years) but I think it might be the better choice for me. Plus I really want to live in Busan.

Yeah I know there's information all over this website but when I try to use search I don't know if it's not working or I just can't seem to find what I'm looking for. So thanks! You said what I wanted to hear. What city are you in?

[Xuanzang]

Depends on the level too...technical high school can be trying for some teachers. Your coteachers, admin, the school itself

[kakki81]

Oh also I had another question I'd rather ask on PM, but the website won't let me initiate PM's yet. If anyone has the time, feel free to send me a PM and I'll ask.

[espoir]

Yea remember there is a big difference between techncial highschools and academic highschools. As one of my teachers explained to me "In our school we only have the kids that were not smart enough to go to university, so you must teach them at an elementary school level since even middle school is too high for them."

Basically I have to teach my highschoolers as if they are still kids because their knowledge of english is minimal. Its kinda disappointing mainly because I chose highschool in the hopes I would at least be able to converse with the students. So yea it is a fair bit more challenging.

[Xuanzang]

Not all technical high schools are hopeless. I know some kids in there who try their socks off and like English. They just couldnt achieve a mark or two in certain subjects and relegated there.

[nicam]

I wouldn't trade PS for a hagwon in a million years! Not even for a hefty pay increase. I work so little, and my middle schoolers are amazing fun, and I honestly enjoy being with them. Kids seem to behave better in regular school than in academy, and I hear horror stories regarding bad behavior from hagwan teachers that shock the hell out of me.

It's not all roses, of course. I had no prior teaching experience, and was thrown into the fire, but I've mangaged despite the challenges.

Also, I have gotten soooooo much time off due to school activities, closings, etc. I too get an extra week or two off in addition to vacation. My hagwon counterparts all call me a cow for all the time off I get.

Only downside for me is while private teachers can go out and have a few on any given weeknight, I have to be up at the ass crack of dawn. That's also been a challenge regarding my fitness routine, as I used to have enough free time in the morning to exercise. That's really it though.

Oh, and the proficiency levels where I am are EXTREMELY low, but if you could make a difference in the lives of a few kids then you're doing alright. I have several star students that are so eager and really carry my lessons. You just have to learn to cope with a bit of awkwardness, but even the kids who can't say there names are sweet for the most part.

[kakki81]

Thanks! This all sounds really great so far. In the public high school I worked at I had to get up at 5 friggin 30 AM! And I'm really not a morning person...So 7 or 8 sounds alright to me. Another question - how hard is it to get hired at public schools? I'm looking at the application now and just hoping there are still jobs in Busan.

[Xuanzang]

[Xuanzang]

double post

[nicam]

I don't know about Busan, but if you have PS experience that should at least give you a leg up on getting a job.

I am in Geoje, and got my preferred location through EPIK (although I don't know what the hell I am doing HERE) but was asked to list 2 backup locations as well, so there was no guarantee.

It's true about partying being more condusive to hagwon hours, but after weeks of getting half or less sleep than my hagwon friends I've decided it's best I save it for the weekends, and maybe ONE weeknight, and since I have such a light workload as well as a million workless activity days and cancellations I have no problem with one sleepless night followed by an after school nap. Really, 3 nights of utter drunkeness in enough for me, and there's always the option of splitting a bottle of wine during the week, which is good fun and doesn't leave you shitty in the morning.

Plus, we PS people get to eat properly. I would be getting a fat ass on the private schedule for sure, no time to eat between lessons and gorging on take-out after 9. Ugh, PS is a healthier lifestyle!

[egrog1717]