Korean Job Discussion Forums

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

One of the things I like about being in Korea is teaching Korean students. Generally, I like the fact that many of the kids are very hard working, they show a certain respect toward their teachers, and they can be very honest. Cheating is not as common amongst the kids when compared to kids I used to teach in North America. It's nice when the kids show you respect. I care about those I teach. That's probably one reason I sometimes get pissed off when I am here, because I feel if I get shafted then it adversely affects the education of the students. I am not simply in this for the cash. I've taught before, and I, actually, enjoy being an EFL instructor.

crusher_of_heads · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:29 am Post subject:

On a positive note, 2 of my middle school students could not wait to tell me today that they got into the Incheon International High School-one of whom I would be surprised if she didn't make it.

No boys made it-what a surprise!

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I teach in a school of adults where they have to apply for entrance, so they are highly motivated. That means 99% of them really want to be there and learn. (The other 1% see it as a vacation.) They're bright, cooperative, ambitious, curious and hard-working. Maybe best of all, 97% of them keep their sense of humor, so it's actually fun to be around them.

One example: Around Halloween we were talking about magic one day and I happened to mention that I like stage magician shows and enjoy being totally flumoxed by the tricks. This week, Chang-Hyun (the class clown) came in grinning from ear to ear because he'd learned to do a magic trick and performed it for the class. It was a show-stopper as far as I'm concerned. He's now working on trick #2. Very Happy

Faunaki · Joined: 15 Jun 2007

Sometimes I feel that my students are evil but they always pull together when it comes time for me to be observed. It's like they all get on my side and act like perfect little angels, answering questions, listening carefully, being quiet.

That's what I like about them.

Also I like it when they tell me jokes. The new one is.... Hey teacher you are pretty.... (pause)..... ugly. Then they laugh and laugh. I actually find this amusing.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

I like it when the girls draw little pictures for me covered with hearts and little smile icons.

One boy carved my name out of his eraser. Kind of looked liked a stamp. That was cool too.

joshuahirtle27 · Joined: 23 Mar 2008

Little note from my kindy kids that say "You make me happy, I love you" They really help the 'ole morale

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

joshuahirtle27 · Joined: 23 Mar 2008

On day my Co-teacher said "Orange Star says they don't like me they want you." I was like HA! I win!

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

I like it when they know hagwon-related information and gossip and share it with me. I'm about 50/50 on hearing news from coworkers and students.

I asked a couple of my coworkers how much the students pay to go here... they didn't know ("didn't know"?)... I can't remember what we were talking about in class but some of the students just came out with it one day. I didn't even have to ask.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

My old hakwon charged 1.1 mil a month for kindy students and 3-500,000 for elementary. Shocked

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

flakfizer · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:06 am Post subject:

flakfizer · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:13 am Post subject:

I like almost everything about my students. The only reason I stay in Korea is because I really like my job. I teach college kids and I like the way they relate to me. They are polite enough, but they are not too polite. I am considerably older than they are, but I never feel like I am. They are friendly and mostly hard-working too. The only times they have really bothered me is when I have caught them cheating or plagiarizing.