Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thbsp]

so, there are lots of discussions about the finer points of contract negotiation, but i have seen any general advice or opinions for those who may not know.

my question:
is epik a good route to get into the korean market for someone with no experience?
i'm assuming that it's better because there is at least some standardized policy or oversight, but if you apply to a hagwon then you could end up in a terrible school if you don't know someone that's already there.

any thoughts or suggestions would be really helpful. thanks.

[AussieGav]

[thbsp]

[AussieGav]

[afsjesse]

Actually Gangwondo is the largest province in Korea!

[BS.Dos.]

I'd say EPIK, but then I would.

If you do decide to take the EPIK route and you have no teaching experience, then do as much planning and prepping in advance as you can, as you'll be expected to hit the ground running once you arrive and there's no telling what you'll be walking into. I'd basically get a few lessons mapped out before hand, even if it's just mentally. Obviously, the first week you'll be getting the introductions out the way, so formulate some kind of lesson based around where you're from, your family, your history etc, incorporating visual/audio material if possible. If you've never stood in front of a group of people and 'taught' before, then, and depending on when you're actually heading out here, maybe enroll on a EFL course of some description if you can.

Regardless of what you've heard, PS classrooms are a lot different from hagwon classrooms and they can be intimidating places for all of us, let alone those without any experience. Thinking you can hold your own in a classroom and actually doing it are two very different things. To that end, do some practice in front of your family etc if you can. Sounds stupid, but you really do need to give yourself the best possible start. Can't say that that will prepare you for what's in store, but at least it's something.

If the idea of being accountable to 30 odd foreign kids seems to much, then maybe a hagwon route would be best for the first year until you know what the score is out here and you can develop some classroom confidence. Just be careful where you end up and ask plenty of questions on here as it'll really pay dividends for you a few months from now.

[Ukon]

[PRagic]

The general rule of thumb is that all hakwons blow. If you do go that route, DON'T EVER take split shifts, and ONLY go with a large chain in a busy part of a big city. Personally, I'd avoid teaching kids as those jobs usually pile on a lot of non-teaching admin and grading duties.

Go with a public school job. You'll enjoy your time more in all probability.

[John_ESL_White]

[PRagic]

Great points. Only difference is that you seem to be talking about teaching kids. You'd need a cattle prod to get me in them thar doors!

[marlow]

Public is relatively secure. However, you have big classes and the K-teachers at your school see you as nothing more than a weird annoyance/accessory.

Hagwons are risky, but small classes are actually much easier than large classes, even if you teach more. Much easier to get the hang of teaching.

[AussieGav]

Hagwons are risky, but small classes are actually much easier than large classes, even if you teach more. Much easier to get the hang of teaching.[/quote]

Often more freedom too surrounding content, method etc. More work but can be more fun and more rewarding.

[English Matt]

I'd recommend the PS route....however, be aware that the first few months will not be that easy if you have little to no experience teaching like I did. Be prepared to do some research before you come here and, like someone else mentioned, have a few lesson plans up your sleeve.

The benefits once you do get the hang of things are immense though. You often have lessons cancelled due to exams, sporting events, field trips, or just because your coteacher is running behind with the material in his regular classes. You get huge amounts of vacation relative to hagwons. The freedom of being able to create lessons around your own ideas and seeing them succeed is fantastic....you don't have to worry about pandering to the kids whims in order to keep the parents happy....no admin or grading.....a coteacher to deal with the majority of discipline issues in class.

I was regretting my decision to go the PS route just a few months ago, but now I have the hang of things and have seen the nightmares that some of my friends have encountered at hagwons...well....I think I made the right decision.

I would add a couple of provisos though....I work in a High School and therefore have teachers (and, obviously, students) with a much better level of English than you will find at the elementary or middle levels. Also discipline is less of an issue in my school than it is at either elementary or middle schools that my friends work at. Finally, there are schools that take quite a linear view of your contract and will not go outside of it (for instance they may insist on giving you no more vacation time than is stated in your contract), so it does come down to a roll of the dice....but hey, if the worst that can happen is that they will stick to the contract...well...

[Ukon]

[PRagic]

Plus, hakwons are a business and will try to milk you for all you're worth. They'll pressure you into acting like a 'real teacher' as that will increase their business. This can entail grading, doing level tests, designing lessons, and anything else they can dream up.

Public schools, at least from what I've heard, pretty much know that they aren't hiring real teachers, and not much effort is made to try and get you to work like one. They know they're not paying for the real deal.

Famous line: They pay you to pretend you're teaching, and the students pretend to learn.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself. If you have a decent work ethic, that's great; come over and do your job. But don't get a guilt trip if you're not the best teacher right off the bat, and don't beat yourself up over it. Again, they get what they pay for, and they're not paying for real teachers. Hey, you might turn into a real teacher if you decide you like the gig and want to further your education/credentials, but until then, go with the flow. Repeat the mantra: All Hakwons Blow.