Korean Job Discussion Forums

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So often, when we talk about our job with others - it's just a pissing contest. You walk away from those conversations less edified than when you started:

How much do you get?
How many hours do you have to work?
How much vacation do you get?
Do you have a private office?
What perks do you get?

Maybe someone's bragging or someone's moaning. I'm as guilty of getting into this as anyone. Anyway, there's always somebody better off/worse off than you are so it's just not that helpful.

The fact is, as far as terms and conditions go we all know that no matter whether you're in a hagwon, public school or uni it can be terrible or wonderful or just alright.

If it's good for you, that's great but it's not the terms of the deal that will really satisfy you.

If it's really bad for you - grit your teeth, finish the deal if you can and get better terms.

What really counts will be your school and especially your classroom experience.


For most of us the terms are alright and a better conversation to have would be:

Do you enjoy your teaching in the place where you work? Why?
Are YOU learning? What?
Are you improving? How?
Are you enjoying your relationship with the other staff and students?
Are you having fun? Are they having fun with it?
Are you trying out new stuff in the classroom? What?
Can you get to observe others/be observed and learn stuff that way?
What have you read recently that's interesting/helpful?
Have you got like-minded colleagues?
How can you make it better? How can you enjoy it more?


Kumbaya..I know
Just a thought...

[cruisemonkey]

[cruisemonkey]

[justaguy]

[jinks]

I never ask people how much they earn and I'm always a little bit surprised when native English speakers (who I don't know very well) ask me how much money I get. It's rude to ask! Isn't it? Or has it all changed, and no one told me yet?

[SOOHWA101]

[John_ESL_White]

I've learned that more money and less hours are not ALWAYS a good thing- the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Do you enjoy your teaching in the place where you work? Why?

10% of the time I enjoy my current place. Why? Well, 10% of the time, I have students matched with books that aren't too hard for them. The 90% that I do not enjoy I have kids with materials that are way above their heads. Because of this, I get a LOT of discipline issues and there is no one who will sort out the problem kids. Just me and my lonely waygook self. If I bring a K teacher in on a classroom discipline problem, the wonnjongnim asks why I can't control my kids. So, these days, I close the door when chaos ensues and I read a book.

Are YOU learning? What?

I'm learning that no matter how many times you explain things to a hagwon owner, they will never, ever, ever, listen. They almost always ask your advice after they've already made a change and then, of course, its too late.....

Are you improving? How?

I've improved the manner in which I bullspit the owner and the other faculty. A long time ago, I used to care. Now I know that caring doesn't get you anywhere but used up taken advantage of.

Are you enjoying your relationship with the other staff and students?

I keep my distance from the staff except during our one hour class where I have to talk to them.

I work at a glorified after school babysitting service. Kids are kids. The kids I deal with, on the whole are good kids with mass discipline issues. They are even rude to the K teachers. They pretty much run the show.

Are you having fun? Are they having fun with it?

I have fun. The kids have fun somedays and somedays they get pissed at me because they aren't playing hangman.

Are you trying out new stuff in the classroom? What?

Every week I try new ways of teaching.... new methods of discipline and reward... new ways to keep the kids motivated...

sometimes the new things work... sometimes they don't.

I keep detailed notes on the things that work and the things that don't work so that I can use them in my private classes.

Can you get to observe others/be observed and learn stuff that way?

I have a K teacher sit in on my classes twice a week. She text messages her boyfriend throughout the whole class.

When a student starts screaming, jumping on the table, or punching another kid, I stop my lesson and wait for her to do something. Sometimes she never looks up from her phone until it's time for me to exit to another class. weird. I guess I learned that Korean's are lazy in the classroom.

I've sat in on the Koreans' teaching English, but I do not understand Korean, so I did not learn anything other than Koreans teach English in Korean.

What have you read recently that's interesting/helpful?

I read Frank McCourt's book about teaching... Can't remember the title. It was interesting and helpful.

Have you got like-minded colleagues?

Yes. One girl I work with hates getting paid late as much as me. She's recently given her notice over it.

How can you make it better? How can you enjoy it more?

If I could pick and choose the students in my classes, I would love my job and enjoy it immeasurably.