Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ross_Plus]

Hi Guys,

I am looking to teach perhaps at an elementary level in a PS when I land in Korea as when I return to the UK I am considering teaching at that level, to teach any higher you need a degree specialising in that subject. Since they rarely teach Law at secondary school I am limited to primary (elementary).

I am interested to hear at what levels everybody has taught and what were the good and bad points, and how it compares to other levels they have taught.

Thanks
Ross

[D.D.]

I teach primary once a week and middle school the other 4 days. Primary is easier and the kids are nicer but more than one day of the content would drive me crazy.

The middle school kids get worse every year but the good ones make it worth while. I like making interesting lesson and like the creativity that is involved.

I use to teach university in China and was lucky to have great students. It was easier to relate to them on many levels.

If the pay was better I would choose university.

I can't comment on high school because I have never taught that level but they seam orientated towards exams.

I have some really good students in middle school and my stupid school changed the after school classes for the basic students instead of the good students.

Korea has not learned that more energy should be put into the better students.

[yeremy]

I've taught both elementary and high school in Korea. I enjoy teaching elementary the most. I have taught middle school students for a couple of weeks at a camp, which I enjoyed, but those were pretty good students.

Elementary (+)
in Gyonggi do or Seoul, you will probably teach out of a dedicated English-only classroom
younger and more energetic
more enjoyable to teach
more impressionable
generally more eager to learn
seem to absorb material more easily
less tired than high school students
You can really teach a lot more with elementary students
official national curriculum which is helpful for those new to teaching in general
more and more there are good worksheets available on-line and all you have to do is search for them properly
you will most likely teach with a licensed, professional KT co-teacher who was assigned to be an English teacher
very outspoken students who will tell you if you're old, pretty, fat/thin, bald or you look like a famous celebrity

Elementary (-)
in rural provinces you may certainly go from classroom-to-classroom to teach
crowded schools in some rural areas
K co-teacher may not speak English very well (true of Gyonggi-do but not in the rural province I currently work in)
national CD-rom based curriculum is often thin and has to be heavily supplemented
rural elementary English teachers tend to be signif. older than the more urban elementary English teachers
K co-teacher may not allow you to do as you see fit
danger of tape recorder NET syndrome
Too outspoken at times
classroom mgmt can be very tiring

High School (+)
older students some of whom you can talk with in English
extremely exam focused school curriculum
multiple K co-teachers
extra time off during exam periods where you'll warm your desk
Korean co-teachers will be professional English education majors so they will be able to speak English
high school faculty tends to be older

High School (-)
more conservative school culture
your (communicative) syllabus will likely be overshadowed by the grammar/vocabulary (lecture) oriented method used in the KT's classrooms
Teacher on student corporal punishment
K co-teachers may never co-teach but just pop in and out of class
sleepy and sleeping students
students may want you to figure out a way to use their regular textbook in your classes
more than a few students who won't want to speak for various reasons
beauty issues: students grooming themselves during class
personal tech issues
classes start later and end later than for elementary students
plenty of shy students

Mea culpa: This is only my opinion based on my experiences.