Korean Job Discussion Forums

thomas pars · Joined: 29 Jan 2009

Made the jump to elementary public. Maybe this is foolish but I never
asked the previous and current teachers about the job. I talked to the
Korean teachers and they all seem nice. But I am really kinda going
in blind here. And nervous. Not really sure what to expect with public.
This is Gepik BTW. Anything I should watch out for? Oh yeah i start on the 10th.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Only one way to find out.

thomas pars · Joined: 29 Jan 2009

true dat

QbertP · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Location: Seoul

Good luck.
Be adaptable.
Most thinks are not worth fighting over.
A few things are.

Hope you enjoy your school.

jenesis · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Location: In a town near you

Having been there, I know the feeling (nervousness etc.) but you should be fine! Standard curriculum is taught to grades 3-6. Make sure that you get an English copy of the teacher's guide. It's available online and your co-teacher should help you find and print it. Once you have that in hand you have your basic plan for every day of the year. Each lesson follows the same pattern and it will get very familiar (well, boring). As you get more comfortable in the role you can augment the basic curriculum to make it more interesting/fun. For now, my advice is to familiarize yourself with the basics and just go through the steps:

Introduction
Look and Listen (CD Rom)
Listen and Repeat (CD ROM)
Let's Practice
Let's Play

etc.

Just make sure you get the guide in English and familiarize yourself with that CD Rom.

Also, I think it's best to go in a little bit firm and loosen as they gain trust with you (by not being off the wall brats etc). I think that kids are quick to get a sense of who they can--and cannot--take advantage of.

Good luck

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

If you're used to working in a hagwon like I was, make sure you're prepared to deal with classes three times the size you're used to. Actually, to hell with that advice, there's no way you can be ready for it. Get ready to be ready for it.

On the plus side, you'll have far more prep time and can make your classes much more effective than just following whatever text you happen to be using.