Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Enigma]

I'm considering a job at an elementary school in a very rural area of Gyeonggido.
I'm just finishing my first contract in Korea at a hagwon, and I've gotten quite comfortable wearing jeans and a t-shirt to work. At my first job in Japan I had to wear a shirt and tie, and it was brutal in the summer.
I'm curious what male teachers are expected to wear in public elementary schools.

Thanks

[Yu_Bum_suk]

You can probably get away with being a bit less formal than at a secondary school. Just follow the male Korean teachers' lead. However you should have one suit and tie you can wear for certain occasions.

[Big Mac]

I always wear jeans and a button-up shirt. So do most of the other teachers here. The new teachers that just graduated are still in their suit and tie phase, but that will change soon when they get more comfortable.

[BS.Dos.]

And don't forget to pack your Peter Pan shoes, the green ones with bells on the end.

[bogey666]

this depends - but the suggestions thus far are spot on.

it's nice to have one suit for special occasions (that's why I took the trouble to bring one) but you'll wear it maybe once or twice a year if that (e.g. graduation day)

otherwise, business casual is ALWAYS safe..(aka khakis and collared shirt)

some schools won't mind jeans and even a t-shirt when it gets warm, but it'll depend on your principal and vp.

[Perceptioncheck]

Yep, I think it depends on your school.

At one of my schools, the male teachers sometimes rock in half-asleep wearing jeans, cords and even tracksuits. At the other, I've never seen a male teacher wearing anything less than a suit. I think they save their shiny ones for special occasions though.

As a foriegner, I think you could probably get away with a lot more than your Korean counterparts as far as clothing goes. The only question is; do you want to?

[ChinaBoy]

Yes, I want to. Hot and humid is no way to go through life. Get a nice pair of golf shorts.

[Michelle]

Hi There,

I say a suit only goes along with provided air conditioning. If you don't have it be as comfortable as possible.

[TheUrbanMyth]

A tie, dress shirt and pants. No suit, I find it unbearable in the summer...a long-sleeved shirt is pushing it.

[ernie]

i agree that a tie, dress shirt and pants is the way to go. on the few days when i dress down, i notice a difference in the students' attitudes towards me. if you look proper, you get treated properly. proper attire is important anywhere you live and even more so in korea, not to mention you're a foreigner who will always be noticed. i also like dressing up a bit for work. it puts me into work mode, and when i get home and change i feel extra relaxed. dress shirts are cheap here, but pants never seem to fit me correctly. bring a couple decent pairs from home.

[bogey666]