Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mcorteau]

First question is easy: do schools in Korea allow a teacher to have facial hair? I'm thinking a classy mustache.

Second Question: What is it like make your own curriculum at public schools? How long does it take? Is it worth it to work at public schools for fewer teaching hours or does making you own curriculum make up for it?

Please let me know about your experiences with both these questions^.~b Thanks!

[himynameishowie]

My husband had a full beard (kept short, well-groomed); he shaved it off about 2 months ago because he kept getting complaints about his personality (he teaches adults) and one of the Korean teachers said maybe it was his beard. He hasn't had a complaint since then, his students are more friendly and responsive, and several of his Korean coworkers have told him that he seems more "approachable" now.

I've heard that many Koreans associate facial hair with being dirty/rough/poor. (I think it's just facial hair envy since so many Korean men can't grow decent facial hair.)

Also... there's not really any such thing as a "classy" moustache. Just sayin'.

[romano812]

It's hard to say what you will be expected to do in a public school. What grade levels will it be?
As for a beard or mustache; it may be allowed depending on the school, but it will definitely be frowned upon. Korea is all about conformity and everybody looking the same (no racism intended here). In the summer it gets very humid and I like to shave my head. I've worked at three different schools and none have been too happy about it. They haven't threatened to fire me, but they have indicated disapproval.

[rws5501]

Moustache, are you going for the used car salesman or 70's porn star look?

[roadwork]

[rws5501]

Big and thick. if it's Boston in the winter, snot icycles!

[tonyvu]

i think he's trying to take the crown of "most intimidating moustache/beard" that was vacated by Billy Mays...


in seriousness though, my recruiter told me it greatly depends on your school.

[alphakennyone]

And here I was hoping for some mustache related lesson plans.

[Kwangjuchicken]

[alphakennyone]

Actually, I had a full beard for about 8 months in Korea.

The students (college aged) said I wasn't as "cute," but I didn't get any complaints. The wonjangnim complimented me on it. Some people look better with facial hair (or in my case as I'm fairly young looking, more mature).

[Chambertin]

Trimmed full beard and so far no complaints.
Most people say it suits me well. I say I didnt lose all the hair on the top of my head , it just moved down some.

[Gnawbert]

I've been rocking a beard for the last month or so just for a change of pace. Some of my younger students said I was a "Gang leader" because of it. I asked them if they *really* thought having a beard meant I was in a gang. Some of them said "Yes".

I showed them a 10,000 won note, asked who the man on it was. "King Sejong!" they said.

"No, gang leader," I said. "Also, Dumbeldore and Santa Clause. Gang leaders too. Big time gang leaders."

They got the point and laughed. I promised them I'd shave a funny mustache for a week if they all did well on their tests this week. I might go with a Hulk Hogan 'stache for a few days then clean it all off.

[mcorteau]

[rws5501]

I still think the porn stache would be best.

[Epicurus]

last year i mused to my coteacher about doing a goat-tee thing, she said if I did, all of my students would try following suit