Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Derrek]

I am signing a contract today to work at a Bundang girls school. I am quite happy with the contract (provided the employer doesn't change their mind or omit something in what they try to get me to sign -- it happens).

Here are the cool things:

* 2 months paid vacation a year plus korean national holidays (1 month summer, and 1 month winter.

* Brand-new office-tell apartment with built-in cabinets, washer, etc.; about 18 pyong and next to the subway. Smaller than I'd like (efficiency), but it's nice. And it has a REAL shower.... woooooo (I have always had the darn sink ones).

* Working 9 to 5, but teaching about 3 or 4 fifty-minute conversation classes a day to about 30 to 50 high-school girls. The other hours are "office hours". No real required testing involved -- the director said it's not intended to be an overwhelming class to the students. I do, however, plan to have my own tests, etc. -- got to, if you plan to educate properly.

* Pay is about 100,000 won less than my current job, but to me, pay isn't everything, given the vacation and working hours.

My point is not to brag -- surely many of you have better deals at Universities and such. My point is that IT PAYS TO WAIT before you sign with just anyone. My entire goal was to find a school with 9 to 5 hours, or less. It was hard, and I passed over most everything out there, but it still took me only about 9 days to find this.

In the meantime, I had hagwon owners and recruiters scoffing at me and saying, "You'll never get those hours in Korea, you'll be looking a long time -- good luck!"

I've been here long enough to know better. If you are in Korea, it's better not to rush it.

On another note, there is a Hagwon in Ilsan that called me with even shorter full-time hours, and they are on stand-by just today, in case I don't sign with the other school. I haven't seen the place, but it sounds like a great deal overall. What's funny, is the manager told me she's leaving for the USA soon, after 2 years at the school, and has about 1.5 in privates to hand off too *laugh*

But I'm not one to do those, ya know.

When it rains, it poors.

[Juggertha]

good for you man.. thats similar to what i was looking for. don't have the luxury of waiting though.

[FUBAR]

Currently I teach at a middle school. I just wanted to tell you that it's not that easy to do privates while teaching there. If you want to do something on the weekend go nuts. But its not that easy to do during the week. The hours feel longer than they are. Also, about once every two weeks the different teacher want to have dinner parties. During the holidays its pretty easy. Yesterday, I just finished my PT job. So, the money is there to be made.

So far, I have found that I am making about 300,000 less a month than I was at a hogwon. But... right now I am sitting at home waking up, enjoying my 5th week of holiday.

[camus' plague]

Yeah! I definitely agree that waiting pays off. Last December I turned down about 7 jobs before I finally chose one that inculuded the hours, the location, and the pay that I wanted. If you have the luxury of waiting, you can find the job you want in Seoul.

[Mr. Pink]

I can't wait to hear you post for help in a month or two when you realize how hard it is to teach 30-50 students at one time. And girls too...I hope you know what you are getting into...job sounds good and all, but as a guy who has taught high school here for quite some time, I suggest if you do take that job you search this board for:

-> High school discipline (few threads on that)
-> How to teach high school students
-> How to manage huge classes

Also do you have a partner teacher or are you going in there solo?

Lastly, careful of girl stalkers, or giving too much attention to a specific girl...could lead to trouble.

[FUBAR]

[jajdude]

I guess the key is being able to spend the time and money to look for a good job, if you are already in Korea. Sometimes one doesn't have that option and may have to find work quickly and hope for the best, and maybe wind up in less than ideal conditions.

[Squid]

I'm just breathless with anticipation.
Derrek's next million posts will be about the little girls finding him irresistable and all the female teachers swooning over him


Can't wait


Squid

[Gord]

[Derrek]

[Derrek]

[FUBAR]

[Mr. Pink]

[matthews_world]

That kindy job you kept raving about worked out well, huh?

[schwa]

No saying you wont be a great success & really enjoy your new gig but if your background is all in hagwon this will be a quite different challenge.

At the outset these girls will want to like you, but theyll scrutinize you carefully & discuss you bluntly among themselves. They want you to be kind & funny & easy but be careful of easy, they'll walk all over it. You'll need to be a big presence in the classroom at all times, commanding & directing reasonably well-planned activities. Your lesson plans should be clear & simple enough to engage the lowest achievers but open-ended enough to interest advanced students. Its a really tricky balance.

I strongly recommend organizing your classroom into small groups -- clusters of 6 or 7 desks -- as opposed to rows. Its simple to have them prearrange this for your classes & its a useful & easily managed set-up. Plan at least a portion of each class for them to do small group work & you can drift around & make individual contact.

You'll like some students more than others but be very delicate about playing favorites. It will come back to haunt you & them. & I'll repeat my earlier comment about being kind -- if they get a sense youre a cheerful caring teacher, you'll be a hit. If they get a hate on for you, it'll be one tough year.

I assume youre being hired as a supplementary 'conversation' teacher. Dont stress so much about teaching them new stuff as much as encouraging them to use what they already know in a fun environment. Good luck.