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SarahMarin
Joined: 06 Aug 2009
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 Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:18 pm Post subject: Public School --> Hogwan |
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delete
Last edited by SarahMarin on Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:36 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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| You have to go 9 months at least. Then it's possible to get a transfer, but that's no guarantee. |
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dosed_neurons
Joined: 23 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:24 pm Post subject: |
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| why are you not happy in your current position, if i may ask? is it the kids, curriculum, director, other? |
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SarahMarin
Joined: 06 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:31 am Post subject: |
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delete
Last edited by SarahMarin on Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:37 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:23 am Post subject: |
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Go teach Middle or High school.
I feel your pain. When I taught Elementary, it was a struggle to get through those CD's. The songs and chants were brutal. |
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SarahMarin
Joined: 06 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:40 am Post subject: |
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| Ok... but can you help me with my original question then? Can I transfer [to a hagwan/middle school/high school] and only work there for 6 months so that I still am working just one year in Korea? |
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Cerberus
Joined: 29 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:01 am Post subject: |
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| SarahMarin wrote: |
| I think it is the position. When I talk about my complaints (low English ability, teaching English as a language rather than as a subject) people say I'd like a hogwan better. The kids can be rude and don't listen but I don't think *they* are the problem per say. The teachers are fine, and the administration is very helpful. Mostly, I am really bored at my job. I don't enjoy teaching (I played basketball, I played baseball, I went ice fishing, etc.) and I especially don't like my large classes (40 per class) and teaching the same thing up to 8 times per week. Finally, I feel totally lonely at school. |
this sounds like my HS, but I expected many of these things going in.
Loneliness doesn't bother me that much, I have a very strong lonesome wolf streak which helps me tremendously in Korea.
if your kids aren't the problem amd your coteacher are "fine" and your administration is "very helpful", then I'd say you're ahead of a good 90% of all teachers here.
very few, if any other public schools will be better.
and odds are much higher than you think that your next hogwan gig will be disappointing to you as well. |
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Provence
Joined: 18 Oct 2008
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:09 am Post subject: |
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| SarahMarin wrote: |
| I don't enjoy teaching. |
If you don�t like teaching then a hagwon won�t make much of a difference. Most hagwons will put you in the classroom much more than public schools and you are still required to teach. You would only be hurting yourself and the children.
Perhaps you should consider going back home to your respective country and change careers. |
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SarahMarin
Joined: 06 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:15 am Post subject: |
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delete
Last edited by SarahMarin on Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:38 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Cerberus
Joined: 29 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:20 am Post subject: |
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| SarahMarin wrote: |
| wait what? No, that was out of context and not what I meant to write. I like teaching. I have taught in the US and I have a Masters in Education. I just mean I don't like teaching the incredibly boring "I like basketball" statements all day everyday. I need a little more variety or something. |
at many public schools you can teach whatever you want employing any method you may want to use. I'd say this is the case in most high schools, for e.g.
However, you will still be hamstrung by the usual English levels, which will typically be very low.
Doesn't your current school give you flexibility/freedom in your lesson planning? If you have supportive coteacher and administration perhaps this is something you can sit down with them and discuss.
btw Sarah, IMO professional teachers shouldn't really be wasting their lives teaching in hogwans or Korean public schools (with very few exceptions). You'll make a lot more money and get more job satisfaction teaching at any international school anywhere in the world. |
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SarahMarin
Joined: 06 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:28 am Post subject: |
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delete
Last edited by SarahMarin on Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:39 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Provence
Joined: 18 Oct 2008
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:30 am Post subject: |
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| SarahMarin wrote: |
| wait what? No, that was out of context and not what I meant to write. I like teaching. I have taught in the US and I have a Masters in Education. I just mean I don't like teaching the incredibly boring "I like basketball" statements all day everyday. I need a little more variety or something. |
I apologize I misunderstood, I thought you meant you would rather play basketball with the students. Hagwons will definitely offer variety with childern of different English levels and ages.
You need to get a letter of release from your current school before changing jobs. I am not entirely sure of the 9 month rule but a phone call to immi can help clarify this issue. |
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Cerberus
Joined: 29 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:43 am Post subject: |
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| SarahMarin wrote: |
No, there isn't too much flexibility in the sense that most for the things I suggest doing I am told "No, they can't do that. Their English ability is not high enough." Thus, they suggest doing a powerpoint with a picture and then the students have to say what the picture is -- "I went ice skating" etc.
I have a different relationship with each of my three co-teachers. I hardly ever see or speak to my administration but when I do they are polite and accommodating towards me.
I really don't mean to complain about my classes. I really just want to know what my other options are, if any. I'm willing to stick out my contract but if there is a chance I can switch to something else, then I'd like to at least try it. |
hard to know exactly what your options are.
you can always try to gently sway your current coteachers toward your way of thinking.. for e.g. convince them of trying out something you'd care to try out at least once and see how it goes over (of course, it's better "work"  )
your teaching degree and Master's should give you a bit more stature and say in how you want to teach than an average post college waygook anywhere else.
Yes, you may find a hogwan that will be better in terms of students, flexibility and such, but hogwans also bring other potential problems and issues that have been well discussed on this forum.
You may want to look into trying to get into the Gangnam public school system. The fact you're female, and a professional teacher means you will be in high demand by many schools in Seoul. |
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frankly speaking
Joined: 23 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:53 am Post subject: |
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If you give your resignation and get a letter of release, then yes, you can get another teaching job in Korea. You only need to work for 9+ months if you are actually switching over your visa and not leaving the country.
No, most likely there won't be any hagwon that will give you a 6 month contract. There are a few but they are very rare. I don't see why you wouldn
t want to work for another full year anyway. You will only get a severance package if you work for a full year at one school.
I personally prefer Hagwons to public schools. I have more autonomy and control over what I teach and how I do it. But this isn't the usual case for many inexperienced or under qualified teachers. |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:26 am Post subject: |
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| SarahMarin wrote: |
| No, there isn't too much flexibility in the sense that most for the things I suggest doing I am told "No, they can't do that. Their English ability is not high enough." Thus, they suggest doing a powerpoint with a picture and then the students have to say what the picture is -- "I went ice skating" etc. |
Yours is a common exasperation with teaching public elementary school here. I'm not sure what it is makes so many Korean elementary teachers so timid about straying from the extremely weak curriculum. Might be administrative pressure, might be insecurities about their own english.
With your background I think you could at least make a case for introducing some trial activities along new lines. The proof would be in the student response, which as you know would be positive. There is nothing in the text or teachers guide that promotes thinking or creativity & the students are hungry for exactly that. This was a revelation to my co-teacher this year & once the kids got rolling there was no turning it back. Took some tact though, & special consideration to include low-level students. But in the end everyone won out.
I suggest you persevere in trying to make a difference. Early leavings & part-year contracts tend to be messy propositions in Korea. |
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