Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GoldenPennies]

I've seen Longshank's notion of peace.

[imkaereie]

Hi guys!

I'm an EPIK English teacher in Busan, I've been here for 6 months (since August) and it's been fun so far! I graduated from college a year and a half ago and Korea is one stop in my intended journey around the world. Anyhow if you guys have any questions about EPIK I can answer I'd be glad to try and help! My email is [email protected]. bye! - Ikee Inez

[GoldenPennies]

Where's your next stop? What do you intend to do once you get there?

[imkaereie]

hi goldenpennies! im not quite sure yet, that's what ill be figuring out over the next 6 months! more than likely ill be teaching English in Latin America, then eventually back to the U.S. for grad school!

what part of Korea are you going to? are you excited? there's a big adventure ahead of you!

[GoldenPennies]

I'm headed to Chungbuk, which is no man's land. This does not bother me as I enjoy nature and large open spaces, especially in the mountains. I plan to live modestly and save. After this I hope to travel all over Asia. What type of graduate degree are you going to seek?

Oh yes, I am very excited!

[imkaereie]

so you're headed to a rural area? you will have a really cool experience! I think those who teach in rural areas get an even greater chance to bond with students' families and learn about Korean life than those teaching in cities.

I can appreciate your love for open spaces! My placement is rather unique because I live in a city (Busan) but in a small-town island (Yeongdo-gu). The island is connected to the city by two bridges. Life on the island is great and I can take the 20minute bus into the city easily.

Would you prefer elementary, middle, or high school GoldenPennies?

Haha, as for my future plans... I'll figure it out as I go. I'm considering law school though!

If you have any questions about orientation or Korea or anything just send me a post or email!

[kam1nsk1]

Hey imkaereie I'll be starting in Busan in March, hows the weather there at the mo?!

I'm really excited and quite nervous too as this is my first teaching job. I did Celta in December though so hopefully will be ok. What age do you teach, how do you find the learning materials etc. Any hints on what to do on a first lesson?!


Thanks in advance, maybe I'll see you round the bend!

[kam1nsk1]

Cridgey I'm getting the london-dubai-seoul emirates flight, so may be on the same dubai-seoul flight as you!
Think mine is at 3 am from dubai?

[JBomb]

the weather in Busan right now has been rainy. Going to be that way until the weekend. Apparently this is unusual for down here. Supposed to be dry chilly and sunny like it has been for the past few weeks.

[cridgey]

kam1nsk1: yep 3am (dubai time) to seoul on the superjumbo! (which the big kid inside of me, is excited to go on!)

have a look out for me... i will try have my scarf on or near me, so keep an eye out and say hello!

[waseige1]

Some people created a Facebook page

Epik in Busan Class of 2010

Those of us that got here last year created something similar for 2009. It helped at times.

[imkaereie]

kam1nsk1 - how's it going!

The weather is getting warmer! It is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit outside right now with some rain. By the time you arrive it will probably still be around 50-55 Fahrenheit with a few warm days in the 60s.

Don't worry about this being your first teaching job! I had only taught (tutored) on a part-time and volunteer basis before starting here. Hey you did CELTA! Then you really have nothing to worry about. Also it is not a big deal if your first few classes are your learning curve! Your students will be so interested in you as a person - who you are, where you're from, even what you look like - that some quirks in the lesson plan won't matter one bit for the first month or so.

What grade level do you want to teach? I teach middle school! I didn't request an age group on my application but when I got middle school I knew I'd love it. Have you heard about how Korean age is different than American age? I teach 7th, 8th, and 9th graders (American age 12-14ish) but in Korean age it's 14-16ish. also we call it "1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade" of middle school.

I love my students from the bottom of my heart and I will miss them so much when I leave Korea! Today is actually graduation day for the 3rd graders so it's happy but sad too

Lesson plans: for your first week, do a "getting to know you" lesson where you talk about yourself and your family! Students will be interested in where their teacher comes from. Always have a backup plan in case computers/powerpoint don't work. For your second week, you could do a lesson on classroom rules (English words for what to do and what not to do in the classroom). After that you will likely have a textbook and it'll be time to teach out of that. Are there any lesson plans that you specifically want to try out? Or that you're wondering if they will work in the Korean classroom?

Since this is my first teaching job too I can get more in depth about designing lesson plans if you would like! or if anyone else has lesson plan questions?

hope this helps! if u want to know anything else im around!

[bbbcd]

[GoldenPennies]

bbcd, I don't know anyone else who will be teaching in Chungbuk. I hope to meet some people at Orientation that I can visit throughout my stay there. This may sound trite, but I also hope that there is a decent gym somewhere nearby where I will be living. I will be attending the Eulgi University orientation on the 18th. See you there!

[davosdavas]

Hi fellow epikers, anyone getting a flight from Gatwick (to Dubai, then incheon) on Feb 17, leaving about 13.45? That's where I'll be and it would be nice to meet up with someone on the plane, minimise the tedium etc...