Korean Job Discussion Forums

DepecheModerator · Joined: 21 May 2010

I've been wearing headphones at my current school for 2 years now without incident. The school is pretty unprofessional in itself - there are kids running through the teacher's office screaming while getting their milk and other things between classes, also the teachers are also screaming most of the time, laughing, yelling, etc.

I don't typically wear them in my ears during the class time, however, if the lesson is completed, and I put the students to work - I may pop them in my ears. I wear the kind of headphones which wrap around my neck and the ipod case hangs at my chest in a little holder.

I wear a hat (baseball cap) at times at work as well. I take it off to show respect when approaching my principal for something. No one has mentioned anything about it to me, so it seems as if it's acceptable.

I am starting at a new school in September. There are cameras in the classrooms - so I've been told. =/

I am the only native teacher at my school, so I can't really base my school's acceptance to these things against other schools.

What are my chances that I'll be able to wear a baseball cap and headphones at my new school in September?

Grantasmagoria · Joined: 04 Dec 2005

Keep the headphones out of the classroom and stop wearing the hat during school. You know who does this, my 11 year old students. You aren't 11 are you?

nomad-ish · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 10:19 pm Post subject:

i said no.

i don't think the hat thing is a great idea, but it's probably not as big a deal as wearing headphones between classes. the teachers want you to be approachable for the students, so i don't think playing your own music will send that message. this is just my opinion. is this a public school?

by the way, great band.

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

I wear headphones when I'm not teaching. I like to listen to music whilst working at my desk. I keep it low enough that I can hear if someone's talking to me. Usually, I only wear one earbud.

I'd wear a hat, but my hair looks too cool to cover up.

lukas · Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Location: Bucheon

I'd say yes to the headphones, but the hat I'd question.

Why would you want to look like a kid/baseball coach? Is it really sunny in your classroom you have to keep the sun out of your eyes? Would you consider wearing a cowboy hat in class? It just seems like a distraction/unprofessional for a teacher, especially in-doors. Although we don't have to wear business professional clothing, there is a line to draw between dressing neatly, and dressing like a sloppy bum.

However, if it was winter time and the classroom is freezing because schools and cheap, I'd absolutely go for the furriest, most distracting Russian "Rat-Hat" I could find.

If you're set on wearing a baseball cap though, I'd say go for it. If any Koreans question it, just say it's a cultural difference.

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

I worked with a teacher who did something similar with the headphones (wore them at all times, even in class) and all the teachers and students thought he was crazy. They would always ask me why he was wearing them because they were too scared to ask him.

Now, if you want to wear them in the teachers office, that would be fine, I can see now 5 of the 9 teachers in the office wearing them.

As for the hat, always take it off when you are inside (domed stadiums don't count).

AsiaESLbound · Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Location: Truck Stop Missouri

I can use big headphones provided by my school while sitting. It's probably not be OK to be jamming to my IPOD while teaching, thus, ignoring the students and co-teacher.

As for caps, it seems to be OK for students to wear them in class which is a big no no in the West, but a teacher would look silly wearing one indoors. Would your co-teachers wear those sun visor things indoors?

WadRUG'naDoo · Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Location: Shanghai

When I taught in Korea at a hagwon, I'd wear a hat if I was in a hurry to get to work and didn't have time to wash my hair. No biggie. All the time? I don't think that's appropriate. But if you get away with it and that's what you like to do, go for it. Whatever.

Because all you really need is this:

http://www.djcostumes.com/images/Clown/ClownAdultClownSuitBlue.gif

furtakk · Joined: 02 Jun 2009

i wear headphones during prep times in the office sometimes, but that's about it. while you're in the classroom? ridiculously unprofessional.

same goes for hat. should not be worn in school period. you're not 16.

brickabrack · Joined: 17 May 2010

lukas · Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Location: Bucheon

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:53 am Post subject:

Basically its fine to wear headphones when you are preparing lessons at your desk or not in class. Thats up to you.

Wearing headphones in class is not someting you should do. You are supposed to be teaching....

The hat thing....up to you but do you really think wearing a baseball cap in school helps your image with co-workers and students, especially if you wear said cap in class??

Then again to each his own.

namerae · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Location: Anyang, RoK

Wearing headphones during breaks? I can see that, but maybe only one bud.

A hat indoors? No way.

drama_addict · Joined: 30 Aug 2009 Location: Seoul

Headphones? I think these are fine, but only when you're in the teacher's room/office between classes.

Hat? Never. I've never seen a Korean teacher or Westerner wearing a hat in school here.

jonpurdy · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Location: Ulsan

Headphones: of course you can use those at your desk. As long as you don't listen to music so loudly that the sound bleeds out from them.

Hat: I suppose you COULD wear a hat. On Sports Day or if you're on a field trip. It would look pretty silly in the classroom, though.