Korean Job Discussion Forums

jcm87 · Joined: 19 Jan 2010

I'm looking for a job in Korea teaching English (in a big city, preferably Busan) and have been telling recruiters I'd like to teach high school since it's the age group I'm best with and the one I'd like to teach. But recently, someone in Korea told me that high school students won't even listen to you because they're more concerned with preparing for their English exams than learning the language (speaking and listening skills). Someone else told me that searching for a high school position there was a bad idea because you mostly have to teach grammar and reading comprehension (boring). He also told me that it's almost impossible to find a high school position, particularly in big cities, because they can usually hire a Korean to teach the students grammar and reading comprehension. Is this true? Should I tell the recruiters that I'm looking for a different age group? Also, which do you think is more important, the age group or the city you're placed in? For example, if I get a position teaching high schoolers in Daejeon (my second choice), should I take that over a position in Busan with a different age group?

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Yes High schools students classes are more geared towards the exam. However if you get into an International high school you will get students who are quite fluent. I would definately avoid Technical high school because the students have a very low motivation and behave really badly. However there are quite a few posters on this site who enjoy technical high schools.

Middle schools are a mixed bag. If you get lucky and end up with a helpful co-teacher it's a great experience. Middle school students are really easily distracted. They love watching Mr. Bean video's .

My overall experience if you plan to work at apublic school is that you will have to design your own curriculum and prepare your own materials. This can be difficult in an enviroment where only the exam scores matter.

hapigokelli · Joined: 04 Aug 2009

Every high school is different.

I teach conversation at an affluent, girls high school. (Nearly) everyone pays attention. Everyone participates. It's the attitued that the other teachers take that will dictate if the kids "listen" to you or not. If english conversation isn't a priority at your school, more than likely the kids will know that and not take you seriously.

I would say that the city is more important than the school. You will have good and bad kids no matter what age group you teach but youcan't change your town.

Location, location, location.

jcm87 · Joined: 19 Jan 2010

Since I'm too late for the EPIK and Ulsan public school deadlines, I'm going to be a teaching at a hagwon. I was just told by a recruiter though that you can't just teach high schoolers if you work at a hagwon, you teach all age levels. Is there any way you can get a job teaching conversational english at a private high school in a city like Busan (I don't have much prior teaching experience, but I am TESOL certified)? Hapigokelli, how'd you get your job teaching at a private high school?

tanklor1 · Joined: 13 Jun 2006

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

Middle School 7th and 9th grade, girls or mixed are good. Academic High school is okay, but I've only seen 10th and 11th grade.

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

I was in the same boat as you when I was initially applying to schools I only wanted a high school.

Getting a high schools is a little difficult because there are far fewer high schools than elementary and middle schools and, like you, many people want to work with older students.

If a high school is what you want then stick to trying to get one, but if I were you I would keep an open mind.

With older kids comes crazy hormones, rebellion, "coolness", constant exams, and all that other jazz. Younger kids have their problems too, but I really enjoy the innocence.

I teach at an elementary school now and I enjoy having students who get excited at seeing a powerpoint presentation of cute puppies (6 grade boys included).

winterfall · Joined: 21 May 2009

If you want to avoid a tech school, experience matters. Your more likely to get it if you don't have experience. But you can still get it even though you've got 10+ years.

In general, tech schools aren't for everyone. You either like it / can tolerate it. Or you'll dread going to work everyday / pull a runner.

And what someone told you is right. All they generally care about is the university test even at a tech school where they don't know their a,b,c's.

Whether you have to make your own curriculum or not is up to the school. Some school's will want lessons from the textbook. Other schools don't want it / don't care.

I don't use the textbook, just teach the 1st 1000 of the GS List.

allan of asia · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Here, there, everywhere

i teach grade 1 and 3 at a large public middle school in Seoul (American 7 and 9). I originally had been apprehensive about teaching this age as my experience is in elementary kids and high school kids.

I'm glad I did - I mean in general if you work in a middle school you may be worked harder in that elementary teachers in public schools tend to not have classes after lunch as the kids go home, and the high schoolers are often under constant exam "revision" and the Korean teachers will take your time away from you to do more cramming.

Just my experience. Overall, I love middle school the kids are still young enough to not be lethargic but old enough to not be tearing round a room like idiots and certainly with my grade 3 students, often have a good convo with them!