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MollyBloom

Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Location: James Joyce's pants
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 5:47 pm Post subject: working for SMOE, but not as a teacher |
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Do you have to hold an F-4 visa or be a Korean citizen to do the job of Jon Pak and the other staff there? I honestly would like to help teachers get hired for SMOE, help with orientation, help new NETs get situated in Seoul, etc. I suppose being fluent or near fluent in Korean is required, so that limits a lot of applicants anyway.
I really enjoy teacher training and would love to do that for a DOE in Korea! I actually have requested to do open classes and orientations and have done quite a few. Imagine the look of relief on the face of the other NET at my school when I volunteered to do the open classes! |
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Seoul'n'Corea
Joined: 06 Nov 2008
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: working for SMOE, but not as a teacher |
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MollyBloom wrote: |
Do you have to hold an F-4 visa or be a Korean citizen to do the job of Jon Pak and the other staff there? I honestly would like to help teachers get hired for SMOE, help with orientation, help new NETs get situated in Seoul, etc. I suppose being fluent or near fluent in Korean is required, so that limits a lot of applicants anyway.
I really enjoy teacher training and would love to do that for a DOE in Korea! I actually have requested to do open classes and orientations and have done quite a few. Imagine the look of relief on the face of the other NET at my school when I volunteered to do the open classes! |
I think if you were kind to new people, you'd be doing a far better job that JP does. JP needs a good kick out of SMOE head office for his abuse of authority and rudeness to NETs during and after orientation. |
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mm
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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Why don't you apply for the teacher training jobs that are out there? A couple of my colleagues use to do that before they moved into their current jobs. |
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MollyBloom

Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Location: James Joyce's pants
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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mm wrote: |
Why don't you apply for the teacher training jobs that are out there? A couple of my colleagues use to do that before they moved into their current jobs. |
I'm really not familiar with that area because I have previously worked at hagwons and SMOE; could you tell me a little bit about it? |
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mm
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know much about it either, but I can ask my coworkers today if I see them. I'll PM you later. I know they taught both Korean and foreign English teachers. |
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MollyBloom

Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Location: James Joyce's pants
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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mm wrote: |
I don't know much about it either, but I can ask my coworkers today if I see them. I'll PM you later. I know they taught both Korean and foreign English teachers. |
Thanks a lot! |
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mmstyle
Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: wherever
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 7:39 pm Post subject: Re: working for SMOE, but not as a teacher |
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Seoul'n'Corea wrote: |
MollyBloom wrote: |
Do you have to hold an F-4 visa or be a Korean citizen to do the job of Jon Pak and the other staff there? I honestly would like to help teachers get hired for SMOE, help with orientation, help new NETs get situated in Seoul, etc. I suppose being fluent or near fluent in Korean is required, so that limits a lot of applicants anyway.
I really enjoy teacher training and would love to do that for a DOE in Korea! I actually have requested to do open classes and orientations and have done quite a few. Imagine the look of relief on the face of the other NET at my school when I volunteered to do the open classes! |
I think if you were kind to new people, you'd be doing a far better job that JP does. JP needs a good kick out of SMOE head office for his abuse of authority and rudeness to NETs during and after orientation. |
+1 |
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allan of asia
Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Here, there, everywhere
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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the best place to think about if you wanted to stay in smoe but not teach per se, would be to work at SETI - the training place - its quite hard to get into (usually), but people stay there for a long time once they are there...if you have a supportive school ask them about it for your next contract - only downside for me would be the location, its far from a subway, and right down in the south tip of seoul - and a lot of travelling to schools and local training centres. |
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iggyb
Joined: 29 Oct 2003
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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You'll need a MA in an education related field. Doesn't have to be TESOL but should be in education... |
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Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
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Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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You need a set of huge puckered lips to kiss massive butts all the time.  |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 5:48 am Post subject: |
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How is SMOE nowadays? Really strict? I stuck to the country because it was more laid back. But now it's getting strict too. Thanks recession! |
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wylies99

Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!
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Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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Good luck OP. From the sound of things the SMOE, GEPIK, and EPIK offices could all use more competent employees to work with the foreign teachers. |
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southernman
Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Location: On the mainland again
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Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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wylies99 wrote: |
Good luck OP. From the sound of things the SMOE, GEPIK, and EPIK offices could all use more competent employees to work with the foreign teachers. |
I totally agree, when I rang EPIK with a concern during the first month of my first contract. I was put onto a Canadian and the information she gave me was awesome.
I've also thought this for a while, for the above reason, but also
During the telephone interview stage, I think suitably qualified, not just Teacher qualified westerners would make a huge difference in being able to give good advise about teaching and living here from a western perspective and also to help weed out unsuitable applicants |
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verloc
Joined: 24 Jul 2010
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Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: working for SMOE, but not as a teacher |
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Seoul'n'Corea wrote: |
I think if you were kind to new people, you'd be doing a far better job that JP does. JP needs a good kick out of SMOE head office for his abuse of authority and rudeness to NETs during and after orientation. |
If you've ever been involved in anything that requires dealing with NETs as a group, I think you might be able to have some sympathy for Jon.
A friend of mine is district Head Teacher, and the amount of ridiculous complaints, rude emails and generally unpleasant attitudes he's had to deal with from teachers is quite astonishing. I can only imagine what it must be like for Jon having to deal with all districts, and having to deal with people who seem incapable of undertaking the simplest procedures, yet display a sense of entitlement that bears little relationship to their function as NETs.
His role was initially far too wide ranging - he was literally doing nearly everything at one point. This has now been scaled back and he appears more relaxed.
Most complaints seem to surface from the orientation. Well, it's been pretty well documented that in previous years NETs weren't exactly understanding that it was supposed to be a paid training session, not a drunken free for all.
I've dealt with Jon a few times, and he's been perfectly straightforward. Perhaps not overflowing with charm, but pragmatic and helpful. He's a good guy to keep on side if you ever need to re-apply; he really helped out a friend of mine to fill a position at short notice. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Most complaints seem to surface from the orientation. Well, it's been pretty well documented that in previous years NETs weren't exactly understanding that it was supposed to be a paid training session, not a drunken free for all.
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Every training session I've ever been on away from home has involved drinking at night. Usually participants on the course say that the socialising part was the most useful experience as they forged relationships with people they could work with at a later stage. I've heard the same said about the NET orientations, though I've never been on one. Young people should be able to drink pretty heavily at night and still be able to get up early and attend training sessions during the day. Obviously if people go too far and smash up the hotel room etc... they should be fired but there's a case to be made for SMOE/EPIK etc... allowing and encouraging reasonable drinking for team building purposes. Preferable to treating people like high school kids. Just my opinion. |
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