Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Seoulman69]

I'm considering applying for SMOE next year and would like to move to a high school. However, I am a tad concerned about teaching high school students. What are the pros and cons of working in your SMOE high school?

Thanks.

[hapigokelli]

You don't get to choose what grade level you will teach with SMOE.

In any case, for me, teaching high school girls was incredibly boring. The kids were always tired from studying and a bit difficult to motivate. I much prefer middle school.

[Caffeinated]

An acquaintance requested high school and got a highly academic one. My acquaintance was challenged by the advanced nature of the lessons requested from him and wanted a switch right away. I thought his school would've been a great fit for me but I don't mind the more relaxed workplace I requested and got.

Anyways it's pretty hard to generalize about SMOE high schools. Every one has its pros and cons.

[jrock]

I have never worked at a high school, but one of my friends has.

One of the pros would be that before and during test/exam time, there will be no English classes. You will probably be required to be at school, but you can do a lot of planning and relaxing.

[youtuber]

I think the worst part of SMOE (high school or not) is having a Korean co-teacher. Your co-teacher can be great or awful. And if they are awful, it will be a loooonnnngggg year. Switching jobs, as you know, is very difficult.

For me, the chances of working with a psycho deter me from working at a public school.

I have had co-teachers in the past - 2 were great and one was just awful. And man did she make showing up to work painful.

[brento1138]

Believe it or not, I actually worked at a university in Seoul and am happily working at a high school in Korea. Yes, I do believe it is possible to get a 'bad' position. But I'll tell you my story, as you never know, you may get as lucky as I did.

I applied to be a high school teacher with SMOE back in early 2010 and got placed exactly where I wanted to. That said, there was always that frightening possibility I may get placed in elementary. Ughhh. No thanks. I am not into teaching "I like apples" anymore, or singing songs about an alien named Zeeto.

No, high school teaching is much more my preference. I work in an area of town where students all have a very good understanding of English already. The levels are extremely mixed, so you'll probably teach a class of 38 students. Generally speaking, my classes run very well. I am a professional, and treat my school, students, job as such. I am the first foreigner to work here, so they never had a bad experience with another foreigner, whereas some schools do, and you may be treated worse because of that. Or perhaps they had a super star teacher before, and are no so stoked on you. Who knows.

Also, it REALLY depends on your co-workers. My co-workers are awesome. Two of them in my office are actually younger than me (a 26 and 28 year old) and the older people are totally cool too. We all go for lunch together, chat in English, and Korean, and they treat me with a ton of respect. I've had nothing but amazing experiences at this high school, and am probably going to sign for another year. It definitely beats my time at the university, believe it or not... although the university work was great, conditions (such as pay, support) are much better here at my high school.

I say go for it. Apply with SMOE. And put down 'high school' as your preference. There is a chance you can get an amazing job, yet there is a chance you'll end up in absolute hell! Most of it depends on... guess who? ON YOU!!

[waynehead]

It's almost like brent is my clone. I have the exact same experience at the high school where I now work. I love it.

The cons? I'd say it can be a lot more demanding than other esl jobs here, when regular classes are in session, especially if like me you're asked to teach a full load and then some.

But I really enjoy working here and am hoping to re-sign soon.

[Seoulman69]

Thanks for the replies. I worked in a GEPIK elementary school for 8 months and my co-teacher made my life hell so i am still a little bit reluctant to work in a public school.
I have however been working at after school programs for a couple of years now and have had no problems with any of my co-teachers.
I am also studying for an online MA TESOL. Would i have much time during the day to study, or are you busy from 9-5pm?

[waynehead]

I'm busy from 7:30 to 3:30 with classes, sometimes I have to stay after for planning/extra stuff, but, usually my evenings are free. Of course, usually the last thing I want to do is sit down and study something after work, also.

[Seoulman69]

waynehead - that's alot of hours teaching. if you don't mind me asking, how much are you making a month? Do you have the option of whether or not you want to do over the 22 hours?

[brento1138]

Free time varies for me. Sometimes I am pretty busy with extra classes (and extra money, woo hoo!) but recently I've had a whole lot of free time on my hands. Doing an MA in anything would be easy peasy.

[NM14456]

There are two areas of teaching for SMOE in a high school that aren't so great from my point of view.

#1 You'll probably spend a lot of time lesson planning while your Korean co-teachers will largely be just reading/teaching out of a book. If there's no "leveling" of abilities your lesson planning can feel time consuming (especially if you're really trying to write meaningful lessons). Additionally, your co-teachers may have little or no idea on why you're making/doing a lesson plan a specific way. I think they rarely have training on how to teach English outside of the test prep stuff.

#2. This is tough as it can cut both ways but I think you are more likely to be involved with cultural issues in a high school. By this I mean group dynamics, invites to go out and drink, sitting with a certain group of people , who the principal/vp likes and doesn't like etc..
I can do it but to be honest, I don't really like negotiating the cultural stuff here and find a lot of the co-worker "conversation" boring - but you have to do it for keeping it a happy appearing situation.

[Vagabundo]

seems to me that the benefits of living in Seoul are negated by working for SMOE. SMOE will make your life far more miserable than the other provincial offices of education. Enjoy many many mandated camps, after school classes and all other sorts of assorted "goodies".

[NM14456]

[brento1138]