Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PatrickGHBusan]

[UncleAlex]

[earthquakez]

I think there are quite a few cases where schools (referring to hagwons too) have gone for the fresh graduates or not-so-long-out-of- university-and-never-had-any-teaching-experience type of person and found themselves saddled with incompetents.

That's not saying all those in the above category are hopeless at teaching. I've met some really good people of that kind in Korea and they care about their students, did some materials or lesson preparation before they came, and realised that their job was going to be more than a 'see the world' experience.

But I've also met and seen on one web site in particular, the notion that these kind of newbies are entitled to have everything laid on for them. Lesson plans, detailed notes and instructions on how to teach, a library of English books, even fully stocked shelves and fridges in their rooms or apartments.

If the old teacher leaves you some lesson plans and materials, be grateful. If you have to do your own then that's what you've been hired for. It's nobody's fault that you didn't bother learning the basics of ESL/EFL teaching back home through buying some kids' books, going to a library with those kinds of materials, surfing the net for tips and material etc.

The young English teachers that are so prized by employers in Korea these days often though not always struggle with their jobs in Korea. To the older teachers here getting frustrated by the preference for the inexperienced youngster over their accumulated experience that includes how to handle classes of young students, don't let it get you down.

These kinds of employers are getting what they want and they deserve it when the teacher they hired for their young age and/or looks can't do the basics well or at all. Do you want to work for employers like that anyway? Older teachers' job searches will take longer but you'll probably end up getting somebody worthwhile working for.

I also don't buy into the notion that you have to go to some backwater and can't be fussy. There are too many locations in Korea that are so devoid of nearly every kind of opportunity and you'll spend money like water trying to get out of there as often as possible to head to Seoul or Busan.

[gava01]

Today's my 48th birthday and I plan on staying in Korea until I'm 55.


Find a good company and stay with them.

[SteveJobs]

I'm a 26 year old American male and I had been sending out resumes to Koreas for about 2 months now. I had some telephone interviews but nothing serious. I was beginning to think that people were hesitant to hiring a person of color (me!) but alas my fears have subsided as I've just been offered a job at a really good Hagwon not far from Seoul.

All I'm saying is to keep hope alive and to keep at it. I'm sure you'll find something eventually. I was worried but now I'll be moving out to Korea in just 2 weeks!

I'm sending positive vibes your way! Good luck!

[3DR]

[lowpo]