Korean Job Discussion Forums

grandpa · Joined: 19 Oct 2009

Some questions for those who have worked at an elementary public school in Korea.

Was graduation day a big deal? Was there a ceremony, and were you invited to the ceremony?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Cerulean · Joined: 19 Aug 2009

No, it's not a big deal. I was never invited to a ceremony and I can't remember if there was one.

tokkibunni8 · Joined: 13 Nov 2009

At my school graduation was on the last day of the semester in February right before spring break for the past 3 years that I've been working there. The ceremony is quite big and all fifth graders are required to attend with their homeroom teachers. The headteacher always invites me and I make sure to stop in for the opening part (10mins) and come back at the end to eat the buffet.

Epik_Teacher · Joined: 28 Apr 2010

Foreign teachers, being lowest on the totem pole are seldom invited. Truthfully, I don't want to go to one anyway. Outside of work, I avoid Korean social situations as much as possible. But I think the graduation is actually more for the parents than the kids, anyway.

Kaypea · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

I wasn't invited to the graduation at my middle school last year, which was ok. The ceremony is a big deal for the kids and parents: it would probably be awkward to have you there, unless if a lot of the parents and kids spoke English well.

At a kindy hagwon, the graduation is a big whoop-dee-doo, and a lot of the parents want to meet the foreign teachers.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

You don't need to be invited to these graduations, you just show up and take a few pictures, after there is a strong possibility of a free meal. At least that's how it goes with middle and high schools.