Korean Job Discussion Forums

[siwawalter]

Do teachers have a dress code?

[Louis VI]

In many countries all teachers, including ESL teachers, are expected to wear (for guys) dress slacks and a button down shirt. But in Korea there are still some who wear jeans and t-shirt. Certainly the more formal you dress, the more you are respected here. Mon to Thurs I choose to wear a suit and go without jacket and tie on casual fridays. I am treated MUCH better out on the streets and in shops when dressed like that than when dressed on the weekend in jeans or shorts. I was utterly shocked by the contrast but am used to it now.

[MattAwesome]

it is really up to the school. i agree 100% with above poster. everybody does their different thing. i dress in slacks and button down, no tie. i like to look nice and my vp appreciates it. if i were a tie, he likes it more.

[Sector7G]

[tombanjo]

I've found that it depends on the school. When I first got to Korea I wore slacks, a button down shirt, jacket and tie everyday until I was told that it wasn't necessary to do so. I always try to look presentable, but save "dressing up" for special school events like special visitors, open classes, graduations, festivals, etc.

I should note that I only work at very small, rural schools and thus I think it would be very different at schools in the cities.

Even so, as others have pointed out, dressing up will get you lots of respect in Korea and can be a pretty crucial component of making a good first impression with your employers.

[RMNC]

Women:
http://tinyurl.com/womencasual

Men:
http://tinyurl.com/ylawk79

[Weigookin74]

I dressed up my first week at schools. After that, I stopped because I found many teachers didn't dress up. Older teachers dress up more and younger ones don't, except for special occasions. When I first came here in 2007, I found most of us foriegners dressed casually too. Seems many new foriegners, I meet now dress up more. Not sure why that is. No one has ever told me to dress up. Guess, I'm judged more on my teaching and popularity with the students. I always walked and biked to school in the past and hated getting sweaty in dress clothes during the summer. Some remote rural schools, I even wore shorts during the hot weather. But, if I were a lousy teacher, it probably would have been something the principal would have torn my head off about. I'm in a regional city and much bigger place. I've decided against shorts here.

My regional city seems to have much older teachers, while the countryside had much younger teachers. Is it like that in Seoul too? I'm not sure. So it might seem people dress up more.

[Darkeru]

I'm in the 'jeans and shirt' camp. Originally I wore the whole dress trousers, shirt and tie, but a few days in, the head co-teacher directly told me to wear casual clothes or it's too hot.

The Korean young teachers often wear jeans, etc too.

[Illysook]

Just think of what your teachers wore. Even the gym coach would dress up on game day, but there are a few caveats.

Ladies, your Korean co-workers seem put together in very cute feminine outfits that make most of us foreigners look like Little Miss Muffet and/or her tuffet. Do not try to copy them, and also try to remember that leggings are not pants.

Also, if you are inadvertantly immodest above the waist your youngest kindies will try to nurse. If your shirt rides up above your waistline, your older kids will giggle hysterically. Think of the time when your least fashionable teacher wore the wrap skirt that came unwrapped. Was she embarrassed? Did you laugh your butt off? It's nearly the same thing for them.

Gentlemen should wear shirts with collars most of the time. Wrinkle free cotton twill trousers (Khaki's or Chino's) will take you anywhere you have to go. Have a jacket and tie handy for meeting parents and once you are making some money, have a suit made for special occasions. I understand that there are some good deals here. Jeans or shorts are fine for weekends and sometimes you can wear them with a jacket.

[DorkothyParker]

Business casual is a good starting place. (Khakis and polos for dudes, slacks and button up or cardigan for ladies).
If you work kindergarten, you will generally find it's okay to dress down and I often do.
Getting marker or oil crayon on my hand-painted Anthroplogie cardigan is not my idea of a good time.

Leggings are pants so long as they aren't sheer and your top fully covers your rear and V area. :/

[jonpurdy]

One thing to keep in mind is that business casual doesn't really exist in Korea. It's either jeans and sweaters/t-shirts or suit pants and dress shirts.

It also depends on your school (and whether it's elementary or middle/high). I'm an elementary school teacher. I wear a suit once a week but dress casually the other days. It balances out. And of course a suit on any special days (first day, parent's day, going out to dinner afterwards, etc.).

If you're a middle school teacher I'd stick with wearing a dress shirt and pants every day.

Louis IV makes a good point about how much better you are treated when wearing a suit versus jeans and a t-shirt while shopping. It's similar at schools though it's not necessary to dress up every day (if you're teaching elementary).

[Weigookin74]

[Weigookin74]

I knew teachers who dressed up, but were lazy and not good teachers. They didn't get respect. I wore shorts at one of my country schools in the past. Didn't think the principal liked it; but he liked me after the kids liked me and I taught good classes. If you're going to dress your own way and have an individual flair, be a darn good teacher. Then, they'll leave you alone.

[L&MaC's]

[sadguy]

when i was in uni, the professor told us "teaching is a professional job, so you should dress like a professional." that makes sense to me. i wear a shirt and tie. except during winter, i have a heavy coat on so i just wear whatever underneath, but keep the slacks.

i would feel like a bum if i wore jeans and a shirt to teach.