Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BigJ]

I haven't found any specific information about this location (Topia Suji), are there any current or former teachers who can bring up to speed on this particular school? Curious about the administration, actual working hours (says 2-10 but unclear if that's just teaching), the location, the apartments and really anything good or bad about working at this school.

Thank You!

[Auslegung]

Here's a thread from a couple years ago where someone was asking about a particular Topia campus. I gave a lot of information in it, there are lots of people who critiqued the conditions, but I liked them. I may repeat some info here, if so sorry. http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=158611&highlight=

I worked for Topia in Jukjeon a couple years ago and overall enjoyed it. The foreign coordinator did a great job of intervening on our behalf, and of relating the concerns of the administration to us foreigners without offending us due to cultural differences. I think the Suji campus is brand new, is that correct? If so then I helped interview kids for placement when they were first opening, in late 2009/early 2010. Maybe not, though.

Anyway, I can't tell you anything much about that specific campus, unless it is the brand new one and then I can say it's pretty nice, obviously. As for working hours, You have to be there at 2pm, but classes don't start until 3:30 or 3:50 depending on the day. MWF you'll teach the 1-3rd graders kids from like 3:30-5:30, the 4-5th graders from 5:40-7:40, and the 6th graders from 7:50-10. TR you'll teach the 3-4 graders from 3:50-6:50, and the 5-6 graders from 7-10, give or take. You'll have 5 minutes between classes, and 10-15 when the grade levels change, though at our campus we had to walk the kids down to the buses and that ate into our break a few minutes. Take all those time estimates with a grain of salt, they don't work out exactly right but that's a pretty close estimate.

One thing I would suggest you try to negotiate on your contract is to not have to work 30 hours. If you work 30 hours a week, you have zero significant breaks from 3:30-10. If you can get it so you only have to teach 25 or 28 hours, that'd be the best. While I was there I worked anywhere from 25-30 hours, and honestly I thought that 25 hours was a little boring, too much free time and by that point I was so used to preparing for class that it took me no time at all. 30 hours, however, was a bit much. 26-27 was ideal.

All the curriculum is provided, and though they do change books when needed, it didn't happen often while I was there, so that by my 3rd and 4th semester I was able to teach with my eyes closed, so to speak. Just make sure you keep all your prep work from your first semester, because that'll make it easier in your subsequent semesters.

You know that your experience will be based largely on the administration and fellow teachers, which I can't help you with, so hopefully someone comes in and fills in the gaps for you. I'm returning to Korea in a couple months, hopefully, and the only reason I'm not returning with Topia is that they don't teach preschool/kindie, which is what I want. If they did, I'd go with them in a heartbeat.