Korean Job Discussion Forums

[heartsprinkles11]

SOOOOO.... I'm with the new swarm of EPIK teachers bound for Korea in August. I wanted to get a semi early start and idea of what things to bring and what not to bring.

CLOTHING! What do English teachers wear? Is it casual? Semi formal? Hmmmmmm?

[Aquaricorndos]

All potents point to semi-casual. Teachers usually dress like they're going to an interview, from what I can tell. I'm part of the swathe of new EPIK teachers too but Koreans and former EPIKs have told me as much.

Boys - slacks, collared shirt, tie and unless its stifling hot a jacket.

Girls - skirts to or past the knees or in some places pants are okay, professional top.

[Patrick Bateman]

[Ramen]

yeah, just cover your private parts.

[sadguy]

it's simple, teaching is a professional job, so dress like a professional.

some will argue that you're not a teacher. that's dumb, you run your own class and you work in a school, you are a teacher.

[southernman]

At PS on your first (official) day, always wear a suit. That's when you meet everyone, depending on your school you will meet all the importamt people including the Office Manager (the most important because they pay your wages, work out your tax and pension payments, some of them can be very creative in helping you out ). In my current scool I just met the VP's but it has 1600 students so I'm just another body.

It doesn't hurt to wear one when you meet the POE Supervisor (during orientation) who tells you where you are getting placed as well.

Get a good rapport going with your head co-teacher as soon as possible, there will be other special days like meet the parents, open class etc when you should be suited up. make a point to politley ask your main co-teacher which days you should wear a suit.

From there you can follow the lead of the other male teachers or in my case I just dress business casual all the time. I like to be one of the better dressed males at my school everyday and it does get noticed and commented on.

Its just a matter of being a professional and the little bit of effort does make a difference. Quite a few PS western teachers here in Korea have shocking dress standards. No doubt, they are part of the 'can't get a job back home' crowd.

Some NET's have no idea, concept or experience in being (and acting like) a professional. They dress like a bum get treated like a bum. By their students and fellow teachers and come here on to dave's and complain about it.

They crack me up and amuse me constantly There will always be one in the group at the pub. It's a bit like playing poker, if you can't spot the sucker then you're it. Here, if you can't spot the hopeless case who somehow got a 'gig' teaching then again its you.

[travelnguy]

I really think it depends on the school

I am at two schools. One is a private school and the other is a public school. At my private school, I wear slacks and a dress shirt with a tie. At my public school, I wear khakis or jeans and a polo or other collared shirt. Out of the 50 or so teachers at the public school, there are less than 5 that wear ties. Most women wear jeans. It's a country school and very laid back.

[Malislamusrex]

dress how you want to be treated, if you dress professionally you will be treated professionally.
dress casually, they will treat you casually, but they will also treat you like a secretary.

[Jayoss2]

um, in my experience, and every other woman I've know, there has been no problem with wearing pants...