Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thomas pars]

So I got a job offer to teach a 9-6 kindie job. Pays 2.4.

I've taught kindie classes twice a week for 40 minutes at my previous elementary job. It was tough work. But they were pretty darn cute.

It is either this or a high school job in Bucheon.

Thanks.

[ttompatz]

[jlemky]

My husband and I love teaching kindergarten, but I agree with the above poster - you have to like little kids and appreciate that they are, well, little kids. I teach 3 and half year olds to six year olds, and it is a huge difference from year to year. Kindergarten takes a lot of energy and interaction - the kids don't have the skills (in any language!) to sit and do a project for 20 minutes. They are learning discipline, playing nicely, boundaries, friendship, all for the first time! This means you get a bigger challenge, for the kids haven't been "trained" yet - BUT you don't have any "broken" kids who have been wrecked by bad schooling either.

So - it takes a lot of energy, the kids are full of it, but if you like that kind of an interactive job versus a more academic job, then go for kindie!

[furtakk]

the hardest part about kindie for me is the long day. if kindie jobs had similar hours to afternoon jobs (6-7 hour shifts with prep) they would be great. the problem with kindie in korea is that nearly every hagwon that has a kindergarten program tries to maximize on their workers by having them teach from morning to 6 or 7PM. it's just too exhausting.

[Skippy]

[schwa]

[marsavalanche]

did it for a month. i can barely do 1st grade. if you have to think about it dont do it. if you are that desperate for the extra cash you could make it work

[dumpring]

Doing a 9:30-6:30 at the moment. It's mostly just supervising games and activities with the younger kids rather than teaching.
You're with them for a long time though,
10:00-12:00 (2x10minute break)
1:00-2:30(1x10minute break)
3:20-4:50(1x10minute break)
5:10-6:30(1x10minute break)

See the same kids every day too so it's more like being a homeroom teacher. We aren't required to help with lunch etc but the days are rather long. If you don't have a good Korean staff to help manage kids and prep it could be hellish.

[Modernist]

[northway]

[Kaypea]

Teaching kindy was the single most horrifying experience of my life. I think if you suspect it could be difficult for you, don't do it. You have to be firm without ever really being angry. You have to actually like singing songs. You can't be too sensitive to strangely cruel little insults, like, "Teacher, I don't like you. I only like x teacher." You have to be one of those people little kids always like.

[Modernist]

[SeoulNate]

I loved teaching kindergarten here, but, and it is a BIG but, I only worked until 3:30 in the afternoon.

If I had worked the 9:30-6 or 7 pm shift I would have gone crazy. It is just too much teaching. You simply cannot be an effective teacher when you are in the classroom for more than 5-6 hours a day. Especially when 4 of those hours are going to be kindergarten which takes a lot more up front prep than the other grades.

My advice? Avoid any school that has you working from 9:30-6 or 7.

[Illysook]

I loved singing songs with my kindies but I did not have them all day long. I had elementary aged students in the afternoon. That first year was tough.

Last year, I taught at a public high school. They don't cooperate any better than kindies, but due to exams and whatnot, you wll have more downtime. If those are your choices and if the money is similar, take the high school.

This year, I will work at a hagwon where I will teach adults. Motivated learners are a luxury that can be had with a year or two of experience...and my CELTA certificate didn't hurt either.

[NohopeSeriously]

I didn't mind teaching kindies. They were more motivated than 4th graders who loved celebrities, games, soccer and cellphone accessories.

Protip: kindies love Pororo.