Korean Job Discussion Forums

aarondo · Joined: 09 Aug 2011

I'm looking through several applications right now and they all ask for an "educational setting" preference, essentially asking if you would want to teach in primary, middle, or high school. From what I hear, teaching in high school isn't all that great because the students are so burned out from other subjects that they don't particularly care about English. I was curious to hear about anyone else's personal experience and their recommendation.

Thanks in advance!
Aaron

Gorf · Joined: 25 Jun 2011

Anything but Kindergarten. Elementary kids can be high energy and crazy, middle school can be awkward and silent and rebellious due to puberty, and high school kids are usually zombified from overwork.

andrewchon · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 12:31 pm Post subject:

Put down 'high school' and forget about it.
Your choice is irrelevant. You'll be herded towards where there are needs, mainly the kinder/elem. If you're strong enough to reject all the kindy offers, you might get a middle school.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

Kinder can be good if you sign with a good school and really like little kids.

marsavalanche · Joined: 27 Aug 2010 Location: where pretty lies perish

kindy. kids college, wonderland, slp, poly, any of these are great opportunities

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I have worked with all grade levels and ability levels of students, from pre-pre-school (yes, double pre- -- they were 3 years old Western age) up to businessmen older than my father. In the US, I am licensed and certified to teach English and science, and have worked as a high school teacher there for 8 years before my current stint in Korea....

I said all that because I have discovered that my favorite age to teach is actually 4th grade elementary school. I also really enjoy the 3rd graders, but they are a lot of work, and the "enjoyable" part of the year doesn't start for me until the midpoint.

I never would have known how much I like teaching the younger ones if I hadn't been placed outside my original comfort zone.

I thought I knew what I would like best. I was pushed into doing something I thought I would not enjoy...but discovered I actually liked it BETTER than what I had thought I would prefer....

Just sayin'....

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

It really depends on YOU.

I started off teaching at universities (at home before Korea) and moved my way down through HS. MS, and ES (with some kindy in there as well).

Personally, I like the little ones (kindy) followed by K4-6.
They ARE more work (prep and in class) and they do take a lot of energy but they are worth the effort - IMHO.

It all depends on you. Pick a level and work with them. Try another level for your next contract and find your niche.

IF you are just looking for a gap year after college then it is only 1 year and you won't know the difference (you'll spend all your time figuring out how to teach and getting by while you are abroad).

.

gem · Joined: 06 Dec 2010

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

It depends on you. I've taught all levels from kindy to adult and enjoyed them all generally. But for me personally high school level (where I am right now and where I taught before) is the most rewarding. Not everyone there goes to a hakwon and the English level is high enough in most cases for competent communication.

But yes mileage will vary depending on the teacher and the school.

WadRUG'naDoo · Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Location: Shanghai

DaHu · Joined: 09 Feb 2011

I liked elementary the best. They seemed to actually learn and could enjoy class, others not so much.

offtheoche · Joined: 21 Mar 2007

In Korea avoid grades 5,6,7........as these are mainly spolit and pampered little workshy brats.

Apart from that it doesn't really matter. Most Korean students have huge resentment and despise learning the Queen's Englisheeeee with an equal passion!

emmajuno · Joined: 11 Sep 2010

If it's your first gig then elementary is your best bet. They're still somewhat afraid of punishment and not hormonal. Also old enough to have a better grasp of how to behave in a classroom. I would NEVER teach kindergarten. I'm currently teaching kids that are just out of kindy and my god, I wish I wasn't.

But you know, if you have no teaching experience then just go for whatever you think you might be okay with and go with it. No-one can really help you. I teach elementary and I probably would have been suited to middle or high school much better. But you know, it's alright. Just think about location, pay, etc.

jeremysums · Joined: 08 Apr 2011

Kiddie is like babysitting. Almost. Wish they take more naps.