Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Scorpion]

Honestly, you'd think it was Korea's 'national treasure' number one. Why are they so obsessed with being seen in a dark Western suit? There's a new principle at my school (elementary school) and he has insisted that all the Korean teachers wear formal suits. Even the grade one teachers. WTF? We're not Samsung CEO's here. We're teaching kids ESL. He'd do well to spend less time obsessing on the teachers' appearances and more their teaching skills. A black suit does not make a good teacher. And in the elementary school system I think it is profoundly unnecessary.

Of course, noone has mentioned anything to me about wearing a suit. That requirement is apparently just for the 'real' teachers. Anyway, I don't own a suit in Korea. I dress presentably, but if they want me to wear a suit they's have to pay for it. And they'll need to turn on the friggin air conditioner once in a while.

[Dodge7]

"Unnecessary," yes! But kids may respond differently to you if you are teaching in a suit rather than jeans and casual wear.

[happiness]

Its from Japan, they do it there too. also, the drab colors somehow remind them of their school uniforms and their military garb.

Every Korean teacher has one or more, but when I worked at the high school, some teachers wore jeans.

As far as not worrying abt appearance and more on skills, get over that, dude. I learned very early to always have a decent haircut and a clean shirt ready at all time. Its served me well (its made me money). My 2 cents.

[andrewchon]

It's from 'Man in Black'. You'll be issued with a 'flash' and they'll forget that they saw you dancing 'Oppa GangNam Style'. You'll still have to do the dance, though.

[Scorpion]

[jvalmer]

When I went through school, most of my male teachers wore suits. However, it was in university when some professors dressed like slobs.

[thebearofbundang]

When I taught in Canada, I would wear a suit 2-3 days a week. As a young teacher I felt that this was appropriate for me to do. When I was teaching in Korea, it seemed like most of the male teachers at my schools would wear a shirt and tie, but hardly any of them wore suits daily. These days I must once again wear suits (everyday), but that's because I am no longer teaching..

[Who's Your Daddy?]

There is a discord here between dressing classy and acting classy. It's like the Beverly Hillbillies.

[The Cosmic Hum]

I don't wear a suit to class...ever.
Not even a tie...ever.

My university has no problems with it.
I dress well...and do my job well.
That seems to do it.

If you like wearing a suit and tie...good on you.
I can't stand it...wicked uncomfortable and makes most people look like a monkey.
The tie itself is not short of being a noose.

Personally, I think only politicians, lawyers, businessmen and salespeople should wear them.
That way you can easily see the liars coming.

[newb]

[andrewchon]

[edwardcatflap]

[kingplaya4]

Clothes don't make a bit of difference except for first impressions. You can wear a suit and if you bore the kids to death, then you won't see much improvement. You can wear a suit but if you just let small classroom management issues go, before you know it you're a guy up there in a monkey suit that no one respects.

[Dave Chance]

[andrewchon]

It's not just one thing but all of the them: appearance, mannerism, methods, body odor, voice timbre, leadership, choice of materials, ... the lot. Each are just as important as the other. You've been getting along with your strengths alone. You can do so much better by utilising the others.