Korean Job Discussion Forums

peppermint · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 12:47 pm Post subject:

I get the same deal, and shorter hours while the kids are on vacation- to a maximum of four hours a day for the summer program.

I don't feel screwed in the least. Not only the pension, tax and insurance are paid, but my utilities too, and they aren't deducted from my pay, so what my contract says I make is what I clear. Fine by me.

Flex Bulkchest · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 7:39 pm Post subject:

for my job, that vacation time is unofficial, the contract says 2 in winter 2 in summer, but really, on the last day of school in decemeber, they were like 'ok, see you march 2nd'. same thing now, i'm done with my school on the 12th and they're telling me a date in september to come back.

but that's just my job, it seems like the public school deal is as bit of a crap shoot, too. but i'd have to agree with the other guy, that at my school i'm treated with the same respect the korean teachers get, ex. they all bow in the halls and stuff, but you also have the same power as them, easily send them in the halls, confiscate cell phones, give them detention.

i know some hagwon workers who have this ability...and it's frickin' nice

different · Joined: 22 May 2003

I just got offered a public elementary school job. In the morning I'd teach 5th and 6th grade classes. I'd see each morning class once a week. I'm not worried about that.

In the afternoon I'd teach smaller classes of students who chose to take conversation classes after their regular classes. At 1:00 I'd teach 1st & 2nd grade, at 2:00 I'd teach 3rd & 4th grade, and at 3:00 I'd teach 5th & 6th grade. The interviewer said that the average size for these extra classes is 15-20 students. I'd see the same afternoon classes 5 times a week.

I'm worried that it would be difficult to make a lesson plan for each of the three classes (of 15-20 students) every day. I'm also worried about the student behavior... At my hogwan my weakest skill was discipline.

Are my worries well-founded?

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I did it for a few months, part-time. Never again. Just too many damn kids.

different · Joined: 22 May 2003

adventureman · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

[quote="phaedrus"]

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

peppermint · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:41 pm Post subject:

Count on at least 45 minutes planning per lesson. The textbooks are inKorean so it takes time to translate them(or at least figure out what they're getting at) then gathering supplemental materials. It adds up.

ChooChooPongPong · Joined: 15 Jun 2003

i worked in a lonely cold elementary last year and it had its ups and downs....and it was lame and boring compared to a hakwon in some ways.....but it was also easy and i had LOTS OF FREE TIME....for privates...for leisure...for whimsical random days that get canceled TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

Now I work in a top notch private elementary with a beautiful co-teacher and great kids and excellent facilities. Paid vacation. 10 weeks. What more needs to be said?

Not Angry · Joined: 31 Jan 2003

I work in a Public High School in the morning and an elementary in the afternoon... the after school program. The high school job is easy as I teach each of the 15 first year classes once a week. Meaning I make one stellar (ok.. sometimes they flop, then I have to do two a week) lesson plan and do it over all week. The elementary school is a lot more work as I teach 15 different lesson plans a week. But the money is great and makes it worth it. Plus I enjoy making my own curriculum for the students. If your elemenatry school is cool about it you can do things like math and science in English. Those lessons are a lot easier to plan and to teach than grammar lessons. 20 kids in a class isn't too much of a problem as there is a Korean teacher with me. Make sure you have a co-teacher before you sign. If you don't then you may regret it later. Also, try to negotiate directly with the school rather than through a recruiter. The recruiters take sooooooo much of the money.

If elementary school teachers want to share lesson plans that work well for them that would be great. Send me a PM if you want some ideas that have worked for me or if you have any that have worked for you.

Flex Bulkchest · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 7:25 pm Post subject:

how's this for repetition....i teach 10 classes a week at my school, an all-girls middle school...i make one lesson that is supposed to be given to all the girls...it's takes 3 weeks to make a rotation of the school...by the end i'm ready to just off myself...but it's funny cause after a couple you learn all the words in korean for a particular lesson to answer their questions, so the first graders think that i'm absolutely fluent.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

http://korealife.blogspot.com/archives/2004_08_22_korealifeblog_archives.html#109323488841317498

I'd be wary about these new positions that are being offered now, the after school programs. These untrustworthy startup agencies are rushing in to make bucks off new teachers and after what I've been dealing with (read my post above) I would be very cautious.