Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shawner88]

Do you hate your teaching job?

[Confused Canadian]

I have hated many a teaching job in the past, but am quite satisfied with the one I have now. That's not to say that I don't have "bad days" ( I do ), but yes, for the most part, I'm satisfied with my current job.

I realized that one of the reasons that I hated jobs in the past was "teaching burnout". I taught at hagwons for many years, with very little break in between jobs. The week or two you get for vacation at a hagwon isn't enough. I ended up walking out on one job and took 6 months off. Best thing I ever did.

I'm lucky that the job I have now has lots of vacation time, thus allowing me to '"recharge my batteries". I now understand why teachers back home have such long vacations...they need it. I've also learned that I need those long vacations too. Without the down time I have now, I'd probably end up hating the job I have now, eventually....

Confused Canadian

[osangrl]

I love my job. Love love love love love my job.
I just re signed and i was determined to leave Korea.... but i love this job toooooooooo much.

[sadsac]

I have my days when it is the worst job in the world, but they are few and far between.

[crazylemongirl]

I love my current gig. I want to stay one more year if they'll have me.

[the_beaver]

Not by a long shot. It's the best job I've ever had.

[Yangkho]

Last year was rough.

This time around, I get a lot of support and help with things. That makes all the difference. I don't have any problem students and I don't dread any of my classes.

Life is good in Jeonnam.

[katydid]

[shawner88]

Sounds like jobs are getting better these days! I did this post on the old forum and most people said they hated their job. That was 4 years ago though. I think there are some who just don't like teaching, but want to live overseas and need a job.

[katydid]

I have to say I don't hate my job, but three years in Korea in one drawn out measure is more than enough, and I hope to be going home soon after that.

[Mashimaro]

I don't hate teaching I just hate jerk off kids, and unfortunately every class seems to have at least one. Never going back to a kid's hagwon, fine for some, not for me.

[The Great Toad]

I love it most days- and not to brag but truth be told - I love my students too- like I always say, "I'd take a bullet in the gut for that kid- no problem." Not to say I hate life or anything it / the job is toooo easy.

[eamo]

I need a middle option. It can be great but like all Korean hagwons it can be very frustrating!

[oneiros]

I love my job - most days.

I hated my last job, though.

[ThePoet]

When I took my first Korean job last year, I simply posted my resume on Dave's and after I got all the emails and one phone call, I decided upon the school that called me rather than the 40 that emailed. I didn't do any research, I didn't even know Dave's had these discussion boards, I just took the job. I sent them my original diploma, I paid for my own airline ticket on their promise that they would pay me back immediately upon arrival, and all I knew was that it was 6 hours a day @ 1.9 a month

Sound like a recipe for disaster? It probably was in 70% of the other hakwans in this country. However, these people have been totally up-front and honest. They have been wonderful and I have never ever been happier in all my life.

I told the director, before signing my second contract that I would be looking for a university position during this contract. She wrote me a letter of recommendation, has promised me a letter of release when I find one, and has told me I "deserve" a university job because I would be good at it.

This is, absolutely and by far, the best job I've ever had. The person who gets it when I go to my university gig will be very blessed indeed.

Poet