Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Derrek]

I have never worked there, and probably never will. One boring summer day, I decided to see one of the other branches -- POLY Bundang -- so I rode up the building elevator to gain a peek inside. I found myself being stared at by a room full of people at a desk. I was just peeking/spying around for fun, so I took the elevator right back down. It looked nice, but they sure gave me a weird look.

Due to this experience, I feel I am totally 100% not qualified to say what I am going to say....

In nearly three years of reading posts about POLY, I have come to the conclusion that they definately pay a little more, but they work you to the bone for it. I haven't read anything that makes me believe that the chain is "bad" compared to what else is out there. I think they must have higher standards, work their staff hard, and aren't afraid to remove someone from the school if things aren't working out. There is a POLY near me in Bundang, and other than causing a daily temporary traffic jam with their buses, they seem like a nice outfit (it's not all their fault, as the area Math hagwons contribute more buses to the problem).

To the poster who felt it was hell -- just shake the dust off of you and move on. I hated teaching rug-rats for hours on end, too. For a few hours, it's a hoot -- past three hours a day of that, and I'm drained. Not my cup of tea.

I love teaching high school. It's a better fit for me. I've also worked with other people that I couldn't stand, and am glad I work in a place now that seems pretty good (so far). Just move on and be confident in your abilities. If you work hard and don't give up, you'll find your job match.

For those of you who are there and "love it," I just have one question: Why are they constantly hiring?

They don't seem to have that many branches.

[mary_73]

Well, all the soju has gone to your head my friend, because I NEVER said anything of the sort. I am in Korea, as you know, waiting for my husband's visa. While in Canada I taught all age groups from grade 5 to 12 and NEVER had a classroom management problem, regardless of my size. Some of use have actual classroom management skills and don't need to use our size to intimidate students. The only thing I said about not wanting to teach in Canada was all the bureaucratic stuff teachers are expected to go through. So once again, please get your facts straight, oh wait, that's the one thing you're NOT concerned about.
As for what the school was like before the assistant director we have now, how would you know, you were not even here at that time? I also taught the student you had such difficulty with and rarely if ever had a problem with him, and if you are such a model teacher why did you walk into the staff room EVERY DAY and ask the 'ratt' you berate so often what they were doing in class that day and then use their lesson plans? If your abilities are so high above others why were you not even able to come up with the most basic lesson plan?

Well, to others reading this string, let me apologize for the tangent, but utter disregard for the facts makes my blood boil. In light of this I will no longer be replying to, or even reading the malicious lies posted here. Bon Chance!

[Derrek]

[OiGirl]

I think classroom management skills from your home country don't always translate exactly into a Korean situation. There are different cultural things going on that make some strategies backfire.

There is bureacracy in any teaching situation. While teachers in Korea often don't have to do progress reports, Individual Education Plans, Personalized Education Plans, Parent Contact Logs, etc., these items are replaced by visas, Alien Registration Cards, and other documents you don't need to worry about in your home country.

(I prefer the stuff I have to worry about in Korea, but it's far less stressful to do the school paperwork in schools in North America, because IT'S ALL IN ENGLISH and 100% of the stakeholders are fluent in English (or other languages I am fluent in.)

In either of these situations, good teachers are open to sharing methods and materials. Without getting bent out of shape about it.

I hope everyone's having a good teaching and living experience this fine day!

[Chopstix]

What can I say. Apparently I am a malicious liar who drinks too much soju! lol. Anyways thanks for the advice Derrick- you are right I have moved on and do feel more comfortable with an older student body. I have a great job, great repore with staff and students and work half the time for a heck of a lot more!!!! As far as these 'SuperTeachers' I was working with..... keep on truckin- enjoy the 50 hour weeks and the non-complementive Admin! I did think you had some great lessons... - the RATT would tell us about hers every day (to anyone that would listen!) I did like some of the ideas and most of the time the Ratt was into sharing and making it known to the assistant Director/Director how awesome she was! As the previous poster said this is what teaching is about- not bragging but sharing those great lessons- in this case for Kinders of which few of us had experience teaching.

But as this really is getting old and I have to go shopping and hit the gym before working three hours today- I shall depart.

For you new teachers PLEASE shoparound before getting into a 50 hour work week where your hard efforts in Education in University net you a 14000 won an hour salary!