Korean Job Discussion Forums

whatthefunk · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Dont have a clue

Im at the 2 1/2 year mark...losing sanity rapidly...

Scott in HK · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:30 pm Post subject:

I am in the middle of my tenth year of teaching...with many more ahead of me...

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

I'm heading into my fifth year teaching English, and third in Korea. And no plans to change my "profession."

It's a great gig; psychotic, unethical Korean bosses aside. Low hours, good money, and chance to live and work wherever I want.

But someone please shoot me if I'm still here in Korea in two years.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I don't think I'm made to be a teacher but that's not to say I don't really really enjoy it -- I feel that it's more of my hobby than my profession.

I was going a little batty in the first couple of years but I discovered that teaching is a mix of art, game, and science and I'm constantly tweaking here and there and developing better ways to do things. This constant development and contemplation of how I teach is what keeps it interesting.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 1:06 am Post subject:

Almost 3 years, and getting bored of it in Korea. Want something a wee bit more stable if I'm going to keep on staying here.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

going on 3 years here on the ROK starting to feel like its time for a change
Like teaching and plan on continuing with it. By the end of this contract I should be debt free and be able to expand my options.

One teacher I met here my first year has been teaching off and on in Korea for 10 years. She does a year in Korea for the money and then a year in places like, Peru, Tibet, Indonesia for the experience.

guangho · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 4:28 am Post subject:

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

4 years in and at least that many to go. Partner commitments will keep me here for awhile yet.

I don't mind though. I've made my peace with Korea. It doesn't bother me and I don't bother it.

As far as teaching goes.... I can do what most hagwon directors require of a teacher with my hands tied behind my back......Am I a good teacher?.....maybe!... Long way to go and I'm learning all the time. Like Beaver says....There's lot's of tweaks and nuances to teaching. It takes many, many years to perfect those.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

I'm a bit suprised that so many of us are in the 5-10 year range. Would be nice to break that down and see where people fall. I've been doing it for 9 and love almost every minute of it!

the_beaver

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I'm in my 11th year of teaching English. Not sure I like the poll forcing me into the 5-10 year group. I consider people who have been teaching only 5-6 years to be mere dilettante dabblers.

Wink

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

About four years (some time off for good behaviour).

tommynomad · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Location: on the move

2nd year in Korea.
6th year teaching ESL.
20th year in education, with time off doing something else every 3-4 years.

the_beaver, you hit it when you siad it's like a hobby. A friend of mine (also a teacher) just wrote me and said: "I love getting paid for my hobby." Of course, he's also a locally famous artist. But it got me wondering: anyone know how I can get paid for self-abuse and playing ulti (will do them at the same time for the right price)?