Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Derrek]

People both new and old... how have the first few weeks of your Public School jobs been going? A lot of these jobs are still advertised because they couldn't find enough willing teachers to fill them (pay too low and hours too high, with poor vacation).

Is the honeymoon over yet? Any fun tales to pass along from your new job?

[Daechidong Waygookin]

Its been awesome so far. My schedule hant really changed, still have 22 40 minute classes with a friday that consists of 3 classes. Ive missed like 7 classes so far due to different school activities:) Its a breeze so far.

[Derrek]

Found out I have to chaperone to Jeju-Do again this year... ugh.

It would be fun, but staying up all night watching co-workers smoke, drink, and eat raw fish is not fun. Then they turn around and wake up at 7am to climb a mountain.

Ugh...

[Incognito]

So far so good. I am the first native speaker my school has ever had and it really shows. I am somewhat of a celebrity; although, I'm sure it won't last (I hope to God it doesn't last!). Teaching is a breeze as I have the luxury of a translator (KT) at my side. I teach with four wonderful KTs who speak English very well. My school is a vocational school which I am now realizing that vocational translates into lower level. I really don't mind however, since the students are very enthusiastic; something I rarely experienced in the states!

I'm am experiencing many inconveniences at my apartment such as: no TV, no internet access, no phone, etc. The school tells me that I cannot apply for these services without my ARC. I was told by a few other expats that the school should put these services in it's name and just provide me a monthly bill. (Any suggestions?!).

[Derrek]

You might have to wait for the ARC to get some of that. A hagwon can be a different story, but your money not paid directly by the school -- it's gov't. So they aren't going to put it in their name. That's my guess.

[Incognito]

OK.. Thanks Derrek.

[peppermint]

My school has turned around totally. I've got a new vice principal who's given me carte blanche on spending for the English program and a co teacher- FINALLY! life is pretty good.

[JacktheCat]

Just finished up the third week here in my new "private" high school gig, and things are going great. Too good actually, it's freaking me out. As someone on another thread said, this is Korea. Jobs are not supposed to be fun. Bosses are not supposed be welcoming and accommodating. And they haven't tried to rip me off or break the contract once so far. That's just not normal.

As with other people, I am the first waegukin the school has ever hired and am tasked with setting up the whole program. No cirriculum, no books, not even a co-teacher. Will be a PITA the first few weeks, but after I get a regular cirriculum set up, should be smooth sailing.

My schedule is pretty sweet. Start at 9am, three classes in the morning, a two hour lunch break, and then three class in the afternoon, home by 6pm. There are no hagwons in my little in-the-middle of nowhere village so the school has, at parents request, asked me to do 10 extra classes a week. That's almost an extra million won in overtime pay a month. Not bad at all.

[crazylemongirl]

Things that are going well at my school:

My students. I've had a couple of troublesome 2nd years who have turned into these highly responsible third years. My first years are cute as buttons. A few of my second years have turned into snotty teenagers but in general my 1201 students rock!

Teaching schedule. I'm teaching more classes but it means I see my 3rd years on a regular basis so my the classes themselves aren't so stressful.

My prep time is decreasing. I get to teach from the book 1 out of 3 lessons. I still have to come up with my own lessons for the other two but I now have a body of classes from last year so I'm not starting from scratch.

Teachers. The teachers are really nice at my school I really enjoy teaching with them.

My vice principal. She is an halmoni, but she rocks. She lets me go home early when I have korean class and helps me with my korean homework.

Getting my bonus. Who likes money? I do.

My teaching. My class are improving a lot. My teaching is definetly improving.

Things that aren't going well at my school.

My princpal. I have to have weekly meetings with him. Apparently he wants to practice his english. He has yet to speak in english to me So I have to sit there for 20 minutes as he rambles in very fast korean in gyeongsam or jeolla accent.

In addition to teaching my annual 'open class' he also wants me to do another class where him and all the engish teachers will sit and watch.

[R. S. Refugee]

[peppermint]

halmoni is Korean for grandmother, but basically applied to any woman over the age of say, 60 or so.

[pollyplummer]

I teach public high school and they brought me here in a rush. I've been teaching one week, and we've sent my documents to be processed for my visa but they wont be back for two weeks. When I went to the immigration office yesterday, they told me and my co-teacher that it's illegal for me to be working during those two weeks. The school wants me to just go ahead and work and they said that nobody will get me into trouble. The job is okay. The accommodations are fantastic. I dont really want to raise a stink, and I do need the money. Should I just go with the flow? I've heard that public schools can do this kind of thing, that the ministry of education has more power than immigration ?? I have no idea. Does anyone else have this kind of situation? I posted about it in more detail in another thread.

[zappadelta]

[Derrek]

[ladyandthetramp]

The public school jobs I've worked so far haven't been too bad. However, once the school system gets it's shiz together, I think the program will be much better. In other words, once they set up their own office to recruit teachers (as opposed to relying on agents...the conditions of which has always had an air of illegality to me), I assume the jobs will be much more attractive. No agent=>more pay for teachers=>better teachers will apply.