Korean Job Discussion Forums

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Right now I teach 32 classes a week at my high school, 10 above my contracted 22.

However, I have the opportunity to teach up to another 10 classes a week, which would bring me to 42. While the over-time pay sure would be sweet, I'm not sure if I could handle the physical and mental strain. I'd like to protect what little sanity I have left.

Has anyone else taught something remotely similar to this? How did you fair?

How many classes is too many in a public school?

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

With 32 classes a week...are your REALLY teaching or just going through the motions? And that's what...32 50 minute classes?
I don't think ANY teacher can "teach" over 4/5 50 minute classes a day day in and day out and do a good job. It's not possible.
Being at a university...we have 14-16 hours a week...so...lucky I guess. But I would never ever teach at a hakwon that wanted me to teach over 4/5 50 minute classes a day!
And yet...many do! Don't know why!? Especially when the schools NEED you more than you need them!
Just because that's the way it is in korea does not mean you have to accept that.
Just my gripe.
I have many friends who are burnt out at the end of the day and come the weekend...they are fried after teaching 5/6 50 minute classes a day! Some do 7/8 50 minute classes a day! And get no extra pay! Who is more smarter? The hakwon owner or the teacher?
But..it has been posted on this site many times over the years and it'll never change...
less classses equal quality teaching. Period. One is more relaxed, more positive, less stressed, better lessons, etc. And quality teaching would mean higher enrollment. Word would get around to other students/parents and "X" hakwon would be doing better. I know of three hakwons who charge more each month then the schools across the street from them...they concentrate on quality. A few of the teachers have been with these schools for 4/5/6 years!

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Good points hellofaniceguy.

But I teach at a "private" high school not a hackwon. I've broken my regular students into 4 different levels and the extra classes into 2 different levels. That means I prepare 6 different lessons each week and then teach each lesson 4-6 times. Not that different than what a public school teacher back in the west would do.

Also, any classes above 22 a week are optional and I am paid extra (25k a class) for. For my current 10 extra classes a week, that adds up to a serious chunk of change. If I take these 10 additional extra classes, that would put me over 2 million won a month in over-time pay.

So, it comes down to ... my sanity or a shit load of money.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Go for it, Jack.... if you can deal with it mentally, it's a great way to score some extra LEGAL cash. Few people can make that kind of money LEGALLY teaching in Korea. Sure, you'll have your yay-hoos that brag about this job they have where they make X million won per month, but those jobs are few and far between -- and often embellishments.

In Private/Public jobs, there are so many students of varying levels, it's difficult to be as effective as we'd like. You'd probably be teaching the same lessons you made anyway. Go for it!

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

I guess I should have added...if one feels comfortable with teaching extra classes and is paid for the extra classes...great. Nothing wrong with that. OT it's called. But...that should be the workers/teachers/employees choice.
My gripe is with those who agree to teach 6 50 minute classes a day. It can't be done day in and day out and be done correctly. Not possible.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

you are made of stronger stuff than I, Jack the cat. I'm feeling the burn at 26, though I also have korean class two nights a week which takes another 12 hours of my week.

Badmojo · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:11 pm Post subject:

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

Personally, I think teaching 32 classes is already too many per week....though if you really NEED the money, and have the time and energy....why not do it? Smile

thorin · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

I'm teaching 2 or 3 classes a week lately. It's a lot of pressure. If I screw up one class, I've pretty much blown a whole week. 32 classes a week, now that's easy. You could sleepwalk through a few without anyone noticing. Some people don't know how easy they've got it.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Those of you teaching 32+ classes a week....I'm impressed! Quality has not gone down, you're still full of energy come Friday night and you can take on the world!
I just think it is unreasonable for a teacher to teach over.....20 classes a week. But..hakwons don't care about FT's. Only how many classes they can make you teach to line their pockets.
I guarantee...if I had a hakwon....I'd have the BEST, the BEST high quality teachers available. I would pay them a very very fair salary and would never have them teach over 5 50 minute classes a day. If the teacher is not quality material, they are gone. I'd expect GREAT teaching for the salary I'd be paying, housing I'd provide, etc.
I believe that quality teaching equals less classes per day equals a less stressed teacher who will be doing a better job.
If you're paid a salary of 3.0 a month plus housing, airfare, and I mean decent housing, not this BS housing most hakwons provide and are doing a great job, students are happy and learning...I'd have a higher enrollment! I could afford to offer 3.0 a month for 5 classes a day.

christinajou · Joined: 03 Feb 2005

personally, i think when quantity goes up...the quality goes down. 20 is my max...but I don't have much choice but to teach 22 right now. i am hating it, and it definitely affects my performance in class and my class prep time.

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Badmojo · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 2:00 am Post subject:

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

redd · Joined: 08 Nov 2004

thank you soo much for the timing of this! I did 40hrs/wk last month (and got a measly 3hrs overtime). We've got two holiday days this month and if our days off were counted as being worked (in order to be paid for them), I'd have about 160hrs this month. It'll only be 150hrs, so no overtime - or no paid stat in other words. Today i had 9 classes - was supposed to be 10, but the last one was a no-show. 12 to 7:25pm straight teaching. I've been complaining about it and was starting to wonder if it was just me being a lazy-as or if i'm somewhat entitled to gripe. We just lost a teacher to "down-sizing" which is why the hours jumped in the last few months.

I know it's my own damn fault for signing such a bad contract and believe me, I've learned my lesson. The school's apparently never had a teacher renew and all of us are counting the days - Korean as well as foreign.

And yes, my work's suffering. Not so much in the planning, but the execution. My tolerance level is way down and I find myself getting angry over things that really shouldn't bother me. And I'm getting sick. That'll make things fun.