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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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panthermodern
Joined: 08 Feb 2003
Location: Taxronto
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 Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 9:55 am Post subject: An email question I recieved ... |
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This is typical of emails I recieve.
Since my motives are always questioned ...
I say: Answer the questions good posters ... Including the one about how to register ...
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Panthermodern:
Thank you for your generous invitation for advice on Dave's ESL. Indeed, I am a Newbie to the site (I can't even find where to register!), but I've got some pressing questions for which I'd appreciate answers from someone with as much credibility as you.
I'm currently staring down the end of a contract at a public middle school in [edited by PM to protect the innocent]. I want to move to Seoul and continue teaching, hoping to find a comfortable and advantageous setup. What's more, I'm looking to teach for SIX MONTHS more, so I'm not really looking for any full-year contract.
First of all, I know very little about what teaching in hogwons is like. You have experience in that department, correct? Is the teaching in any way fulfilling? stressful? difficult? Is it a co-teaching setup? Do you need to plan your own lessons? Is behavior really wild? I do classes of 42 middle school boys with no co-teacher and nobody to help me plan lessons. Even if hagwons are lacking a little in the area of educational effectiveness, I'm not above teaching in one, if the pay is right.
Second of all, is it possible to enter into a contract at a hogwon for a period of only six months?
Also, will any hogwon gig basically guarantee the needed visa?
I guess this is just a start. I feel I have many more questions, and I'm sure the answer to them is available somewhere online or in Seoul. I sure would appreciate a response from you, however. So if you have time, please reply with what you think would give me a good start in the direction of researching Seoul teaching jobs.
Thanks so much! |
I get these all the time, what should I say ... |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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First of all, I know very little about what teaching in hogwons is like. You have experience in that department, correct? Is the teaching in any way fulfilling? stressful? difficult? Is it a co-teaching setup? Do you need to plan your own lessons? Is behavior really wild? I do classes of 42 middle school boys with no co-teacher and nobody to help me plan lessons. Even if hagwons are lacking a little in the area of educational effectiveness, I'm not above teaching in one, if the pay is right.
Second of all, is it possible to enter into a contract at a hogwon for a period of only six months?
Also, will any hogwon gig basically guarantee the needed visa?
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Let me give it a try:
1) Some comparisons between public school and hakwon teaching:
a) the hours-- Hakwons for middle school kids start later in the day.
b) The kids are tired from school and are usually there because their parents want them to be there. A good thing is that the numbers are smaller.
c) Teenage biological imperatives still apply.
d) You will have the opportunity to get to know your students because of the smaller numbers and the frequency of meeting them.
e) Teaching any students at any age and level can be stressful.
f) There are rarely any co-teachers. You are on your own. You are on your own in lesson planning and discipline. But remember, the class size is smaller. Most hakwons have some kind of program already set up. (They've selected a book.) Probably most allow the teacher to do what they want with the book.
2) Six month contracts are not impossible, but are uncommon. For one thing, you will need a new visa. Hakwons don't want to pay for the visa run for only 6 months--it doubles their expenses.
3) Yes, any hakwon job will provide the necessary visa sponsorship, if you can persuade them to go for a 6 month contract.
If working with unmotivated students is wearing you out, you might consider working in an adult hakwon. The students there are motivated to learn. Class control is much less of an issue. |
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ajuma
Joined: 18 Feb 2003
Location: Anywere but Seoul!!
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| Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 6:19 am Post subject: |
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| First of all, I know very little about what teaching in hogwons is like. You have experience in that department, correct? Is the teaching in any way fulfilling? stressful? difficult? |
Fulfilling? Now and then!
Stressful? At least once a day...if not more often!
Difficult?  Depends on your tolerance for chaos! |
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