Korean Job Discussion Forums

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I doubt I could work at a job where there are fewer than 12 or even 10 hours between finishing one day and going back to class the next. That's basically a 12+ hour workday with maybe some sleep in the middle. Even with 4-5 hours teaching per day the schedule can become wearisome fast. Some can do it though.

dodgybarnet · Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 9:53 pm Post subject:

Personally I think Split shifts are the way to go. I work 7am-10am, then 6.30pm-9.30pm (6 hours)

I usualy get 5 hours of sleep at night, then a very well earned 2 hour siesta during the day. The entire country of Spain do this too bear in mind.

It takes a little getting used to, and coffee will be your friend, but I find having my free time during the day is so much more usefull.

One thing that is either good or bad depending on your opinion:
-> You cant drink during the week!

Try staying out drinking till 2am, then teaching a class at 7am to adults who can spot a hangover. Not easy.

Personally I like this, as it have saved both my liver and my bank balance. My kiddy-teaching friends all go out on the lash during the week, then sleep till midday thus having no free time (Drink-Sleep-Teach-Drink-Sleep-Teach-Drink-Sleep-Teach-etc) and go mad.

One more thing - you rarely have to clean up puke or wipe asses when you teach adults. Unless you pay them...

Alias · Joined: 24 Jan 2003

Yes. Working split shifts is difficult and is certainly not for everyone. But I'll take there harsh hours anyday over working in a kiddie hellwon. Its nice not being spit on or having fingers stuck up my rear on a daily basis.

Plus, with adults you actually get to do some real teaching!

guangho · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 6:12 am Post subject:

Miryum · Joined: 09 May 2004

My split shift was (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) 1hr classes:
7am-8am, 10:00am-11:00am, 12:30am-1:30am and then 6pm-9pm
These classes were in the Seoul branch.

Tuesday and Thursday, 1hr30 min classes:
9:30-11:00am and 6:30-9:30pm
I taught these classes in the Juan branch.

It probably sounds fine (even nice!) when written down - & in the beginning it was ok. After a while I got totally burned out. Although I only taught 4.5 hrs on Tue and Thurs, the train to Juan took approx. 35mins x4 times.

I think split shifts evenly split into two blocks e.g. 8am-11am and 6pm-9pm would be ok, but my morning split was terrible. I had an hour or more to kill between classes (too little time to get back to my apartment and sleep & too much to keep going for coffee).

Despite the split shifts, I really enjoyed teaching adults. The students were enthusiastic & teaching adult conversation classes really gives you a good insight into what life is like in Korea, for Koreans. Unfortunately the split shifts really put a dampner on it.

gmat · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Miryum: A FOUR BLOCK split schedule on M.W,F????

Are you completely insane Wink

That is ridiculous. I hope the pay was high because that schedule is nuts!!

Miryum · Joined: 09 May 2004

Yea, maybe you're right gmat Laughing

!

I only lasted 8 months because I was wrecked from it. On the plus side, I got 2.2mil, a really nice director (who kept giving my little cans of coffee/OJ saying 'it good for health'), no overtime, or prep work time and really sound students.

But...

I'd never do the 4 way split again!!