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cubanlord
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Location: In Japan!
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 Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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I've been here a year (a newbie). As far as teaching qual. goes:
I have:
- a minor in Elementary education
- over 100 logged hours of in class teaching in the states (elem. kids)
- my teaching for a year thus far (in Korea)
- 3-month internship setting up curricula and activities at a kids recreation center.
Not much...but a little bit. My wife has taught in Korea longer than I have. My opinion's are based on what I have experienced thus far, the stories I get from others, my research (although limited) done before I came here, etc.
I was lucky to have a friend recommend the place I am at now. Compared to the horror stories I see on this board and from what people say, I REALLY have it good IMHO.
And no no...I am not opening a hogwon right now...I am weighing the pros & cons against it. I most likely won't considering that in this country. You do not have complete autonomous power over what you do. With just a flick of pen and your happy self is deported. Too much risk to start a business....tempting....but too much risk.
I know. My posts are not the usual "Korean bashing" type. I only express my opinion of what I have experienced thus far (as others do). It will be interesting to re-read my posts in a year.  |
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Zenpickle
Joined: 06 Jan 2004
Location: Anyang -- Bisan
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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| cubanlord wrote: |
Again, nice post Zen. I agree. I have been a member of Dave's for only a short few days, but have been visiting for over a year now. I must say, just reading some of the posts and having met some foreigner English teachers (only a few fall into this bracket)...well...you're right. People tend to forget how EASY they have it here.
Before coming to Korea (for my wife), I was on a fast track to a VERY LUCRATIVE future. I gave it up for her (somethings are more important than money folks  . However, I was under pressure and was stressed out almost everyday (goes with the job). Coming here is like having a vacation everyday. It really isn't that bad.
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I had a similar background. I was working my butt off and had some success. Right when I started pulling in a six-figure salary, the economy tanked, and I couldn't find a job for two years. A lot of people are here (again, IMHO) because they had a hard time finding a job in their own country or they have a hard time with the concept of work. The people who replaced my friend and myself at my old school complained about doing things like report cards, saying, "We're not doing this. This is our vacation."
On top of this, you get the usual negative circle jerk here on Dave's, and I can't even post a job opening without some of the freaky waygooks who used to work here or (even better) their friends trashing the school based on wild rumors or perceived injustices, even though they would have gotten fired a long time ago for their behavior in a REAL job back home.
Last edited by Zenpickle on Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:06 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Len8
Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Location: Kyungju
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:57 am Post subject: |
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I have done some part time work at Korean pre schools (uichiwons), and they have been packed to the brim. The good ones have every concievable visual aid for the kids as well. I get the feeling that a somebody with a lot of money get's it off the ground, and then turns it over to a manager. Managers for those places are a dime a dozen, and they can be replaced. There is no shortage of Korean terachers either. There are also a lot of subcontractors out their who provide certain services like curriculums in either Korean or English.
The montessori method seems to be the in thing with most big uichiwons. |
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Hanson
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 3:09 am Post subject: |
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| often your posts smack of someone who just got off the plane and is still in the rose colored glasses phase |
This board could use a bit more of this. I remember (vaguely) the 'rose colored glasses' phase and wish I felt it more often.
Cubanlord - you have injected this board with some good, positive feedback that is refreshing IMHO. |
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cubanlord
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Location: In Japan!
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| Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 4:37 am Post subject: |
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thanks Hanson. I thought I was alone with zen...
***offers Zen and Hanson a cookie as a sign of friendship*** 
Really though, all in all, I respect the posters here. I mean think about it....if people didn't share their horror stories, how would anyone know what to look for when first arriving here.  
Anywho...yall are ok in my book. ***hands a cookie out to all*** |
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