Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

What do you think? I am referring to working as an English teacher, but in any environment, including universities, hagwons, public schools, etc.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

It makes such a huge difference where you work that surveying everyone is pointless.

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

Been a suit and tie guy, much prefer the more casual approach to dress, shorts and collared tee's. Smile

Homer · Guest

Depends where you work Ilsanman....

For example, teaching kindergarten it would be pointless to wear a suit.....

It might be a good idea if you teach for a company (LG, Samsung)....and if your students are executives or management.

Its a situational thing....not an overal thing.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I totally disagree. Part of the job is being in front of mothers, dealing with the boss, etc.

A suit at kindergarten might seem out of place, but it gives you an excuse not to roll around on the floor, etc. Also, it sets an example that foreign teachers are not simply clowns and young backpackers.

I have found that a suit will get you more respect with your boss, and he's less likely to *beep* over his professional teacher than his suit wearing, professional teacher.

peppermint · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 8:10 pm Post subject:

I think it's a good thing to dress professionally, thought that might not require a suit and tie everyday. Khakis and an ironed shirt is probably professional enough for day to day at a kids hagwon.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

It depends. Last year I would wear a suit at my elementary school only when we had our open classes. The only rule for teachers was no jeans. I generally wore nice pants and a nice shirt or sweater. Sometimes I would wear a tie but not often.

At my middle school I showed up on the first day in a suit. One of the grade 1 students walked into class, looked up to me and exclaimed, "whoa James Bond teacher!!!" I can wear jeans if I want but it seems easier for the female korean teachers to pull off a professional look in jeans. I just wear nice pants and nice shirt.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

If your students are in blazers and ties and you're in jeans and a T-shirt, what does it say about the level of respect you'll cammand?

HapKi · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL

I'd say- look at the Korean employees at your workplace. Form a general average of what they wear. Dress toward the upper half of that average.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

HapKi · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL

Homer · Guest

Well..I-man...you wear a suit while teaching kindi if ya like. To each his own.

When I taught kindie..I wore kakhis and a dress shirt. When we had parent-teacher days...I wore a suit..ya see it was situational.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

Actually, I don't. I only have one suit, but starting in the fall, I will buy some more suits then, and wear one every work day. But then again, I generally don't teach kindergarten.

If I don't wear a suit, I will wear a shirt and a tie.

Homer · Guest

A suit and tie is not a bad idea if you teach older kids or adults.

coolsage · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:21 am Post subject:

I wore suit and tie at a Teacher's College; fair enough. it was a conservative kind of place, and the students themselves tended to dress up. Now I work at a National University, and the dress code is more casual; I still have the leftover suits, but there's no need for the tie. A decent jacket and slacks will get the satorial job done, but jeans, never. It's not a jeans job. Jeans are what you change into when you get home.