Korean Job Discussion Forums

donalruane · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Location: IRELAND

hello all

planning on heading to korea to do the efl thing. never taught before, but thought kids might be more progressive, responsive, eager to learn etc.

am i wrong?

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul

I'd say that assumption is wrong generally, yes, BUT some do really want to learn and even the bad, crazy students are great. Depends how much time you have for the young. I've plenty of time for them, so naturally I enjoy it.

Middle school would be a good start IMO. You get the best of both worlds, sort of. The grade 1s are decidedly kids whilst the grade 3s aren't really kids but aren't adults either.

donalruane · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Location: IRELAND

hey spinoza

thanks for the reply. i love kids, but particularly eager motivated ones who are reasonably polite. who doesn't i suppose. are middle school jobs readily available? i have a degree from uni but no tefl cert or previous experience.

cheers

peppermint · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:12 pm Post subject:

There are other factors to consider. Kids schools and adult schools keep different schedules as a rule. Also, adult schools generally encourage socializing with the students.

I taught adults when I arrived, and they taught me a lot about Korean, culture, customs etc. Because it was a smallish town, they were happy to show me around too. The schedule was pretty rough though.

donalruane · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Location: IRELAND

hi peppermint

thanks for info. i really need to make some cash so was kinda thinking that if i did the kids schools during the day i could do some privates at night. too ambitious?

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Depends on your schedule........some places have you teaching until 10 pm......so I doubt you'd feel like doing privates afterwards. (not to mention that it's illegal)

I turn down any offers I receive for private students. Not that I wouldn't mind the extra cash, but I have enough headaches in my life already.

It's up to you though.

donalruane · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Location: IRELAND

is the "illegal" privates thing strictly enforced? i believe in korea the employer owns your work visa so i take it they can send you packing if they find you in breach of any contract stipulations?

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

Most hogwan jobs leave you the morning and early afternoon free and you work your hours in the evening. Adults, the shifts can be a little disjointed. I personally find the kids more appealing, adults are just too hard to please. Smile

Porter_Goss · Joined: 26 Mar 2006 Location: The Wrong Side of Right

donalruane · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Location: IRELAND

hey porter

cheers for the tip - i will tread carefully. this is all new to me.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Children are not there to learn. They only want two things out of life a) 10 more minutes of sleep b) a chance to play computer games. 98% of them are not eager to learn english. They're simply there because their mother forces them to go. The only respite they get from this hellish life is being in a class for 50 minutes a day with a foreigner they know can't phone their mother. That's their play time. Best of luck.

Adults, apparently, are better in that they're more eager to learn. However the down side is they want to learn at 6 am, at lunch, and at night. The schools don't want to hire teachers for two shifts. So the schools kind of like one teacher who will be there from 6 am until 10 pm. Sure you're only working 4 or 5 hours but your ability to put work aside and live is minimal.

Also since adults are paying large wads of cash, they're more likely to complain to your face if they don't feel they're getting value for money. And then there are the students who are there because work requires them to take these courses. So they're kinda pissed and if they're not getting the material, you're the problem. And then there are the types that decide it's their job to guide the class. You know all your careful prep time is blown away when one ajumma decides everyone should sit in a circle and talk about stem cell research instead of doing the material... and why aren't you talking more about Jesus?

donalruane · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Location: IRELAND

thanks for that - i can't wait to go now!!!

are you a somewhat disillusioned korea veteran or is this just your experience from the front line?

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul

donalruane · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Location: IRELAND

hello all

thanks for all replies - info duly noted and appreciated.

still don't know what the best option is for me yet. from reading some other posts, i do know that i will be reading my contract over and over and over again before signing it!

off to bed now.

cheers

donal

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003