Korean Job Discussion Forums

bourquetheman · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: Suwon

I was just the opposite of you BBE as I went from 3 years teaching at university to wondering what it would be like to work at a high school. I must say that I enjoyed both jobs and find it hard to compare them. Sure the vacation time at the university was nice and the 3 day weekend every every week. There was an unwritten rule that if you worked one vacation (for extra pay of course) then you got the other one off. I left at just the right time as they had pretty much nullified that rule and were even doing a children's camp as well! Also the course moved from being a conversation class (which I enjoyed) to more of a writing/presentation class. The textbook that the "new" director (who was a real d!ck) was a 'science' book which had you getting the students to get there bunsen burners and beakers out to do experiments in English!
I and the rest of the staff made it known that there would be NO way that we would teach this book. The director countered with "Well we are the natural science campus" to which I said "Yes but WE are not SCIENCE teachers!". He saw my point and we reverted back but let's just say I'm glad I got out when I did.
As for high school I thought it was very refreshing and enjoyed it immensely. I had 4 weeks official vacation but like you said there is much more that is off the books as well. The staff was great and the school had a government grant and had a brand new office and classroom complete with a full electronic setup that was fantastic! I got paid extra for teaching after school if I wanted and my 22 pyong apartment was right behind the school. At university I had to pay 600 000 won a month for a 2 bedroom place in the family housing section and the area around the university, while nice really blew as far as entertainment went.
What's funny is that people I talked with and who asked me where I'd worked before thought I was crazy for leaving a uni job but to be honest I had no regrets at all. I did 2 years at the highschool and now am at a company job and I probably can say that I enjoy this the most so far. Anyway it's nice to see someone else appreciates high school jobs. I had a good time at both uni and high school and I won't take anything away from either.

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:24 am Post subject:

Kenny:

The uni job is more attractive because I have this belief that it will be useful in my future. It looks better on a resume. If I want to apply for a really good job elsewhere someday, be it here or another country, having two years at a high school and at least a year or more at a uni job sounds better than 4 years at a high school. That's my opinion, anyway.

Based on that, I'd stick with the current uni job, but I would have opted for my own apartment.

The jury is still out though. I had two years to find things I didn't like about that high school job, and there weren't many things I disliked! I would not have bothered to apply for another job had I been promised everything early. They tried to screw with the contract after being warned I would walk, and I stayed true to my word.

I'm still really new into this uni job, so anything could happen. Three months from now, I might feel this was the greatest thing ever. Or I could say it has been awful. I'm guessing I'll be somewhere in between.

If the resume didn't matter, and I didn't have to worry about Kyonngi screwing things up... honestly... I'd rather be at the high school. It was just a whole lot more fun.

That, however, is not the current reality. I am where I am, and I am making the best of it. I do enjoy working here so far, when I ignore a few typical Korean administrational issues.

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Lemonade · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: South Korea

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

BBE I know what you mean about being a "superstar" at high school. I think when you teach anywhere from elementary to high school age students that effect will happen in Korea. At least it has to me anyways. When I taught elementary age children I really felt overwhelmed by how much they love their foreign teacher. Being in a high school setting the past few years, they are a little more reserved than children, but I still get kids running down the hall to say hi, or coming to see me in the office just cause I am there.

From everyone I've talked to who works in a university setting, these things don't happen often.

Also you might add another plus to high school vs. university: In a university you have your own office, which really isn't a positive thing unless you are an introvert, as your social life with other teachers sucks. In a high school where you all share the same office, you get to know your co-workers and build solid relationships. One reason I've said at the same job for so long is I really enjoy my relationship with my co-workers. They are excellent people.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

As far as I am concerned, satisfaction in the job is the name of the game. This has two key components: a) personal preference for teaching a certain age group and b) the quality of the management at a work place.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:05 pm Post subject:

adventureman · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

just another pissing contest..

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:28 pm Post subject:

Not a pissing contest. There is really only one person on here trying to make waves and be a troll, for the most part.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

It seems to be that the cardinal sin of teaching English and robbing banks is getting comfortable. Its like that movie "Heat". Any time you feel that heat coming from around the corner, i.e. your negotiating position deteriorates, you have to be able to walk.

It seems like EFL teachers in Korea are feeling a lot of heat. But maybe that's just me.