Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jamesandjessica]

Has anyone had experience bringing a child to Korea when they taught? My husband and I both want to teach and would welcome any input on how that would play out with us bringing our son (he will be 4). Is it possible for the child to go to class with you? One of our largest concerns is health care for him.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Jessica

[Hyeon Een]

A friend of mine came to Korea twice with a child. First time he was about 4, second time he was 6/7. (Korean age)

She worked at a hagwan, and the hagwan basically helped out with daycare (two different ones). The child went to a kind of kindergarten on premises whilst the mother worked. I didn't know the boy the first time he was in Korea.

The second time he was in Korea - when I knew him - he picked up (remembered?) Korean quick-sharp. He was quite a dominant kid so he was kind of running the other korean kids around. He picked up the language very quickly, and not all that long after arriving (a month or two) he was a kind of translator for his mother. He did very well in Korea. I don't know how it goes for other kids.. I imagine some kids might get bullied and do craply in Korea. All I know is this one kid did very well. If it matters any, he happened to be black. I am convinced it was his (STRONG) personality that led him to do well here though.

I think if you're bringing a kid, and he's going to be hanging with Korean kids when he starts out, not knowing the language, it will help a hell of a lot if he is a tough kid. If he is like I was when I was a kid, he probably won't be happy. I think if I'd gone to a Korean kindergarten I woulda got beaten up and cried =)

[pet lover]

[bellum99]

Why do you all seem so intent on saying everything is great all the time? The truth is that he will be lonely and not know the language. Children his age usually don't know English and he won't "pick up Korean quick smart". He could go to an English kindergarten but they really don't speak English much of the time and your hours at work will make it hard for him...what does he do when you are at work (we often work late in the academy)?
The boss will help some in the begining but after a while he and the other koreans stop helping. If you come, try to get different hours so one of you can be with him. I would do it now before he has to go to school, so you can go home for him to go to school. There is no place here for him to go to school (some idiot will say international school or korean school, but they are wrong. International school is very expensive and your son will never understand Korean enough to go to korean school).
The standards of teaching in the academy will not be enough to prepare your son to go home and attend school. You will have to teach him at home so bring the books.

[seoulsista]

I have to agree with Bellum here. I don't have a child nor do I know anyone who does. But I do know Korean culture quite well.

Your options would be to work at public schools and send your child to international school which will be quite expensive. Or you could try to find a nanny to be with your child all day while you and your partner are at work.

Otherwise you could work different shifts so that someone is always with your child, as mentioned above. However, that won't happen if you both work at Hagwons. That's also a quality of life issue.

[pet lover]

[anyway]

I have a young son who is only about two years old and my wife doesn't work so it all works out fine.

If your child is 4 years old, I think that you might feel comfortable about hiring a babysitter. Most available ajummas probably won't speak much English, but I'll bet your hagwon can find a young college gal who does have enough English (and free time in the evenings) to do it.

They'll work cheap too. College students work part-time jobs which pay only 2-3 thousand per hour. They'd probably be thrilled to get to practice their English as well...

[sadsac]

Had a friend here with her son, he went to a Korean school and was accepted by his fellow students. They were here for 2 years and have only recently left. There are many options including distance education. It will be a great experience for your child. Be very specific when applying about your need to provide education and care for your kid.

[Porter_Goss]

[jamesandjessica]

Thank you for all your replies. We appreciate the information. It is nice to know that there are some other couples who are doing this. Another question for those of you who have experienced this, what are the options for medical coverage for the child?
Thanks,
Jessica