Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Newbie]

So they have less hours, more vacation time. Sounds good.

But what is the actual teaching like? When they advertise for an "English leturer", are they talking about what one would expect in a Western uni? Just standing there and yapping for an hour? I don't know if I could put up with that. Also, is there a lot more prep time needed? Is the work more difficult?

I know everyone will have different stories, but I just want to get a feeling for it.

THanks

[Homer]

It depends!

In my case it is a mixed bag.

I had freshman English which was not too much fun. It is a mandatory class for first year students. My class had 70 students most of which were not all that motivated. This leads to lectures because it is near impossible to have any sort of real interaction with a class of 70 (possible but tough!).

My other classes are all electives for the students so in those I get motived students in smaller groups. These classes are amazing.

The job involves fewer teaching hours than a Hakwon but more grading (much more!) and more preparation. There is also substantially more administrative work to be done. This makes for a full week, but not as full as a typical 30 hour per week hakwon.

Vacation time varies...some of my friends get 4 weeks and have to teach during vacation time (intensives) while others (like me) get 12 weeks off and choose to teach during one of the breaks (I sometimes do).

Many universities hire teachers to work in their hakwons. Where I teach some teach classes there in the evening. The conditions are good as you get university students (my uni does not have kids hakwons). I teach a specific class in the uni hakwon once per week to advanced students and its a lot of fun.

Pay will vary by university as will benefits. Some don't offer accomodations or offer accomodation in the campus dormitory. Some ask teachers to edit and proff read.

I do so on when a colleague asks (it happens every now and then).

Hope this sheds some light on your questions!

[the_beaver]

[Homer]

Hey Beaver...nice to know.

My freshman classes also go quite well...its just more of a challenge to get them going....

Other classes are amazing to teach however.

[kimchikowboy]

[ajuma]

I love teaching my freshmen...but if I were in Homer's place, I could see having a very different attitude! I teach a couple of higher-level classes and those are great! Now and then I get assigned a writing class...which I love, but it sure is a LOT of work (maybe 3-4 hours correcting homework...and NO, it's not "overtime", it's part of the job)! And grading exams (I give orals to almost every class) is a LOT of work....but I wouldn't trade my job for anything!

[kermo]

I teach at a college, i.e., business, car audio, make-up, TV broadcasting... brains not exactly leaking out of their ears.

The "English Department" has kids who want to be flight attendants, and others who want it for business purposes. Then there are the kids majoring in other things, but English is mandatory. They seem to have spent a good portion of their public school career with their fingers in their ears going "la la la la la."

Because they can't absorb even the most basic instructions (i.e., open your books, please repeat, etc.,) a teacher-centred approach is hopeless (my opinion based on one semester.) I've started organizing them into groups to keep them on task, and pitting them against each other-- some motivation has appeared. Maybe learning will follow, you never know.

You can be as creative as you like in these classes, and nobody much minds if you finish early. It's divine.

I am contracted to teach 16 hours per week, but I opted for overtime (up to 25 or so.) I work 4 days a week, with 4 months a year holidays. I mark exams four times a year, and haven't seen too much admin work at all. Great gig, as far as I'm concerned.

[Canucksaram]

All I can say is, "Rakoth, Maugrim!"

If Davor were here, he'd "axe" you a question or two.

[Hollywoodaction]

I will be on vacation in about 3 weeks until the end of August. What more do you need to know?

[Newbie]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

Canuck-- aren't those just other words for count and non-count nouns? I'm assuming you're attacking some error in my post, and even at this point I couldn't be bothered to proof read it to see for sure. It's a goddang internet site! I didn't know I was being judged on grammar and style.

[kermo]

[ajuma]

[flotsam]

As I am considering coming back to Korea after I do my M.Ed over the next couple of years(I start in September) I'd like to pop in a question without resurrecting the "3 year rule" debate:

How long have you uni/collge teachers been at your schools and what intimations/declarations have you received on the school's views of your tenure. Not TENURE-tenure, (But please bring that up if you like.), but longevity: How long can you stay? Do they offer incentive for you to stay? Do you want to stay? And if you do, for how long?

Very curious, am I.

[ajuma]

We get an extra 100,000 per month with each signed contract. My uni believes in "better the devil you know".... Top 5 teachers and length of stay in years: 10, 8, 7, 7, 6.

[Hollywoodaction]