Korean Job Discussion Forums

Howard Roark · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Canada

It's the hagwan that tells me to to dress nice, and it's not like I have to wear a suit or anything. Dress pants, skirts, even sandals as long as they're sort of dressy. Acting professional just means the same thing it should mean in any job - be on time, be well prepared, well organized, no swearing or talking about things of an explicit or very personal nature, etc. I consider myself to be laid back. I don't feel I have to be a different person when I walk into the company or anything like that. I've never felt I had to live up to anyone's great expectations there. It is a very relaxed environment. We laugh a lot and joke around. The office people are about my age so we're just like buddies. We often have lunch or dinner together. It's a lot of fun.

sparkx · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: thekimchipot.com

I agree. I have found teaching kids to be way more demanding and difficult. Often I will finding myself just chewin' the fat with my adults and next thing I know -- class over. For the past two months its been casual day everyday but during the off-summer months a tie is required -- no real biggie even though I don't dig the noose.

Captain Zoom · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Location: Tokyo

Just wondering: what is "LG"? Also, could anyone recommend decent schools or chains for teaching adults?

I teach adult ESL here, so that's definitely my preference, but I suspect that I couldn't handle split shifts.

Cheers,

Zoom.

FierceInvalid · Joined: 16 Mar 2003

LG is a massive-ass Korean corporation. Are you in Korea now? Just walk down the street - they have convenience stores, cell phones, appliances, etc....

I looked a while back for a good place to teach adults but it just plain doesn't seem to exist here. The only adult hagwons I've ever found are the big ones - YBM, Pagoda/Direct English, BCM - and all those are split-shifters. Good luck though, if you happen upon anything let me know.

Surmonk · Joined: 17 Nov 2008 Location: Goheung

Hi folks,
I realize it's been 5 years since the last post, but I'm a newbie, have yet to set foot on Korean soil, and also have a preference for teaching adults. (Being in my early 50s could be significant reason for wanting to go that route.) I'm impressed with the diversity of opinion on this topic, with rich insights on both sides of teaching adults vs. kids. I'm also overwhelmed by all the information on getting my first job teaching ESL.

Since it has been such a long time since the last post, I'm wondering if any of the above mentioned dynamics have changed, i.e. availability of adult classes, are split shifts still the norm, etc.

Thanks!