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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Katchafire
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Location: Non curo. Si metrum non habet, non est poema
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 Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 6:03 pm Post subject: Spread the love ... |
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Its about that time for me to start thinking about what I might do next year. I love the Hagwon I am currently working in - and tempting though it is to stay another year, I like the idea of moving around from year to year - to see and experience as much as I can of the country before I move to the next one.
I'm hoping some of you could perhaps post the names of areas you have really enjoyed working in, whether it be for the social life there, location, culture etc. I'm leaning more towards a smaller city - or large town. Something different from masses of high rise buildings.
Thankyou in advance for sharing your thoughts.
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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| One little detail that I learned in my first year teaching in the Korean public school system is to watch out for the LEVEL of high school. I'm teaching in a tiny town, partly due to the attraction of having only 20 students per class. That sounded much better than 35-40. What I didn't know enough facts to ask was: What is the LEVEL of the high school? Is it the best school in the county or is it the one with the kids who are the rejects from the one good area school? |
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Marlboro
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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Incheon is a good place to teach, mainly because you get to meet me 
also i loved teaching in Taiwan, a small city by the name of Miaoli,lovely mountains,a little quiet if you enjoy clubbing etc,but if you love walking,hiking,coffee shops and earl grey,then consider moving out there. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 11:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Ya-ta Boy wrote: |
| One little detail that I learned in my first year teaching in the Korean public school system is to watch out for the LEVEL of high school. I'm teaching in a tiny town, partly due to the attraction of having only 20 students per class. That sounded much better than 35-40. What I didn't know enough facts to ask was: What is the LEVEL of the high school? Is it the best school in the county or is it the one with the kids who are the rejects from the one good area school? |
This is so true. I teach a huge range at my school - geniuses to retards, no exaggeration. At least the great students easily make up for the lazy / hopeless ones. If I ever feel I have to move to a new public school it will be one that's purely an ACADEMIC high school.
As for the OP, if you have a good school, stay there. As far as hogwans go, if you're at one that's in the top 10%, don't move. The odds aren't in your favour. Most are utter crap, and it's not worth a new experience just to experience getting screwed over or going some place where you're just the English monkey / clown. |
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braunshade
Joined: 19 Apr 2006
Location: Somewhere better!
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| Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 11:45 pm Post subject: |
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Why would the level matter?
I would probably prefer a low level school............less work! high level=more prep! |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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| braunshade wrote: |
Why would the level matter?
I would probably prefer a low level school............less work! high level=more prep! |
By the time you get to older kids, low level = not very smart / not at all motivated (at least 90% of them). High level = suprisingly smart / in many cases very motivated, and a real joy to teach.
Given that at public school one's there all day at any rate, I'd much rather do 10-15 hours a week prep. for good students than 1-2 hours for hopeless ones. |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 12:51 am Post subject: Re: Spread the love ... |
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| Gordana wrote: |
| I love the Hagwon I am currently working in - and tempting though it is to stay another year, I like the idea of moving around from year to year - to see and experience as much as I can of the country before I move to the next one. |
Exactly my sentiments. I thought the same thing at the end of each year until I found myself three years at the same hagwon on Geoje Island, and thought, once again, time for a change, "to see and experience as much as I can of the country before I move to the next one".
I took a new job that's in a smaller town, yet close to major transportation routes, and which gives three-day long weekends every week, working only Mon-thru-Thurs., or less if a holiday falls on those days.
I am less happy with the job itself, but it pays more and yet still on time, and I have more time to myself to travel.
In the last three months I've been on special trips to Ulleungdo (Dokpo closed), Jeju, Chuncheon mime festival, Jeonju film festival, Yeosu turtle ship festival, Pohang fire works festival, Gwangyang K-league soccer game, Sokcho area beaches and a few trips to Seoul for events.
I'm glad to be where I am this year, between Jiri and Namhae for ideal hiking and swimming jaunts on odd weekends and holidays. But I'd also recommend someone consider asking for six-month positions (can negotiate 1.0 mill bonuses with some employers, I know, I've been tempted by the opportunities).
I recommend in the southeast: Geoje, Tongyeong, Jinju, Changwon or one of many Gyeongsangnamdo provincial towns (but NOT Masan city, ugh). Jeju. Not Jeollanamdo province (except Suncheon or Yeosu) because it's an area better to visit than live in, much older run-down less developed, close only to Gwangju, though nice weekend areas, not so bad I guess. I've liked EVERY part of Gangwondo in the northeast.
Good luck whatever. |
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