Korean Job Discussion Forums

[FierceInvalid]

Here's the deal I'm currently getting: Pretty good cash (neighborhood of 2mil), and I only teach in the afternoon/evening to a grand total of less than 20 classroom hours per week (real hours) including only one 40 min. class on Fridays, so I get pretty much a long weekend every week. Good boss, no issues with the important stuff.

Pretty sweet, right? But I'm probably gonna give it up. As Mike McD (Rounders) might say, "I'm layin that down. It's a monster hand, but I'm gonna lay it down."

Why? I just don't want to teach kids anymore. When I first came to Korea, I expected to probably go back to Canada at the end of the contract, so kids were fine. Almost two years later, I know I'll likely be here for a little while, so I want to actually do the kind of teaching I'm interested in - and this is adults, not kiddies.

So, I'm now bracing myself for more work, less pay, split shifts, and waking up early in the morning. So, is it worth it? Is it possible to find an adult teaching job where these aforementioned concessions aren't so crippling? Not a uni job mind you, I don't have the MA or the connections. Any recommendations of specific places to look?

[The Bobster]

Yeah, you might regret it. You might discover later that you miss the kids ... strange things like that happen sometimes.

[Bulsajo]

I went from adults to kids and never looked back, but the quality of the kids' school had a lot to do with it.

[Confused Canadian]

Though I too prefer to teach adults over children, I've been there, done that, and the split shift will kill ya. (it almost killed me ). If you can find a job teaching adults that doesn't involve the dreaded split shift (i.e. 6:30 morning classes, a noon class, and then teach from 6 to 10 at night ) then go for it. Sometimes you can work for a company and teach the employees throughout the day, but other than that, it's kinda tough.

I would suggest you think long and hard about the split shift thing. It's brutal. Imagine getting home after 10pm. You're probably not going to go to sleep for an hour or two. Now you have to be in the classroom at 6:30 am. Figure in shower, breakfast, transportation to your workplace, and you'll see that you're not getting a whole lot of sleep. Even if you only have one class in the morning and then come back home to sleep for a few more hours, it's probably not going to be "good" sleep. Now, think about spending a year like that, almost never getting more than 5-6 hours solid sleep, except on the weekends. Makes for a long 52 weeks. Seemed like an eternity to me. May I never have to get up at 5 am, ever again...


Confused Canadian

[some waygug-in]

Split shifts are hell, but they can be done. It depends on how far you live from school. If you have to travel buy bus or subway to and from work, then a split shift is going to be very tiring. If you manage to find a place close enough to walk, then it's not so bad. You can usually get home 15 minutes after your last class, you don't have to get up at 5:00 and you can get home mid-day for that all-important afternoon nap.

I prefer to teach adults too, but if I could find a decent kid's school, where there is some support for the teachers, I would stick around for a while.

Adults can be as persnickety as kids, and you will have to be a lot more concerned with your appearance. You have to dress neatly, (all the time) and this is not easy if you have to get up at 5:00. Adult students may seem as friendly as pie in the classroom, but behind your back they will be complaining to the management about everything from your hair color to your teaching style. You may find some students who want to argue with you to satisfy their bulging little egos and they will do so in class, so you have to learn how to deal with that.
Still, as far as the teaching goes, I would rather teach adults any day.
Cheers

[stalinsdad]

Don't be fooled in thinking that adults are easy, their not. I taught at a hogwan and now teach adults, the better students are great, but ask difficult questions, but the beginners are terrible. They think by attending that they can learn english, virtually no effort and often bolshi!
I miss the kids too, but I am glad I work far less, although it is at times far more stressful.

[Zyzyfer]

I hate teaching kids at this point in time as well, but I wouldn't give up the job with those negatives waiting for me at the next one.

[bap]

it sounds like you've got a super sweet job right now. i wouldn't give it up. it's hard enough to find a hagwon where there aren't any troubles with the "important stuff" and when you get a schedule as good as yours.
teaching kids sucks sometimes but teaching adults has its problems too. if you're seriously sick of the kiddies then give it up, but just remember that you're probably not going to get a job as good as the one you have now ever again.
i'd steal your job if i could get out of my contract.

[Blue Flower]

yes. you are.

[weatherman]

If you have such a good position, why for the joy of hell, would you give it up? If you want to teach adults, have your boss make an adult class for you, or try to organize with your boss for one. There are other ways around your wish to teach adults. If for the joy of hell your change jobs, do your research, so somebody doesn't drill you a new a s s hole all for your pleasure.

[kimcheeking]

[Pets wonderland]

I went from teaching kids to adults. I've been teaching adults exclusively for the last 6 months now.

I actually did miss the kids at the start. Kids have a lot of energy, and the adults are either too shy or tired out by work so a lot of input from the teacher is required. A lot depends on the students. If you have an active, interesting group of students, it sure beats teaching a bunch of misbehaving kids. But the quite, unmotivated bunch of students....well, it's a lot worse than teaching kids, believe me. Some of them get really technical about nothing, and when you don't answer back because the questions are so useless, they screw you when the time comes for teacher evaluations.

I'm still getting used to the split shift thing, but I live close to where I work so it's not so bad. One thing is for sure, I feel like I'm doing some 'real' teaching when I teach adults, whereas I felt like I wasn't really getting anywhere with the kids. Maybe my teaching mothods were not appropriate, but I know that I'm much more suited to teaching adults. I don't dread going to work like I used to.

So, if you can, create some opportunities to teach adults on the side and see if you prefer it over teaching kids. I think it would be too hasty to just assume that teaching adults are far easier.

[FierceInvalid]

Maybe I should have mentioned - I actually have taught adults before. I did it for about 6 months in Canada before coming to Korea. At any rate, I'll keep thinking about it, I don't have to decide quite yet...

[Butterfly]

[Marathe]

you quoted rounders

you rule.