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Why work at a public school with a co-teacher? (INSANE)
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oldtrafford



Joined: 12 Jan 2011

PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

and i don't NO the difference between no/know. Bed time!!!! Wink Wink Wink Wink Wink Wink Wink Wink Wink Wink Wink Wink
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ZIFA



Joined: 23 Feb 2011
Location: Dici che il fiume..Trova la via al mare

PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ESL Milk "Everyday wrote:
A great public school is usually still light years ahead of a good hagwon. A bad public school is still light years ahead of a bad hagwon.


Dunno.I found my teaching ability atrophied somewhat at PS. Its also lonelier. The deskwarming is a waste of time.

At hogwons you are responsible for your own classes 100%. You get to know the students better. You're busy. And you have the support of other foreigners.
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loubird



Joined: 27 May 2010

PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 3:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yup, it's not illegal to teach without a co-teacher, I've been doing it from day one and I love it. I've never had any other adult in my classroom and I can teach what I like. I should point out that my biggest class is 25 students, so it's not like I've got all 40 in a room at one time. The other English teachers and I split the classes in half and teach each half indepently. I think it might be illegal through GEPIK to teach a class of 40 or so on your own 100% of the time, but teaching a split class poses no leagal problems. This is just the way my school has always done it.
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cj1976



Joined: 26 Oct 2005

PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 3:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm seriously thinking about quitting the public school gigs, but the vacation time is sweet. That's hard to give up. If hagwons could be a little more generous (14 days instead of 10, perhaps), I'd be willing to give it a go.
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Chalmers



Joined: 20 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 5:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm one of the lucky ones. I work at a high school with cool and relaxed co-teachers. Been here 2 years, and will probably stay a third year. My vacation ends up being about 8 weeks a year with another 10 weeks of part time work.

Why work at a public school? If you're not here strictly for money, and you want more than 10 days a year of paid vacation, then the public school crap shoot is your best bet.
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shostahoosier



Joined: 14 Apr 2009

PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 5:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cj1976 wrote:
I'm seriously thinking about quitting the public school gigs, but the vacation time is sweet. That's hard to give up. If hagwons could be a little more generous (14 days instead of 10, perhaps), I'd be willing to give it a go.


Yeah I would consider a hagwon too as the pay and smaller classes are nice. Ive gotten some decent hagwon offers through friends but none of them give me 25 days vacation lol.
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sbp59



Joined: 01 Apr 2009
Location: Somewhere in SK

PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ZIFA wrote:
ESL Milk "Everyday wrote:
A great public school is usually still light years ahead of a good hagwon. A bad public school is still light years ahead of a bad hagwon.


Dunno.I found my teaching ability atrophied somewhat at PS. Its also lonelier. The deskwarming is a waste of time.

At hogwons you are responsible for your own classes 100%. You get to know the students better. You're busy. And you have the support of other foreigners.


Plus 1. Teaching in a public school, you can't get to know any of your students. What's the point of being a teacher, if your not trying to get to know your students and help them improve?

Desk warming is a complete waste of time and I can't stand it. If you can find a decent hagwon your work hours can be quite short and you can leave immediately after your last class.

And don't get me started on the public school lunches. lol
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ThingsComeAround



Joined: 07 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sbp59 wrote:
ZIFA wrote:
ESL Milk "Everyday wrote:
A great public school is usually still light years ahead of a good hagwon. A bad public school is still light years ahead of a bad hagwon.


Dunno.I found my teaching ability atrophied somewhat at PS. Its also lonelier. The deskwarming is a waste of time.

At hogwons you are responsible for your own classes 100%. You get to know the students better. You're busy. And you have the support of other foreigners.


Plus 1. Teaching in a public school, you can't get to know any of your students. What's the point of being a teacher, if your not trying to get to know your students and help them improve?

Desk warming is a complete waste of time and I can't stand it. If you can find a decent hagwon your work hours can be quite short and you can leave immediately after your last class.

And don't get me started on the public school lunches. lol


you can get to know your students, if you try. you won't know them all (nor will you want to) but the students do get chances to be close with you- and they take that opportunity.

deskwarming is a principal issue. if your principal likes you- you will edge out of that silly policy. (understand that it isn't a rule, but a policy) if they don't notice you, forget about it.

lunch? i'm with you on this one Smile but lets remember that most hagwons don't pay for your lunch Idea or make you eat with the children Crying or Very sad
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RMNC



Joined: 21 Jul 2010

PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I see that last point as a positive rather than a negative.
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WoBW



Joined: 07 Dec 2007
Location: HBC

PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have to side with the hagwons here - purely from personal experience.

I worked at 3 different hagwons during my time in Korea, for a total of about 4 years. I guess I got lucky, but in all that time I was never paid a day late, or a won short; never asked to do anything beyond the contract terms and had a happy time all round.

I was certainly lucky - it wasn't down to my skillful selection of jobs. I never bothered to contact previous employees. In two cases I went for interviews and started work the following day. In short, I didn't follow any of the good advice you can find on here for choosing a good gig. Pure luck.

On the other hand, I also worked at one public school, and it was the only time I was ever truly unhappy in Korea.

Just remember, people come here to vent. The tales you read about hagwons, though undoubtedly true, are skewed towards the negative.

I would say to anyone, give hagwons a chance. If you are either just lucky like me or savvy (unlike me) and you find a good one, life is easy, stress free and in my own experience happy.
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Underwaterbob



Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Location: In Cognito

PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RMNC wrote:
I may teach 30 hours a week but I'm only there for 35 hours total, as opposed to every EPIK teacher I know who teaches 22 hours a week and is still there for 40 hours a week. 3+ hours of deskwarming? I'd rather work.


You don't know me. I'm with EPIK and my schools (unofficially) all let me leave as soon as my classes are finished. I'm often home before 2 these days. It helps I've been at the same schools for three years and am doing a bang-up job. While it does largely depend on your schools and co-teachers, if you ingratiate yourself enough they'll eventually let you do what you want.
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ZIFA



Joined: 23 Feb 2011
Location: Dici che il fiume..Trova la via al mare

PostPosted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

cj1976 wrote:
I'm seriously thinking about quitting the public school gigs, but the vacation time is sweet. That's hard to give up. If hagwons could be a little more generous (14 days instead of 10, perhaps), I'd be willing to give it a go.


Most P. schools dictate when to take vacation, which tends to nullify the purpose of it.

I much prefer to choose the timing of my own 2 weeks off per year, than be told exactly when I have to take 4 weeks off.
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shostahoosier



Joined: 14 Apr 2009

PostPosted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ZIFA wrote:
cj1976 wrote:
I'm seriously thinking about quitting the public school gigs, but the vacation time is sweet. That's hard to give up. If hagwons could be a little more generous (14 days instead of 10, perhaps), I'd be willing to give it a go.


Most P. schools dictate when to take vacation, which tends to nullify the purpose of it.

I much prefer to choose the timing of my own 2 weeks off per year, than be told exactly when I have to take 4 weeks off.


I dont know any hagwon worker who's ever gotten 2 weeks off per year. They are given 2 weeks worth of vacation, but not the full 2 at once.

Either way, are you saying that hagwons allow you to up and leave for vacation without the manager's discretion? I have a hard time believing that. If you mean you can request a vacation time and get approval, then public schools work that way too.
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wylies99



Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!

PostPosted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
but lets remember that most hagwons don't pay for your lunch or make you eat with the children


It happens in hogwans. Sometimes you even have to serve the food and cleanup after the kids. Not a good thing.
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kingssurfer



Joined: 14 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Sun May 01, 2011 4:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

All the reasons posted above are why I work at an after school program.
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