|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
 Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:42 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| 3DR wrote: |
I had an easy public school my first year with GEPIK, then went to a hagwon. I'm going back to public this year as I'd never ever do a hagwon again.
The people who said don't take it too easy are right. I made that mistake in my first public school. They didn't micromanage and although I did make lessons and powerpoints, and most classes liked them, I could have done much more. Instead I played around too much on FB, watching sports, planning vacations, etc, and wondered why I didn't get renewed (didn't notice until it was too late). Don't make that same mistake I made. |
Did they non renew you because of your quality of work, then? Do the teachers not say anything to you and then quietly pull out the long knives? That's not really fair if that's what happened to you?
I have to admit what drove me was hearing of waygooks getting dropped more easily since the recession and it lit a fire under me to strengthen my materials. But my first couple of years (pre recession) were in a rural area, more slack, and renewal was more automatic.
What, I'm curious of then is if you get non renewed is if you can work in public schools elsewhere? I thought you couldn't? Are they more forgiving of that now? As for me, I'm in a bigger city and definately feel more of a pressure cooker than before. But, I'm also prepared beyond doubt so now I am left alone and have a good rep in my city. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
| bbunce wrote: |
You guys really do have it good in PS. I teach 6 hours a day and desk warm at least 2 hrs. Usually, I have 7-8 different classes 50 minutes each and teach kindergarten to adults. Fortunately, I don't have a split schedule or have to travel because that would kill me.
What's powerpoint? hehe. We don't have projectors or computers for the classroom. I once made the mistake of bringing my laptop in but the kids wanted to touch/break it.
I use to make thorough lesson plans for each class but there's just no time. Now, I devote about 5-10 minutes preparation for each class with maybe 1-2 minutes preparation for really low level kids. I constantly look at the clock to check how much time I have left. I have tons of word searches ready to go (all related to vocabulary they are learning) and on Friday's that's how the students spend half the class. I know my classes are often boring and lack creativity. However, I do try to make my students laugh (by speaking in Korean or drawing something-the pre-schoolers draw better than me) and I don't yell at them if they want to talk in the classroom. (unless another student or me is talking) The owner thinks I'm great because the students keep coming back and enrollment is up.
So yes, I am very jealous of you guys in PS. Heck, I can't work in a public school even if I found one. I'd lose my military retirement because I'm not allowed to work for a foreign government. (Public schools are part of the Korean government) At least I'll be more ready to work at a public school back home because I'm getting very good at being creative on the fly. |
I met a couple of ex military guys in their 50's who worked for EPIK. Don't think they had any problems. They were here 25 years ago with the US Army and came back again recently. Working in a school is different than actually working in their civil service. You're an assistant teacher but you don't get the government pension or higher level benefits Korean teachers and civil servants get. You really should ask about that with your own former comanders. Maybe you already have. In which case, ignore me. Ha ha. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
| matthews_world wrote: |
Just wondering if the OP has found the main resource site for Korean teachers that will give them even more free time.  |
I'm just wondering if all the OP is going to do is complain on these forums (ie: public school is too easy or I can't find my way around Bucheon) and then never return to the threads she started to thank the users who helped her.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| 3DR wrote: |
I had an easy public school my first year with GEPIK, then went to a hagwon. I'm going back to public this year as I'd never ever do a hagwon again.
The people who said don't take it too easy are right. I made that mistake in my first public school. They didn't micromanage and although I did make lessons and powerpoints, and most classes liked them, I could have done much more. Instead I played around too much on FB, watching sports, planning vacations, etc, and wondered why I didn't get renewed (didn't notice until it was too late). Don't make that same mistake I made. |
Did they non renew you because of your quality of work, then? Do the teachers not say anything to you and then quietly pull out the long knives? That's not really fair if that's what happened to you?
I have to admit what drove me was hearing of waygooks getting dropped more easily since the recession and it lit a fire under me to strengthen my materials. But my first couple of years (pre recession) were in a rural area, more slack, and renewal was more automatic.
What, I'm curious of then is if you get non renewed is if you can work in public schools elsewhere? I thought you couldn't? Are they more forgiving of that now? As for me, I'm in a bigger city and definately feel more of a pressure cooker than before. But, I'm also prepared beyond doubt so now I am left alone and have a good rep in my city. |
I thought SMOE you had to wait 3 years to transfer...though not sure what happens if they don't keep you that long.
With GEPIK it's fine to transfer if you're not renewed (provided they aren't in the middle of a hiring freeze. *cough* *cough*) but it's more you applying for other GEPIK schools that are hiring than it is GEPIK automatically transferring you at your request. If the new school you apply for hires you, then the school that isn't recontracting you can transfer your documents.
Nt sure how it's done with EPIK.
Last edited by isitts on Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:14 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Joe Boxer
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
Location: Bundang, South Korea
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
Regardless of anything else, YOUR WIFE is in Korea, so you should be too!
By hook or by crook, get here on a tourist visa and figure the rest out later. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
...
Last edited by isitts on Mon Mar 12, 2012 12:37 am; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Joe Boxer
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
Location: Bundang, South Korea
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
...
Last edited by Joe Boxer on Sun Mar 25, 2012 3:53 am; edited 3 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bbunce
Joined: 28 Sep 2011
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| bbunce wrote: |
You guys really do have it good in PS. I teach 6 hours a day and desk warm at least 2 hrs. Usually, I have 7-8 different classes 50 minutes each and teach kindergarten to adults. Fortunately, I don't have a split schedule or have to travel because that would kill me.
What's powerpoint? hehe. We don't have projectors or computers for the classroom. I once made the mistake of bringing my laptop in but the kids wanted to touch/break it.
I use to make thorough lesson plans for each class but there's just no time. Now, I devote about 5-10 minutes preparation for each class with maybe 1-2 minutes preparation for really low level kids. I constantly look at the clock to check how much time I have left. I have tons of word searches ready to go (all related to vocabulary they are learning) and on Friday's that's how the students spend half the class. I know my classes are often boring and lack creativity. However, I do try to make my students laugh (by speaking in Korean or drawing something-the pre-schoolers draw better than me) and I don't yell at them if they want to talk in the classroom. (unless another student or me is talking) The owner thinks I'm great because the students keep coming back and enrollment is up.
So yes, I am very jealous of you guys in PS. Heck, I can't work in a public school even if I found one. I'd lose my military retirement because I'm not allowed to work for a foreign government. (Public schools are part of the Korean government) At least I'll be more ready to work at a public school back home because I'm getting very good at being creative on the fly. |
I met a couple of ex military guys in their 50's who worked for EPIK. Don't think they had any problems. They were here 25 years ago with the US Army and came back again recently. Working in a school is different than actually working in their civil service. You're an assistant teacher but you don't get the government pension or higher level benefits Korean teachers and civil servants get. You really should ask about that with your own former comanders. Maybe you already have. In which case, ignore me. Ha ha. |
You can receive a waiver from the Secretary of State to work in a public school so perhaps they know Hillary. Also, Uncle Sam is great for waiting and making you pay back money at a later date, sometimes 2-3 years later. As long as the government doesn't find out, it's not a problem. Otherwise, when I signed my retirement papers, it specifically stated working in a foreign public school overseas was not allowed. I could work for the Department of Defense Schools without an issue. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| isitts wrote: |
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| 3DR wrote: |
I had an easy public school my first year with GEPIK, then went to a hagwon. I'm going back to public this year as I'd never ever do a hagwon again.
The people who said don't take it too easy are right. I made that mistake in my first public school. They didn't micromanage and although I did make lessons and powerpoints, and most classes liked them, I could have done much more. Instead I played around too much on FB, watching sports, planning vacations, etc, and wondered why I didn't get renewed (didn't notice until it was too late). Don't make that same mistake I made. |
Did they non renew you because of your quality of work, then? Do the teachers not say anything to you and then quietly pull out the long knives? That's not really fair if that's what happened to you?
I have to admit what drove me was hearing of waygooks getting dropped more easily since the recession and it lit a fire under me to strengthen my materials. But my first couple of years (pre recession) were in a rural area, more slack, and renewal was more automatic.
What, I'm curious of then is if you get non renewed is if you can work in public schools elsewhere? I thought you couldn't? Are they more forgiving of that now? As for me, I'm in a bigger city and definately feel more of a pressure cooker than before. But, I'm also prepared beyond doubt so now I am left alone and have a good rep in my city. |
I thought SMOE you had to wait 3 years to transfer...though not sure what happens if they don't keep you that long.
With GEPIK it's fine to transfer if you're not renewed (provided they aren't in the middle of a hiring freeze. *cough* *cough*) but it's more you applying for other GEPIK schools that are hiring than it is GEPIK automatically transferring you at your request. If the new school you apply for hires you, then the school that isn't recontracting you can transfer your documents.
Nt sure how it's done with EPIK. |
But, I think he meant he was dropped (got a bad review) and was non renewed. I had heard before if that happened, you were blacklisted with all schools in Korea. But, maybe that isn't so? That's what I'm trying to find out. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 12:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Joe Boxer wrote: |
| isitts wrote: |
| Joe Boxer wrote: |
Regardless of anything else, YOUR WIFE is in Korea, so you should be too!
By hook or by crook, get here on a tourist visa and figure the rest out later. |
Umm...I think you put this on the wrong thread.  |
Lol!
Oh man, I'd delete it, but you already quoted me  |
Deleted. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Weigookin74 wrote: |
| [But, I think he meant he was dropped (got a bad review) and was non renewed. I had heard before if that happened, you were blacklisted with all schools in Korea. But, maybe that isn't so? That's what I'm trying to find out. |
No it isn't so. With a bad review it definitely will be harder when re-applying but not impossible. And you could always switch (say from GEPIK to EPIK or vice versa). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mr Lee's Monkey
Joined: 24 Oct 2007
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:42 am Post subject: I'm with you, isitts |
|
|
| This is the OP that posted about her great resume and awesome insight after one whole year's experience in what she, herself, says was a sh*tty hagwon. This is the OP who has knee jerked over and over when something hasn't gone the way she thought it should in the process....drat that incompetent FBI and hmmmmm gee whiz which awesome job better suits my awesomeness. OP, how about going away for a little while and getting your feet wet - figure a few things out for yourself and grow up a little bit. It's old now. Really. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
b-class rambler
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| thegadfly wrote: |
TUM,
I wasn't saying I didn't think it could be done -- just that I thought it was harder to do at a PS than at a hakwon.
For example, the STARTING salary for anyone we hire at this hakwon is 2.925 million, for 23 class-contact hours...OT is paid at 30k won an hour...so the thirty class-hour work-week you posit would get a "newbie" at my school about 3.8 million a month before taxes, as opposed to the 3.4 million won for the PS in your example...so about another 5 million a year for someone coming in at the bottom at this hakwon, compared to someone topping out at a PS.... |
I think someone else made a similar point earlier, but just to reiterate, to liken 30 hagwon teaching hours with 22 regular + 8 overtime PS classes would, in all but a few pretty exceptional cases, be completely misleading.
In PS, your normal 22 hours a week can be as little as under 15 hours actual class time. The OT classes may be longer than the standard 40 mins for elementary (or 45/50 for MS/HS) but they still often tend to be well under an hour's duration. Factoring in also that many PS classes will be co-taught and require limited preparation, I'd say it's possible that the PS teacher doing 22 + 8 is expending just 60-70%, or maybe even less, of the energy and effort (as well as a fraction of the time) of the hagwon teacher doing 30 classes.
Of course there are pros and cons of both kinds of jobs and some will be be pros for some folk and cons for others depending on their own individual circumstances. I understand too how some people feel that working in a PS would be too easy and make their brain rot. However, that doesn't have to be the case if you've got an easy PS schedule. Some people in that situation don't consider that down time to be a waste. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cheezsteakwit
Joined: 12 Oct 2011
Location: There & back again.
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
...
Last edited by cheezsteakwit on Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:35 am Post subject: Re: public schools ... easy |
|
|
| cheezsteakwit wrote: |
I'm at a PS high school and my total in-class time during the week is less than 16 hours.
I've been there 2 weeks , & spend 3 days at one school, 2 days at another school and do 8 classes per school, 50 minutes per period.
Last week, my mentor told me i'd be getting more classes this week, then, this week she told me my schedule was final. (just 8 classes)
Question? - Can they hold that against me later for supposedly not following the contracted 22 hours per week in class ???
I have no problem picking up more classes & I use my time productively lesson planning & whatnot, as the English level is pretty low at both schools.
I have 4 co-teachers at the one school & 1 at the other & the 4 co-teachers pretty much leave me do my thing (2 of them aren't even in class with me) & the co-teacher at the other school mainly translates directions, etc...
Seems like things aren't too bad so far - i just don't want the 'other shoe to drop' down the road.
Thanks in advance for any insight. |
You'll likely be given more classes. Probably elective classes for the students or teaching the teachers. But I don't know. Sixteen hours is quite a bit short of 22. Guess it's harder to get enough hours in a high school with only three grades. Elementary school has a lot of grades levels to work with. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
