Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rapier]

[CanadaCommando]

After finishing my first semester in public school gig, I am more than happy to say...

I would never do a hogwan again.

Not to bag on hogwans at all...but a GOOD public school gig can be one of the best gigs in Korea. Instead of a co-teacher, at my school we (aussi korean teacher and myself)split classes and trade off between semesters-so I have 20 kids per. Different kids for every block all week-so I only teach 2 lessons each week. There is NO stress there-two strong lessons carry you well through the whole week! That being said, walk in with a weak lesson and be prepared to flounder around in front of 20 critical little minds...
Classroom managment is a skill which you have to have for these positions, as is patience, but man can it pay off...I also have the official listed vacation at 6 weeks, but it has worked out so far to be more like 12! The total teaching hours are only 20, but I am there for 40. However, your hours leave you in a great position for any side work you may want, and your title as a public school teacher carries more weight than that of a hogwan teacher in most areas (at least I have found when explaining my situation) both in korea and on the resume back home.

The sad truth is, you dont get a chance to connect with many of your students, or at least I don't. In a class of 20, I know the 5 worst students by name, and the 5 best...the ten in between I honestly can't recall....remember, with 20 classes of 20, thats 400 kids...800 now that I have done a term already! So, personal connection is something you do sacrifice in taking such a position. That being said, I do know few of my students quite well, and all of them are friendly and respectful in the hall and in class.

[rapier]

[Demophobe]

Well, after my last fiasco of a "job", I started teaching at a public elementary school, but....

I chose one in the sticks. Well, 2 actually. Both schools have under 100 students total. My class sizes will be 12~15 students. My co-teacher is a good friend of my wife's and he is fluent in English and well-travelled. They just re-modelled both English rooms at their schools (my rooms now!) with huge touch-screen monitor/whiteboards/overhead projectors, a computer at each worktable (3 students to a workgroup), central heating and the principals of both schools go to my church in Chuncheon on the weekends.

I would say that I am one very fortunate guy. Thank God.

I haven't started yet, but I am going in to do prep and organize the classes. All the paperwork is done, just waiting for the kids. I am seriously looking forward to this for many reasons. I chose a school in the country as I just bought a new (used) car, and after my short tenure in Seoul, I needed the exact opposite. I guess I am a small-town guy (a true demophobe?!) and having a good grip on the language and culture are going far to make me welcome in these areas. I mean, hey...they are small towns and we all know that it can mean a very difficult time if the people don't warm up to you.

I teach in the mountains, with great views, great places to take the special class on Wednesdays (I get to hand pick the ten best students for 3-hour "whatever you want to do" classes, my only class on Wednesday!) and lots of fresh, pine-scented air. Actually, the Wednesday class will be doing a lot of Drama, as they would like to see a short play/skit at the ends of both semesters. Still, that's groovy.

I will teach a total of 27 hours per week and this includes a 2-hour teachers class. So, 25 hours in the classroom and let me tell ya....the pay rocks.

Anyways, if you can, get out of Seoul. The teachers and principals at these 2 schools are really nice, generous and good people. The country is the place to be.

I have also been assured that my vacations will follow my wife's, who is also an elementary school teacher.

[CanadaCommando]