Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner1]

During my year at a hagwon, we went on many spectacular field trips with our kindergarten, usually 2 to 3 times per month. We sailed on a tall ship (Korea's only tall ship, the Koreana) with sails yesterday on the ocean and had many other pleasant times mostly on Friday mornings and some Wednesday mornings. We visited art museums, traditional folk villages, picked fruit on a farm, and many other numerous outings that made me appreciate the beauties Korea has to offer. Sometimes I feel I got more out of these field trips than the kids did, but it is such a healthy thing to do.

While these field trips are for the children, they have served a very important purpose in my life in Korea in learning about Korean culture, fostering staff and student relationships, seeing the real Korea, and doing things I would never had known how to do or even existed. It is a very special thing to experience interesting things with your students while learning something yourself. Before I came to Korea, I guessed that I would be learning more than I am teaching on this venture and I was right about that one.

I would re-up with my hagwon, but the teaching load and stress, particularly with afternoon classes are too much to stomach. Next February, I am looking to take a public school position in the most beautiful part of Korea. My current hagwon job is clearly worth 3 million won a month in my opinion due to stresses and difficulty with afternoon classes, but only pays 2 and I see greener pastures elsewhere so I am not re-upping. It is weren't for those afternoon classes after kindergarten finishes at 3PM, I would re-up as it is a very decent elite hagwon. It is a very beautiful kindergarten school, but the late afternoon elementary and middle school classes stress me too much after I had gotten up early and put my efforts into my kindergarten home room class which I love and take pride in teaching who are doing so well. They will be greatly missed come after this Christmas. I hope they do well, they have the world going them as they are smart good kids with rich parents.

What sort of cultural activities might you be involved with in public schools?

[LateBloomer]

It depends on the school. At my public elementary school there is only one significant trip for each grade level and they seem to go to a well-known Korean historic site. There are also rare trips to places like an English Village.

I have never been invited on any of the trips and the same is true for several people I know. Some teachers get to go. Some don't. We are chained to our classrooms

[KYC]

I've been here 3 months and so far there has been 2 field trips. They also have many "events" other than field trips (ceremonies, festivals, etc)..and when these events take place...my classes are canceled Though I am expected to participate...but not forced.

[chachee99]

I don't know about public schools, but kids at the pivate elementary school I work at go one field trips all the time. Most of the field trips for grades 1-3 are picnics! When they go one field trips I don't have to teach. And the best part is, I am not expected to attend any of their field trips!!!!

[ardis]

My public middle school just went on a field trip last Friday, and several others in the area did, too. My co-teachers said I could come if I want, but they said I should take advantage of the day off and just have fun.

[waynehead]

My public middle school also recently went on a field trip, and unlike the previous poster I was 'asked' to go along. The next week we had our school festival at incheon grand park and i had to go to that too.

Tedium, thy name is public school excursions!

Still, it wasn't too bad, I made sure I was seen for a coupla hours both times and then found a tree under which I could read a book. Beats working.

[pest2]

My school had a few. I didnt want to do most, but opted to go on the hike up Daechungbang, the highest peak in the mainland. I also did a fun one to a science museum and career fair.

[cruisemonkey]

A couple of weeks ago, on a friday, my public middle school went on field trips (seperate places for each grade). I was given the choice of going along, how taking the day off. I chose the long weekend! Asssssah!

[ernie]

my middle school often does nature walks and other activities... usually i can make an appearance and then take off before all the talking begins... the kids and teachers are happy because they know that i want to be with them, and it's nice to chat with them outside of the school...

[nomad-ish]

my public ms has a ton of field trips. already this year, there have been trips to everland, new songdo, a high school trip for my 3rd years, a grad trip for my 3rd years at the end of this month, and we had a school festival last month.
i'm not required to attend any of the stuff, but neither do i have the day off.

[Scouse Mouse]

In my first month at my middle school I went on a nice 3 day trip around Korea. Took in few national sites and some wonderful mountains. It was a fantastic introduction to how beautiful this country is once you get out of the cities.

[Bibbitybop]

My field trips include: Museums, mutli-days to the beach and mountains, amusement parks, universities, parks and others. I'm always invited but never required to go.