Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rawiri]

So it's a couple of hours into my first stint in a public (elementary) school. The vibe seems totally different to that of a hagwon which has it's good and bad points i guess. One thing that's pretty different is my co teachers english speaking ability, with some of them it's practically zilch, but that's what i'm here for I guess. Compared to a Hagwon where you are pretty much guaranteed that your head teacher is going to be able to communicate with you on some reasonable level.

Another difference is my schedule, it's really light here, no more than 4 40 minute classes a day which is nice, the downside being that you have to show up at 830 and can't leave before 430 as opposed to the old hit and run tactics i use to get away with in the hagwon.

Anyways, anyone teaching public school elementary, please leave me a few pointers as i'm pretty sure i'll need them!.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I don't teach elementary but here's a pointer: why don't you title your thread 'Making the shift to elementary school' instead of yet, yet, yet another 'Public schools vs. hogwans' threads.

[Octavius Hite]

I love teaching at public schools. The staying there all day sucks, my suggestion use the time to watch the news and watch movies and chat with buddies back home, work on that novel you always wanted to write. I love the light workload and the lack of english, keeps people out of my buisness. Also you will always get paid and get a mostly straight deal. But be warned, as a government employee you have to get a physical every year that the school gets to keep. This includes an HIV test and a urine test, so you've been warned.

[Peter Jackson]

When I applied for my public school postion back in February the recruiter said that I would have to submit the following:

Criminal records check from back home
Health certificate
two letters of reference

I never submitted any of them. I was in SE Asia at the time and getting the police check from my home country was very difficult and expensive. I couldn't get the health check either.

I've been here 3 months and no one has asked for the documents. About this yearly physical: is it mandatory? Would they fire a teacher who refused?

On principal, I would not agree to a health check unless I chose the doctor and it was done in a country other than Korea. I just don't think any third party should have any private information. I am waiting for the day to come when they ask for this test. I will never give blood or urine. A TB test would be the only thing I would do as even in my home country a teacher has to do this. There is no need to test blood and urine except for HIV and drug use.

[Octavius Hite]

Believe me there was fight here because I definitly didnt want the school secretary having my info. But it is mandatory for all government employees in Korea (this is what I was told) and they seemed pretty serious about it. When I went for it I was freaking out as getting an HIV test is bad enough but knowing that it is not anonymous and that the whole school is likely to know is hoorendous. Not to metion that a positive result on either the drug or HIV test is automatic deportation, so take this into consideration. Luckily I hadn't smoked anything since last September so kool.

[Peter Jackson]

things are done a little differently here. I have nothing to hide but to me it's the principal of it.

I have a feeling they will let it slide as I'm in the boonies and finding another teacher wouldn't be so easy. If they bring it up I will say yes but stall as much as possible and then graciously resign if they're adament about it. I feel very strongly about privacy issues. I hope it never comes to that.

Cheers,

[ddeubel]

I would just go to your own doctor as I did. All is private and he only wrote a quick note that "MR. >>>>> is in full health and there are no health reasons he should not be teaching. " Fully accepted by the MofE.

Cost you though but you are also able to take the day off of work to get it done.........which costs you though, cuz you are shopping and having a fine meal and ...........

DD

[Peter Jackson]

I will do that if it comes up. I don't think it will be a problem.

Cheers,

[I_Am_Wrong]

I can't stand people who complain about working a full 8 hour day. I think that if a teacher has all of their work done by 3 or 3:30 then they should be able to go home, but it doesn't work like that in Korea. If you have something important to do you can sign out early.

In your spare time I suggest you work on lesson plans, prepare materials, study teaching methodology, study Korean, read a good book etc. The best thing about a public school is actually having time to plan a nice well rounded lesson.

[buymybook]

[sarahsarah]

[I_Am_Wrong]

[ontheway]

It's nice to see people who love their schools so much that they stand by their "principals".

Principals do it on principle.

My principal is my pal.

[zappadelta]

[Tarheel13]

to pick up the incorrect use of the language. You ESL "conversationalists" might just begin to believe that you really are teachers if this keeps up.
Be warned, I will be watching your use of the language, punctuation and syntax, among other things. Adieu..