Korean Job Discussion Forums

kiwib · Joined: 03 Jul 2007

I have just been offered a contract working a split shift 7-10am and again at 6-9 pm.

Apart from this the contract and the job sound great (its the new YBM in Busan i posted previously about)...

... But the way i see it i'd have to go to bed straight away when i get home after the evening shift in order to get up for the morning one on time... then i cant go far cos ive got to be back later in the day... it means no socialising on evenings at all midweek...

unless i have half my sleep in the afternoon then just a few hours on a night.... but thats not really practical... quite ridiculous probably...

i really want to accept this contract, ive been looking for ages, and everything apart from the split sounds really cool.... are split shifts really a killer.... can anyone give me their opinion on working the split shift...?

In writing this post its made me think about it more, and i'm even more firm in mind that the split shift wouldn't be for me..... can anyone give some positives...?
Aaaaarggggh!!!

Gutted!
Dan

reactionary · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: korreia

don't do it. ever heard of a biological clock? don't mess with it. other jobs out there to be had.

kimchi_pizza · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:04 pm Post subject:

Sorry man, I don't know 'bout other teachers but there's no way that would work for me. Once I'm inna a groove I wanna keep going without any lengthy breaks. Split shifts mess up my timing and even though they're only 3-4 hours shots, they still seem to consume the entire day.

If the contract is as good as you say, then at least it's a chance to gain experience as I assume you'll be teaching very different age groups. Probably kindy/elementary students in the morning and high school/college/adult in the evenings. A lot of prep will probably be needed.

The_Eyeball_Kid · Joined: 20 Jun 2007

It's tough but you can get used to it. Make sure you have hobbies and interests that you can focus on in your free afternoons or you'll waste a hell of a lot of time.

Split shifts are often the price you pay for teaching adults, unless you can get into a good school who have the managerial skill to arrange it a little better. (As a 'for instance', I work a late shift one day and an early the next, but it's arranged in such a way that I do the same number of hours as if I was doing a split shift, meaning that I get a lot of free time and only have to get up really early twice a week.)

Zolt · Joined: 18 May 2006

You can socialize on weekends. If you've got something you really want to dedicate to, such as getting back in shape, learning korean, or make loads of cash doing privates a shift like yours can be very convenient, since you're at your peak between the shifts.

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

Split shifts suck big time. You can't earn "extra" money. Pay is low, and fundamentally hours are long. Do it and you'll regret it, unless your happy earning Jack, and living like a monk.

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

YBM in Seoul used to rotate teachers between split and block shifts.3 months of feeling very tired at work,not seeing the sun in winter,feeling rushed for time etc.Then 3 months of relatively normal.

Talk to teachers there about their shifts.Don't trust management cos' when your turn for a block shift is meant to come,they might say it was a "misunderstanding",which would massively suck and minus a letter of release,you'd be stuck with it.

3 months of split shifts you can resign yourself to,more than that,I'd tell them no.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

You can't really do private teaching with that schedule because those are the peak times when everyone wants a private teacher!

ceesgetdegrees · Joined: 12 Jul 2007

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

sojourner1 · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:18 pm Post subject:

Looks like it would be a good job for someone who rises early and goes to bed shortly after work who climbs mountains and goes to the gym during the day as well as eat the bulk of their food early in the day. It looks like a very healthy way to go if are inclined to be self discipline enough to not be staying out late at dinners with your students and friends such as samgyeopsal with alcohol. It would be hard to resist not going out late to drink, especially knowing more adults from teaching adults which is the catch 22 that will make you burn the candle at both ends and become super exhausted to the point of it wearing your health down.

It theory it could be the best way to go where as you exercise a lot and eat the majority of your food early in the day, but those late night dinners and drinking with adult students and friends will getcha. I have never taught an adult split shift, but I sorta do at a kids hagwon. I like the long lunch break to work out, eat, and run errands such as paying bills or going to a doctor. I am still inclined to go out with friends, eat, and drink beer in the evening on week nights though which is keeping me from being my best.

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

DON'T DO IT!!

I did 6 months of 10am-12pm and then 6pm-10pm.

I wouldn't even reccomend that!

You'll be tired after first shift and then have the choice of either sleeping all afternoon (day wasted) or spending the afternoon doing something constructive - if you HAVE something constructive to do. Or you'll jut waste the time bumming around.

Then you'll be knackered when you get to your evening shift and be flat out exhausted by the time you get home.

This kind of working day feels SO DAMN LONG and the weeks will just pass by in an exhausted BLURRRRRRR.

Be warned....

atomic42 · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Location: Gimhae

I was offered the same and politely declined, though the offer was a fat one.
I moved abroad to experience a better quality of life and maintain, if not improve my life/work balance. That schedule would have defeated me and my raison d'etre.

Practice: "No, but thank you for your offer."

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

Finishing work at 9pm,it always took me some time to wind down.Travelling time from home to work and back again,even if it's just half an hour from door to door would be 2 hours of your day gone.

Being tired and riding the stiflingly hot public transport germ tube in winter will be a huge drag.Such will be the trade off if you're teaching adults.Bear in mind they can be quite opaquely demanding,and will require MORE prep time.

Fuggit,I couldn't and wouldn't do it again.

One last thing-is the housing fully paid for by YBM?Taking a pay-cut in the sense of paying rent is another price to pay for teaching adults,or at least used to be.

colonel sanders · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:32 pm Post subject:

During the winter, I actually liked split shifts. I would wake up go to work, come home and take a power nap to recharge. Then I would have 4 or 5 hours in the heart of the day to do whatever I wanted. Soon, I will go to work when its dark out, work all of the light, and then head home when its dark again. No time to hike, bike, or do anything outside. All of the banks, post offices, etc. are closed.