Korean Job Discussion Forums

[travelin_shoe]

It's not really stated anywhere what public school teachers are supposed to wear so I'm just wondering if it's generally more business casual or more dressed up than that. Any insights here?

[driftingfocus]

Ditto. I'm wondering this as well.

I'm also wondering if the dress code is generally more relaxed in rural areas? I'm going to be on an island in the south, and I would think it would be more casual.

[Otherside]

In my experience its generally "smart-casual", collared shirts, chinos (or similar) etc for guys. Shoes aren't really an issue as you will most likely have to change into slippers at the front door.

My rule of thumb is to follow the dress code by the Male (female, if thats you) Korean teachers at your school. The Principal and VP will almost certainly be wearing a suit...so watch the other guys. My schools in a rural area and of the 5 or so male teachers, 1 regularly wears a jacket and tie and the other 4 are pretty casual (sweat pants and jeans on occasion). So I'm pretty relaxed about my attire. If every teacher was wearing a tie, I'd probably wear a tie too.

[Gwangjuboy]

[blade]

I just wear jeans and a sweatshirt, I don't know if my principle has a problem with what I wear or not but nobody has ever said anything about it to me.

When I worked at a hagwon my director actually told me same cloths as seemingly some of the kids complained that I seemed to wear the same cloths to work everyday and that I should just wear a casual cloths instead of a shirt and tie.

[driftingfocus]

[teachergirltoo]

I work at a high school in Suwon. Everyone dresses formal. I wear a dress, dress-suit, or pant-suit. The male native speaker teacher wears either a suit or dress-shirt with tie and dress-slacks.

[Charriere]

i work in an elementary school in the outskirts of seoul. I usually wear jeans or casual pants and a polo t-shirt. Thus far, no comments have been made, in fact most of my co-teachers wear jeans too. However, they are all female...The men tend to wear suits but also occupy the more senior roles in the school - i feel more comfortable in casual wear, especially in the summer!

[Cerriowen]

Business Casual is usually what I go for.

No Jeans. No T-shirts. No Tennis Shoes. Nothing too sexy

I usually wear slacks or dress pants, and a blouse type thing, with flat semi-dress shoes. I'm not nearly as dressy as my female co-workers, (frilly button up blouses and skirts with high-heals) but my boss compliments me on my wardrobe.

The first day I came in to meet them I only had jeans and a t-shirt available. When I explained, my boss said "That's OK. I know Americans dont (???)" I didn't catch the rest of his sentence... but what ever it was, it probably wasn't terribly complimentary

[ED209]

I wore a hanbok on my first day, boy I'll never live that one down.

[mikekim]

soccer shorts and a t-shirt. Its too hot, so flip flops no socks.

I get stares from the chick that has been wearing the same fake polo Ralph Lauren polo with another (I'm assuming fake polo Ralph Lauren polo) underneath for a week.