Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ihateittoo]

I know many questions have probably been asked about the fashionable choices of being in the Korean classroom. I have seen many pictures of teachers in the classroom that seem to be dressed rather casually.

So I guess my first question is what do you typically wear in the classroom? I guess I should add that I am a boy. But gals can add here too in case others have similiar questions.

Also, is there any typical rules on beards or longer hair?

Are there many occasions where you are expected to wear a suit?

Lastly are good dress clothes easy to find in a big city such as Busan? Or would it be better to bring them from Canada?

thanks

[nomad-ish]

[DrOctagon]

[Netz]

[icicle]

I think the best thing is to take the lead from your school and what the other teachers of your gender are wearing.

In general it seems that the overall dress standard is higher at a public school than at at least some hagwons. In a public school you are going to want at least to have the option of "dressing up" for special days like your open classes and some events. Suits and/or ties for the guys were general dress at my public middle school last year for at least the special days but for many of the male teachers all the time. None of them were dressed very casually any of the time. So I would have put smart casual as the minimum I would wear in a public school but would want the dressy suit option for special days.

In a hagwon it can very much depend upon the age of the students. In my kindergarten/elementary hagwon general dress standard is fairly casual ... but when there are special events like song festivals with parents teachers do dress up.

I would talk to your school about what they expect ... And then take the lead from what other people in your school are wearing. I would have at least a dress up option in any case. If you don't use it at school you can use it for personal events/activities where you want to dress up. It will in general be easier to bring it with you than to buy it here (unless you are of a size/weight that allows you to wear normal Korean size closed.

[creesschaef]

I work at an elementary school, so this may not apply for middle or high school teachers. Most of the male teachers at my school dress quite casually, so I fit right in.

I have never worn anything other than jeans and polo shirts.

For open/demo classes, more formal wear is required, so I do have a suit on hand.

My school has been encouraging me to grow a beard or mustache. They want a westerner in the true sense of the word. Some teachers in my area have had longer hair or interesting styles without any problems.

[PigeonFart]

Some women in my hogwon have a lot of exposed skin. A lot of bare shoulders and backs....and a lot of thigh due to their hotpants!!!

If a western woman shows just an inch of breast, then she's accused of being slutty. Double standards it seems.

[red_devil]

[DrOctagon]

[oldfatfarang]

In Korea, you get the level of respect accorded to your presentation. Most western teachers dress very casually (jeans, polos). That's OK, but.... in public school you'll need to look very carefully at the other Korean teachers' clothes. And dress accordingly. A suit on your first week - and then on special days (open class) etc will help your 'relationship' with your school. It will also help your classroom management, re the students thinking you're a 'real' teacher.

Many Asians think facial hair is dirty. Only poor people in Asia wear this look. However, age related respect allows very old men to wear a beard. Your fellow public school teachers will undoubtedly be too polite to tell you about your 'dirty' face - however, if you start getting remarks like, "Teacher, you look tired" - from the kids or teachers - it's time to shave.

It can't be stressed too much, appearances in Korea are everything. To be untidy in dress is not only shaming yourself, your family - but importantly, shaming your school. Welcome to the world of 'face'.

Clothes are dead cheap in K (for small skinny people). But you may spend the rest of your life looking for 'normal' western colors and designs. (Buying Korean clothes might get you into a pin-striped purple shirt, flaming orange/yellow-spotted tie, and a shiny metallic-silver suit.) This is the much famed 'Ajoshi' look.

So bring some smart casuals with you. You can vary your look by buying heaps of $3 ties (bought at subway stations and on the street).

[nolegirl]

They expect western teachers to dress like crap. I wore nice skirts and stuff the first week but the staff said I could dress down. I then wore jeans and now I am down to yoga cotton pants and a t-shirt.

The whole Korean staff though wears heels and skirts but I am western therfore I am exempt!!

I work at a hagwon by the way.

I will probably dress up once or twice a week and then the other 3 days dress down. I guess it will depend on my mood and how much I drank the night before!!

[ihateittoo]

thanks everyone.

this has been helpful. I guess it's all very relative and the basic 'use your head' thing seems to work like all else korea so far. I pretty much buy all my clothes from thrift stores now, and I hear those are pretty much non-existent in korea but I can cope...

oh... P/Busan please have shitty bands that I can love.

[losing_touch]

I asked the same question of the teacher I am replacing. I was told that I should wear shorts and a t-shirt! I was also told not to bother bringing a suit. I suppose that this is what I will do.

[SirFink]

[beast]

Wear a pink and green hanbok. They'll love it.