Korean Job Discussion Forums

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

With only the BA, that sounds like about the best you can hope to do. If you had the MA, then you might angle for decent university gigs. If you had an F-series visa, then you could start up your own study room or just do privates.

Yonsei GSIS is great, but the majors offered won't really help you in the ESL teaching field. If you want to teach, you'd be better off working full time and knocking out a better on-line MA. Just my 2 cents. Good luck whatever you decide.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

OP, I would recommend going to school and getting your master's.

As for your job, I'll take it if you want to leave. I'm serious.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

24 lessons and keeping marks for 200 students sounds like a lot of work, but otherwise I think you've got about the best job you can get with your background.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

You have a good job there.

I'm at a FLHS too, and while you're correct that the students feel a lot of pressure over tests, well, you're just not going to avoid that in Korea.

The plus side is that it's rare to teach kids more motivated for English than those at a FLHS. They usually have a high level of English and classes are split into smaller groups of 15-18, which means you can really teach.

You might actually find that if you move to a Uni you'll be teaching a lower level of English for less pay than you're getting now.

I get paid a bit less than you but get 4 months off per year fully paid. That time off is precious. It keeps one sane and gives great opportunities for getting home or traveling. You probably won't get that at an adult hagwon, as well as nasty split shifts........... You get away at 3:30 everyday!!! A lot of teachers would dream of finishing their day at 3:30! Lot's of time to get stuff done or make extra money privately.

Believe me, you have a good job there. Think carefully before moving........and if you do! I'd take your job too!!!

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Teacher training center

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

I loved my time working at a FLHS. IMO they can be one of the best jobs in Korea. I think mine could have paid me more, but the students are the best you will get in Korea.

Keeping grades for 200 students is hard? Explain how that is hard? How much grades are you doing a semester? I usually had 5~6 things they were graded on a semester. That kept it nice and easy. Remember the names of those 200 students is a much harder task IMO.

24 classes is routine. I did 20 classes when I did FLHS.

3~4 months paid vacation is also awesome.

I can't see why people don't like them. Yes, the students are grade crazy and you have to cater to that. However, go into some of these schools where the kids care nothing for learning English and you have to fight with them all the time. Then you will recognize that FLHS are awesome jobs.

I used to get frustrated that they would want to teach for the test too...but your classroom time is what YOU make it. Make it fun and interesting and the kids will love you for it.