Korean Job Discussion Forums

[love2teach]

Hi. I'm thinking of applying for SMOE next year and I have a couple questions.

First, I'm presently doing a school course online so I wanted to choose a position (elementary, middle, high) that would allow me the most possible time to do that. I was told that elementary would be the best bet, is that true?
Second, in elementary school, do all SMOE schools have a planned curriculum that the foreign teachers follow? Would a lot of planning for classes be necessary in elementary?
Third, if I do decide to do extra classes to make extra money in an elementary school, does a co-teacher stay with me in these classes (because the kids are young)?
Last question, is it normal in SMOE elementary schools to teach the entire class solo, about how much time Korean co-teacher/foreign teacher is it?

Thank you!

[KYC]

1) I don't know. I would think middle or high school would be better since middle schoolers and high schoolers have canceled classes due to exam quite frequent. I teach elementary and there are canceled classes, but I teach 22 classes most of the time.

2) Yes there's a planned curriculum for you to follow. In regards to following it or supplementing it, it depends on your coteacher (s). I have 3 and one follows the curriculum to a T. The second lets me do whatever I want, and the other does whatever she wants and she doesn't follow the curriculum much. The curriculum is kind of cut and dry...kinda boring, it helps to supplement it.

3) If extra classes are offered at your school, a coteacher may or may not be present with you. I know some teachers with SMOE have a coteacher or a Korean teacher present during their afterschool programs. I teach mine alone. Most of the students are really low level and they have difficulty understanding me sometimes, but I get by.

4) totally depends on how your coteacher (s) is/are. I'm a human tape recorder for the 3rd and 4th graders. With my 5th, I do most of the teaching and my coteacher disciplines and translates. With my old 6th grade coteacher, she does most of the teacher while I watch. With my new 6th coteacher, I teach and she disciplines.

[egrog1717]