Korean Job Discussion Forums

sarbonn · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Michigan

I don't mean this to be a complaint thread, so I apologize if it comes across as one.

I'm formerly a college professor who decided after picking up another graduate degree that I would take a year or so teaching in Korea. It sounded like a lot of fun (I was here 20 years ago while an officer in the Army), so I kind of went in with all guns blazing, even though I had no idea what I was getting into.

To begin with, I'm a really good college professor. I taught mainly political science and communication courses (I focused specifically on IR for the most part). But I don't think I'm a very good teacher for kids. Sure, the kids like me and tell the other teachers they really like me, but I'm one of those instructors that feels when he's being successful or not, and I teach based on that feeling. I'm not feeling that here. I really feel like I'm just going through the motions, and my instruction feels really flat, almost as if it's just filling a space rather than actually instilling knowledge.

Granted, I'm teaching in a pretty frustrating Hagwon, which I know there will probably be immediate responses to that, but I'll have to admit that the pay is really, really good, and the Hagwon director recruited me because of my advanced degrees and recommendations of previous foreign instructors, so he does go out of his way to make sure that I have no reason to complain. If it wasn't for that, I'd probably be on a plane back to the states or finding some way to get into a university here (which I'm not even sure is possible because of the whole visa thing).

So, I guess the question is have any of you run into the quandary when you feel that you're not an effective teacher here? And what do you do about it? I've tried to interject my own teaching style, but it doesn't seem to work with the kids here, nor is it really appreciated by anyone else (there's very much a "do things this way" approach here, I've noticed).

AussieGav · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Location: Uijeongbu

I feel for you. I have no advice really, but it does sound like you are over qualified to be teaching in a Hagwon.

There is definatly a culture of "do things this way" in Hagwons, I worked in one for two and half years. Dont forget they are business', profit is the number one focus. Sometimes you are better off just yielding to the wishes of the director regarding teaching methods. Despite the fact that you may know a much better way of doing it.

good luck.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

You were a really good college professor in America and came to teach at a hagwon where the pay is 'really, really good'. What alternative universe are you living in? What do they pay 'really good' college professors in the US, $10 / hour? At today's rates my annual salary is about $5,000 / year more than when I was a part-time university teaching assistant in the US.

At any rate, yes, teaching EFL is very different from other subjects and teaching kids is very different from adults. How far into your contract are you? You could stick it out, make some contracts, and then see if you can get a uni gig teaching adults and perhaps teaching content-based EFL.

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

TBH

If you don't feel respected or if you do not feel that you are having an impact, is the money enough to keep you here?

sarbonn · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Michigan

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

You can only switch jobs with no problems with your boss' permission, something that would be awkward at best and could provoke a lot of anger at worst. You should know, though, that 90%+ of hagwons are no place for a professional teacher.

Rebound · Joined: 04 Nov 2008

Most Hakwon work is exactly as you described your hakwon: Going through the motions, not instilling explicit knowledge. You are probably a conversation teacher, and you are there to enhance thier speaking and listening skills. I guess that is a bit like imparting knowledge; call it relexive or communicative knowledge? Its a shame, but if you went to Korea to experience the culture, I am sure you are getting that experience to no end, right? So, just relax and put up with the weak teaching job for a year.

branchsnapper · Joined: 21 Feb 2008

Why would anyone take such trouble to ask this question? Surely a few minutes browsing this board would teach anyone that lots of people in Korea struggle to feel they are doing something worthwhile.

Maybe a self-proclaimed really good professor could steer a conversation in a more enlightening direction, for once?

VanIslander

jadarite · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:35 pm Post subject:

Think of it like the Wizard of Oz. You will pick up some courage, brains, and a heart. Then, you will say, "There is no place like home, there is no place like home."

branchsnapper · Joined: 21 Feb 2008

Where are the hearts at? I think I lost mine in Lotteria or E-mart or somewhere.

sarbonn · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Michigan

sarbonn · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Michigan

aarontendo · Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Location: Daegu-ish

OP calling himself a college professor is like me signing up with the army and calling myself a general.

Having been in both he should see how ridiculous he sounds calling himself that. Any real (PhD) holder coming here to teach at a hakwon has some issues going on at home.

Yes, I would say that coming to a country to work at a private academy where you may or may not get your $1800 a month paid is a mistake.

Girlygirl · Joined: 31 Oct 2008