Korean Job Discussion Forums

fep · Joined: 06 Jan 2009

I have just been offered a position with S.M.O.E, I have been told I will be the only foregn teacher in the school...sounds a little scary...but posb a really good thing I suppose..is this the norm for pulic schools in Seoul??

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

jcmarsha · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Location: Seoul

I am the first and only foreign teacher in my public school and I am very happy about that. The main thing is that my school is very concerned about my happiness and general comfort, so I am very well taken care of. Also, I have no expectations to live up to. So, even when I think that I am totally slacking off, they compliment me on my hard work and dedication. Cool

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Most if not all public school jobs you will the only teacher at the school
here are some of the advantages and disadvatages

advantages
They will have no one to compare you too. Korean culture is also into ranking. So as the only foreign teacher you will be #1 without having to work at it.

Since you'll probrubaly be their first they won't be saying we want Johny back he was so nice. This can be real hell in a hogwan.

Lots of people will help you out when you first arrive.

Disadvantages

No foreign community.
You will share a staff room where English will be a foreign language.

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

You'll make plenty of friends at orientation unless your a *beep*...I think my facebook page jumped by 60+ friends by the end of it.

It will also be easier to access more of korean culture and meet a wider variety of people....some of the folks I know in Hagwons end up only hanging out with they're co-workers and doing everything with them.

Granted, a decent portion of my PS staff speaks english....some schools have near zero english speakers...which would suck....

Another advantage is your free for after school classes....if you arrive as the second teacher, that guy likely is doing them already depriving you of potential income(300k+ a month).

Chet Wautlands · Joined: 11 Oct 2008

You'll be in Seoul. You'll make friends. If you were rural it would be a lot more scary.

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

been there done that.

it sucked, big time.

after that I made sure NEVER EVER again would I be the only NET in my school.

so far, so good. some real jerks I've worked with but at least they speak E!! Laughing

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

cruisemonkey · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:14 am Post subject:

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I spent about 6 1/2 years being the only foreigner around. I didn't find it to be a particular problem. I enjoyed it, most of the time. I didn't find it to be any different in a rural or urban location.

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

We actually have two new NET coming to join us for the after school program....They'll be in the same office space as us...

You'd think I'd be excited, but quite frankly, I'm worried I'll get two weirdo waegooks who are gonna ruin the Andy Ricther/Conan O'brien relationship I have with my Co-teacher.

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

cruisemonkey · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:15 am Post subject:

I worked in a public institution with several other FTs (5-9) and a high turnover. I made some good friends and it was good for the social life. However, there was always some new idiot/weirdo with grandiose ideas to 'screw things up' just when they were running smoothly. The workload and FT's responsibilities kept increasing because of some new moron who'd open their mouth and start making suggestions on their first or second day in an attempt to curry favor with the Ks.