Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ThomasR]

Ok so I wanted to get the advice of some veterans. Im about to start my hunt. Ive been looking into coming to Korea for over a year now and I think I want to leave this summer. But I have heard some horror stories. Im pretty flexible but there are some things that I require and Im wondering if it would be ok for me to demand these things. Let me know what you think...

My Qualifications:
-My degree is in Theater
-I started tutoring in HS for Theater, Music and History
-I have been professionally teaching (no credential however) Theater and Music for about a year now
-Ive tutored in various places throughout the years both professionally and not

My desires:
-My own apartment (size doesn't really matter... I would like it to be modern and clean and in a big apartment building. No idea why I want it to be in a big building)
-Be placed in Gwangju (the southern one)
-I would like to teach students 14+ preferably but no younger then 12
-No weekend work if possible

I dont care what hours I work. I dont care if its PS or a Hagwon. I wound like to make at least 2.1 but more would be nice. I have a pretty simplistic lifestyle (my American bedroom has all my stuff, which is namely a blow up matteress and a laptop)

So what do you think my chances are of getting what I want? Am I asking to much?

[Jammer113]

I think your only problem will be finding a place in a modern, clean, big apartment building. Those places cost more money. I don't know anything about Gwangju, specifically.

I think for talking about a house, maybe an 'officetel' would be best. Throw around that word a bit. You have 'villa' 'officetel' 'Apatuh (아파트 short for apartment)' and various other names of living places. While there may be a little overlap in naming, officetels are basically small studios, usually in larger, more modern buildings compared to villas. Apatuhs are more modern highrise apartments, and they're going to be out of your school's price range.

Lots of hogwons are for young kids, and the ones for older people can often be split shifts. Your best bet is to go for public highschool.

I'm not a veteran, really, though, and I don't know anything about Gwangju specifically, so ask a lot of people. Don't be afraid to turn down the first job that comes your way.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

If you want to teach students 12+ get a job at a public secondary school, as very few hagwon jobs are teaching exclusively 12+.

[soviet_man]

Two points:

* Don't be afraid of teaching younger kids. Give me a room full of bubbly 2nd graders over a room of zombie middle-schoolers any day.

* Don't be fixed on Gwangju either. Have two or three choices. It will keep your options more open.

[ThomasR]

The reason I want Gwangju is because my high school music teacher is teaching in Gwangju and I would know somebody. Im not necessarily fixed on it. I would take a position in Seoul or another big city, but I either want to be in a big city or near someone I know. So Im not fixed on that location. As far as teaching younger kids goes, in my class right now (its a acting class) I have kids in range from 8 years old to 19 years old, so Im used to teaching younger kids. I just like the learning level of older kids but the more I research and the more I read the more I realize that I wont necessarily get smarter kids with older kids. So I dont know. Those are just what Im thinking. If I cant get those things that I want, Ill still come over. I plan on spending at least 3 years there, maybe more depending. Im very excited.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[losing_touch]

Have fun!

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=36762

[agoodmouse]

The days are listed in reverse order in that ad

[losing_touch]

[Robot_Teacher]

I think you'll do great as you're musically and thespian inclined. This job is for edutainers! I sing, mime, and act every day which goes over quite well. Being a monotoneous professor or sounding like a documentary doesn't work. Showing facinating documentaries won't work either, but showing Bugs the bunny works wonders beyond your wildest dreams as a student reward if not playing an end of class game such as hangman, uh, I mean hangbot.

Best of luck to you.

[Toon Army]

[ThomasR]

I appreciate the kind comments. The reason I got hired at my current job was my inclination for the creative teaching methods. I usually do my lesson plans based on interesting things, like we had a whole week dedicated to Freddie Mercury and spent the whole time watching Queen concerts and things like that, yet still managed to learn the core topic I was trying to teach. I love finding new ways to get the kids interested.

Also, Ill consider asking for more money. Well, I have considered it and will. Going to Korea isn't necessary for me, its just something I want to do very badly. I guess I can hold out for the best possible situation.

Thanks again for the responses everyone!