Korean Job Discussion Forums

[global_zen]

By the end of the year I will have completed one year in an elementary school in Seoul.

I am wondering what to do next year, I guess it is one of the following;
sign up for another year at this school
look at going into the lottery of applying for another school
try a hagwon
just go home and look for a "proper" job.

I am especially interested to know from SMOE teachers what percentage get to teach in the same classroom every lesson.


I have an F2 visa.

Cons;

No permanent English room - My school has an English teaching room but I have no access to it (that is reserved for Korean English teachers). I am relegated to the nomadic wondering about different classrooms style of teaching which to be honest I really don't like.

Too many students - I have to teach grades 3 - 6 which means I only see each student once a week which is pretty hopeless. (that's about 600 students to deal with in one week of teaching .. 840 mins)

No materials - For grades 5 - 6 I am not allowed to teach the curriculum (that is for Korean English teachers). I have NO materials or books from the school - I am supposed to "get materials from the internet". There are basically no books at all for lesson ideas or materials for grades 5 - 6. At least I can teach the textbook to grades 3 - 4.

Little useful coteacher support - Little to no support from Korean co teachers (they provide zero input into the class). Many coteachers do not speak enough English to be useful, so I basically plan the lessons to work without any help from the co teacher.

Other normal problems - don't get told things until the last minute (or not at all) etc.


Pros;

Kids - they are all really nice students - very polite both at work and when I see them on the street.

Principle - He means well enough and tries hard to communicate with me.

Co-ordinator - nice person and good communicator.

Good staff room.

Easy Job - let's face it, teaching here in Korea is pretty easy compared to any serious job back home.


So what do you guys think I should do?

[OculisOrbis]

'Better the devil you know than the devil you don't'

If youre not set on going home, I suggest you re-sign with school. Hagwon conditions may sometimes be better in terms of number of students, but the risk of unreasonable demands, problems with taxes, insurance, and salary payment are much more likely.

It doesn't sound like there are many problems other than you have to create your own material. After this year, you should have a pretty good collection of lessons that you have already made. Focus on improving what you have and look for better ideas to implement. There should be plenty of time in your daily schedule to do that.

As for the issue of the nomadic wandering, just make the use of the English room a condition of your renewing for a second year. Present your reasoning and try to convince them that it just makes more sense and would benefit the students.