Korean Job Discussion Forums

[balzor]

so after a year at a poorly run hagwon(nice people tho), I am going to be teaching with SMOE this year. I am a certified teacher so its not gonna be a shock or anything, but what should I look for? What should I expect?

P.S. I don't know where I'll be at yet

[Hightop]

[Mr. BlackCat]

I went from hogwan to SMOE, and here's what stands out as different (though every situation is unique, of course):

-Much larger classes, though less responsible for them. For example, I don't have to know the kids names (though I try, but I have over 700/wk, so it's not really possible). The flip side of this is less autonomy in your classes. You have co-teachers and many of them are old-school or might expect you to be a human tape recorder. Mine are pretty good, but often resist any 'new' (for Korea) teaching methods, ie group work or creative expression.

-Less lessons per week, more repetition. I have 3 different lessons any given week and I do each one 7 times. Unlike in a hogwan where I had 6-8 different lessons A DAY, this gives you the opportunity to create meaningful lessons. However, the level is much lower so by the 4th time of running through "I like apples" you can imagine it gets pretty boring.

-As I've stated, you just have so many students and you only see them 40 mins a week (or less). You simply cannot get to know them like you do in a hogwan.

-Your days are probably going to be much easier, at least at first. If you're going to elementary, you'll likely be done teaching by lunch, or maybe have one more class after. Hours of sitting at your desk in the afternoon trying to look busy enough. You might have the opportunity to teach extra classes at this time, but that's up to your school and it's a whole other subject that could take hours to discuss.

-More professionalism, less leeway. Most hogwans run by the seat of their pants, which usually means chaos but also that you can tweak things and get things to suit you. In PS, it's all from above and you have little/no say. However, it's all laid out for you so at least you know what's going on. For me, this really helped in relieving stress. While the culture of last minuteness is still there, no one will be chasing you down as you leave the building because they just decided to give the kids one more class and you have to do it, for example.

-Much more time off. Not just official vacation days, but cancelled classes and early days sometimes for the hell of it (once a month there's a development day for each department at my school, which usually means we see a movie and eat dinner. Or just say we do and go home). Random days off at the principal's whim, as well. Some people get 'hidden' time off, but they're cracking down on that so I wouldn't count on it.

-You're the only foreigner in the school, and even though I'm in Seoul I was the first one many of the teachers and most of the students had ever interacted with. This can be ok, but enough about the benefits of kimchi already. I don't get lonely at work, but I do sometimes wish there were at least people sort of like me to communicate with. I'm a late 20s single guy, but there are only 4 male teachers in our school, only one below 35 and he's married with kids. Luckily my co-teachers are nice enough to chat with.

-Along with above, there are tons of politics swirling around the PSs and you're part of it whether you like it or not. Some teachers might resent you, some might see you as free English lessons, most will want to know your every move, a few will ignore your existance. There's a game you have to play to maintain your harmony. Smile, say hello and bow your butt off. Fruits should be bought weekly, thanks given for every little help, etc. For example I actually really like short track speed skating and the only team better than Canada is Korea. I bring it up every time there's a race and compliment the Korean skaters, rambling off their names and statistics. I think they appreciate the fact that I sincerely care about something they find very Korean. Or not, I don't care, I just want to talk sports with someone. Anyone. You do NOT want to be on the outside looking in at a PS. You have absolutely no recourse, not even someone else to gossip with.

There's probably more that others can throw in. I personally would never go back to a hogwan after PS, even with all the BS and politics. Except for the hours. I love working aft/eves as opposed to mornings. Other than that, it's pretty sweet all things considered. But alot depends on your principal and co-teachers. I really like my job and co-teachers, but the new administrtaion at my school can kiss my buttocks.

[Murakano]

[Satchel Paige]

[sheba]

[Mr. BlackCat]