Korean Job Discussion Forums

[proustme]

Currently I teach middle school students. I got a job interview at an elementary school that is really interested in me, but I don't know what I should expect teaching at this level.

I'm assuming:
- Students would be more enthusiastic, more rambunctious.
- Lessons would be far more rudimentary.
- Lots of basic English vocabulary building.
- I would teach a wider variety of different level students even in the same grade. More stress?

As far job conditions are concerned:
- Leave work earlier (what time do elementary schools start and get out? 8:30am and 3pm?)
- Have fewer after school classes (is this true? are there any?)

I have a CELTA and two years of teaching only middle school students.

[louiloui]

I assume you are talking about public school. Everything largely depends on your coteacher and principal. Lessons are extremely basic, and most students are incapable of anything even remotely complicated. Not because of their English level, but because they are little kids.

However, hours are not different. You will be working 8 hour days. After school classes will largely depend on your school. You can potentially make good money with them, but make sure you ask about that before hand.

[some waygug-in]

Dream on. I suppose it depends on where the school is located, but if it's an EPIK school, you'll likely have to stay till 4:30 everyday.

It also will depend a lot on your co-teacher. If she/he is more progressive minded, perhaps they will let you actually teach something.
Otherwise they will have you stand at the side while they natter on in Korean and then have you chime in for about 5 mins/ class.

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

The younger kids are fine, they are enthusiastic (mostly) and will pay attention. Don't even get me started on the 6th graders though...

[partymop]

I hear that. 6th grade is the worst. Honestly, I've never taught in a middle school public system but I taught middle school and elementary in a hagwon and middle schoolers were terrible. Grade 6 is getting into the middle school "too cool for school" territory. They can be pretty bad.

I find the youngest are the best. Sure their rowdy. But they nice, their fun, and they can usually be controlled (im talking grade 2-3, not 1).

In terms of the quality of lessons, its crap. I work at a Gangnam school which I assume the kids are generally more advanced than your average Korean public school, but its still pretty basic. I tried to put my CELTA into practice at first but its useless here. These kids have no attention spans and most of them just generally could care less about English class. I don't know about middle or high school but I assume they take it a little more seriously because their getting into test territory. In elementary, kids just want to goof off and yell out "game". I'd say go to elementary for the complete absence of performance pressure but be willing to forfeit the last semblance of professional development a public school job can provide

[Michelle]

More fun for sure and you need a USB full of fun songs as simple as possible..some are online here...

[Xuanzang]

The class I just had is the worst. 3-3. Full of kids with potential or daily occurring ADHD. One kid was flying his pencil case like an airplane. Another kids thought he was an airplane. I feel sorry for the third grade kids that actually want to learn. Some classes just don't want to learn no matter how fun the activity is. Songs, games - nothing works. Imagine if they actually had to do real assignments and worksheets every day.

Most of the time the class' behaviour is a damning indictment of their homeroom teacher. If they are apathetic and lethargic then the kids will usually be out of control. If they keep a firm hand then there's a chance they'll be normal students. Good luck with your PS elementary school adventure.

[JBomb]

I have little trouble with the grade 6's. You just have to keep it interesting for them. A lot of my lessons are interactive and they have worked a bit. The odd they are little brats, but so can the other grades. I find each year has one bad class where they seem to put all the trouble makers together. Makes it interesting. But the co-teachers really make a difference, both of them had poor levels of English, one has improved greatly the other has not really at all. Although I can not complain too much. Most of the day I spend sitting around at my desk reading, messing around on the internet, watching videos, or today I staged a mock World Cup 2010 draw! Good times.

[gillod]

[wallythewhale]

4th graders are definitely the plus side in PS Elem. schools IMHO. They don't know much, but they are also the most willing and will try something new everytime. Like the other posters said, 6th graders are a pain. They don't really care for English, but as long as they don't disturb the class (i.e. sleeping, quiet, etc.) I could care less. My main focus is on the ones who do want to get involved. You only have a year with these guys...why not make the best out of the ones who actually want to learn?

I have friends at middle and high schools and I heard that you have to do these things call Lesson Plans? Hmmm. LOL. At my school, I barely do any lesson planning...mostly improvising on the KT's lesson plans. They go by the book and the KTs do the lesson plan. I just get up whenever they tell me to and ask the students to repeat words/phrases as necessary. Heck, I even mess around with the students while the KT is teaching cuz I get so bored at times. It's a gig and I love what I do. What more can you ask for when you get paid fairly well to speak less than 5 mins per class?

Hours: 8:30-4:30.

The rest is up to you.

[Grantasmagoria]

It all depends on your school. I used to teach at two schools. At one school I had both nightmare, hellspawn 6th graders and then the next year some of my favorite, most polite, respectful 6th grade classes and students ever. Right now, my 3rd graders are angels. It also helps that my co-teacher cracks her whip at the slightest hint of acting out. To the students' credit, the odd time I have taught them alone they were still amazing. They keep each other in check and they actually try. Effort seems to get rarer and rarer the older they get but I suppose that's true everywhere and in every school.

[thomas pars]

a meaningless waste of time. good luck.

[Grantasmagoria]

[winterfall]