Korean Job Discussion Forums

[korea87]

I think that I was rejected by SMOE because I received poor reviews from my co-teachers. They did sign off on a positive recommendation that I had to write. I don't know what to do next. I will apply for GEPIK but I am worried that the same thing will happen. ANy advice will be appreciated. Please know that I have donw my best teaching at this school. But they have complained that some of my assignments have been too hard for the students. Sometimes I have chosen to hard lessons in hopes of challenging of the students. I know that they are smart but sometimes the material does not challenge then enough or the bar is set so low. I dont how many times the teacher will say the students or an individual students say that they cannot do something or it is too hard but after breaking down the work and helping them do it . They got it. I do know that they are upset that I choose not to eat school lunch but instead bring my own.

[Ramen]

[korea87]

The problem is that they did not give me any real guidelines and told me to do what ever. I am starting to use more of the textbook but it has been hard since it is horrible.

[Zulethe]

"Your lesson is too hard"

translation: "We don't like you and instead of telling this to your face we will be critical of everything you do so we can get rid of you"

Not eating with them just sealed your fate.

If they like you, you can do almost anything and you will be renewed.

No secret here.

[oldfatfarang]

Op. Don't worry about SMOE. Believe me, you have missed out on nothing. You could have struck the same nonsense in a SMOE school, too.

Try GEPIK, or a hagwon. Have you considered another country, or another kind of job? TEFL in Korea isn't that fantastic, even if it pays a bit more than TEFL in other countries.

Don't be down hearted. Many westerners here get shafted this way (behind their back), and they all survive. Just think that you're escaping - not being excluded. That will help. Good luck.

[lifeinkorea]

The first time you are rejected, you will ask what you did wrong. After that, it's a filtering mechanism.

If your lessons are good, then you need to push on through as if they matter. If you anticipate rejection because your lessons or homework assignments are too hard, then put that in your cover letter and resume.

Advertise your "failure". You give challenging exercises for the students to engage in. I had an interview with someone last night and they want me to do exactly what you are doing. I have the opposite fear.

Can I really go through a year of teaching difficult lessons and breaking them down? I prefer to start out small, and then I give more. If students still find it easy, then I make it difficult. That's my teaching style.

Not all these jobs are the same, and middle school and up will want more test taking skills than simple conversation stuff you find in elementary school.

Perhaps with your teaching style, you might want to forget the public school system. Find a hagwon in a good location. That will ensure you have students regularly coming. You can dish out all the difficult stuff. As long as the hagwon owner is happy, they won't want to lose you compared to a few students who can't handle the pressure.

In the public school system, you have to satisfy the parents, and if the school tells parents they have a new teacher it brings a "fresh" and "new" feeling in their mind. Telling them that they will hire a teacher already in Korea doesn't seem so appealing to them.

[korea87]

@ LifeinKorea, I started with some easy lessons but found them to be too easy for my students so I decided to make things a little more challenging for them. I also plan to divide my classes up with a co-teacher so I can address the multi levels issue. I also try creative assignments with them and such. But I will continue to do my best. I do know that biggest shortfall is organization and such.

[korea87]

@ oldfatfarang I am looking into Taiwan , China, Japan, and Vietnam to teach in next year.

[bcjinseoul]

Look at it this way: most people at most public schools only get 4 weeks off, which is just two more than a hogwon.

After abad GEPIK high school and some problems I've had with SMOE at my current high school; and both with the minimum 4 weeks off, I can tell you I'm done with public schools in Korea. I'd rather be at a job 4-6 hrs a day with 2 weeks off than get up early, work 8-9 hrs a day for the same pay with only 4 weeks off, after summer and winter camps. Look for afternoon hogwons with short shifts and after school programs. Thats' what I'll be doing if my next job isnt a college gig.

[korea87]

But I am worried that I wont get a job if I keep getting bad reviews from my current school

[bcjinseoul]

Lie about your employment history.

My best friend in Korea has been here about 4 years, and he has to. He got fired from 3-4 hogwons in 3-4 months, got thrown out of Busan public schools for life, got fired from another hogwon, and recently was let go by the gangnam public schools over a visa violation. Guess what? He's still here, working for some public school somewhere near Seoul with 8 weeks vacation (not part of EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE; that's the way to go -- no camps).

Work on the resume and cover letter, blast away to recruiters...also try getting a real nice pic of yourself in formal clothes with a blue background. If it's quality it should be at least $30, but it's worth it. Sells you better than your resume and a cover letter.

If you're in your 20's and paying off debt, stay here till you're done. And if you're debt free, consider investing. Hopefully I'll be done with work when I'm 50 or 60. The younger you start the better.

[Ramen]

[oldfatfarang]

[smartwentcrazy]

[SW]