Korean Job Discussion Forums

[empressz]

I'm starting EPIK in Seoul this fall and was wondering, for the first day, should I bring my laptop or not. I'm not sure whether this will be answered during orientation and I figured better safe than sorry, especially since there are so many ESL teaching veterans here with the experience.

Thanks!

[schwa]

There'll be a pc at your office desk. Most public school classrooms are set up with computers. So short answer, no. Your new colleagues will wonder why you bothered.

[grant gerstners]

I brought my laptop a few days at first but decided I did not need it, and for the most part that has been true. I rarely bring my laptop along to work.

Anything I really need can fit on a storage device for transfer to the school computer.

The school computers are PC. I know a part-time and intermittent teacher who uses a Mac and makes good use of it.

Your experience will tell you what works best for you.

[Milwaukiedave]

I'd say wait until you have a look at where you will be teaching.

[thegadfly]

Will you be making use of a computer on your first day of classes? If so, bring your laptop, but if not, don't bother.

If you need it for your first day, and there is nothing you can use at the school, then you will suffer for it. If you bring it but it is not needed, it is merely a minor inconvenience. I'd rather lug it and not need it than leave it at home and then have to tap dance to cover a hole in my lessons....

Even if there are school computers, sometimes the OS is in Korean, or some programs are the Korean version...so even though my school DOES provide computers, I actually use my own, because I know where everything is, how everything is set up, and can deal with any problems that may crop up...plus, I like the added bit of privacy and autonomy my own computer provide...preferences may vary, of course....

[climber159]

I strongly suggest against bringing your laptop to school until you have first-hand knowledge of have a school-provided computer at your desk. I once worked at a GEPIK school where they assumed I'd just be using my personal laptop in lieu of a school computer. When I stopped bringing in my computer they told me that I should not be at school without a computer and that I should bring my computer in the next day. The next day I told them it was broken and I couldn't afford to buy a new one right now. They had a school-provided computer to me by the end of the day. Sparkling!

[Epik_Teacher]

It depends on the school. I work at 2 schools, one school has a great English Language Room they spent lots of $$ on. I usually stay there most of the day and use their computers. At the other school, I either bring my computer or use the crappy computers in the library the kids use.