| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
razfoz010
Joined: 08 Feb 2011
Location: Manchester, UK
|
 Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 3:40 pm Post subject: A few questions for someone considering teaching in Korea. |
 |
|
Hey guys,
Although I'm sure these questions have already been asked at least 100 times the search function of the forum doesn't seem to want to work for me. I'm in the process of applying to teach English in Korea through EPIK starting in August and was just wondering:
- How much work does lesson planning and other school related tasks amount to outside of school hours?
- What is the best recruiter to go through EPIK with? So far I have been recommended to ESLStarter and Korvia.
- As someone with zero teaching experience, do you think that information available in books is enough preperation to teach ESL in Korea?
- And any other advice you could spare for someone to prepare as a first time teacher.
Cheers, and sorry again for the tedious questions. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
PRagic
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 4:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Lesson planning: The more and the better you plan, the better your classroom experience and success. There is usually a learning curve involved, so new teachers spend more time mapping out lessons and preparing content.
Recruiters: Use any and all that may be able to place you.
Information in books: Remember that remarkably unqualified people have been doing this kind of work (and getting better at it as they go) over the years. The ESL teaching market in Korea is mature, and it is not unusual to find people here who have been teaching for upwards of 10 or more years. You'll need to prep, but most of the material you'll need will be in the books. People actualy teaching in public schools can give you better input on this than myself.
Advice in general: Try to come in with an open mind and try to do your job well. Read over some material on culture shock and adjustment in advance so you'll know what you're going through when you're going through it. I think the Peace Corps has a cross cultural training packet that can be downloaded for free.
Don't know if this helps, but there you go. Good luck with it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
oldtactics
Joined: 18 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 4:55 pm Post subject: Re: A few questions for someone considering teaching in Kore |
|
|
| razfoz010 wrote: |
- How much work does lesson planning and other school related tasks amount to outside of school hours?
|
None whatsoever outside of work. You'll have about 15-20 hours a week of office time with nothing to do. The only time you'll be asked to do anything outside of work hours is the occasional teachers dinner. You'll have more than enough time at work to do lesson planning.
As for prep, I'd recommend reading this board and reading about lesson planning online. Besides that, just keep an open mind and remember that you're going into this with a support system already in place if you need it. 90% of us started here with no experience and no training, and we survived mostly unscathed. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 5:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| PRagic wrote: |
| Recruiters: Use any and all that may be able to place you. |
PRagic's post is good except for this. Hagwons, fine, but EPIK is known to reject people who apply through more than one recruiter. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PRagic
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Much appreciated. I've been out of ESL for quite a long time now, and, like I said, I never did teach in the public school system. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bobbybigfoot
Joined: 05 May 2007
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 5:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Some hagwons require virtually no lesson planning. You just follow their books. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
