Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alphalfa]

What's the regulated number of students allowed in any hogwon class? Does anybody have any idea? I was surprised once again to find 17 sixth grade students in one class! I made it clear to the director of the school that I cannot teach that many students in a 45 minute class. The reply I received was 'adjustments in class size will be made at the end of the month.' Is the hogwan in the wrong here in allowing that many students in a class? I never had that many students in any of my previous classes at other hogwans. I let it be known to them I was not happy with this issue.
I must take a stand. My Korean co-workers have said nothing. So typical.
I hate it when hagwon owners take advantage of people like this. Qiutting is not going to solve this issue.

alphalfa

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I would rather be paid 2 million won a month and have my airfare and apartment paid for, rather than $2000 a month back at home and have rent to worry about AND have 28+ students.

[Captain Obvious 2.0]

[eamo]

My perfect class size would be 8-12. Nothing worse than too many or too few students. actually I haven't heard that many complaints from teachers about over-populated classes. I find directors/academic supervisors keep the class numbers low because they want to keep their korean teachers happy. Lower class numbers mean more separate classes which means more work for the korean teachers. I had classes of 30 factory workers in Japan. It went well only because they were motivated adults. Can't imagine more than 15 Korean kids. Too much like work!!!

[Zyzyfer]

It's not an optimal hakwon class size, but there's seriously not much you can do about it. It all reflects back to the hakwon being a business, not a literal school.

I used to have 50-student classes last year.

[alphalfa]

The contract says class sizes will not exceed 14 students. Is this whining to point this out to them? I think not. I was hoping this issue (among many others ) would generate a discussion on regulations and standards hagwans must follow. The feedback that followed was not helpful. It appears hagwans are self regulated with little or no accountability. There
must be regulations upon which all employees can refer to (to) ensure fair working practices.

alphalfa

[Zyzyfer]

http://efl-law.com/

You can take your issue to the Ministry of Labor, as well. But there's little you can expect people to do here when nearly all of us(myself included) have been burned by a hakwon in some manner or another. Usually, the solution is to get out of teaching at a hakwon.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Well, you should have said it was in your contract in your original post.

If you REALLY feel strongly about it..... just take your contract, highlight the part in question, and show your boss.

[kimcheeking]

Stop being a baby, it's not that big of a deal. It's one class, not all of your classes. If you are teaching anywhere, it is not uncommon to have large classes occasionally if not regularily.

Why is it that you can not teach this many students in 45 minutes? could you do it in 60? or 75? The length of time has little to do with it. Your effectiveness may be reduced but teaching, and more importantly learning can be accomplished in that situation.

Just alter your lesson plans and be well prepared. THis si not worth fighting about.

[katydid]

So, you have a surplus of three students. The director said the class size will be adjusted at the end of the month, which is what...11 days? Just try to suck it up until then. It's not a huge overenrollment, where there are 25 students crammed into a room.
You could point out that your contract says you'll teach no more than 14 students, but the way I see it, having more students is better for you in the long run, cause it means your hagwan isn't in any danger of going under.

Just my two cents...