Korean Job Discussion Forums

[midnightpariah]

How many classes do you average a day? What is a "normal" schedule. I'm currently teaching 46 classes a week. They are 35 to 40 minutes each with a 5 minute "break" between classes. I feel like this is too much, but because it falls right under the 30 hours per week of teaching, I don't feel like I can complain.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

In my public school one class (although 40 min.) = one teaching hour.

[War Eagle]

Personally, I teach from 0-2 100 minute classes per day (7 per week). However, I have a feeling you are looking for answers from other kindy hagwon workers.

As you can see, depending on your line of work, most all answers will fall somewhere between your and my answer. There is no "normal" hours worked per week per se.

[modernseoul]

As War Eagle said there is no such thing as normal when it comes to ESL hours in Hagwons. Even Public School differ.

The number of classes you're teaching is high, but the hours aren't so sadly I doubt there is much you can do.

Personally now I teach 20 40min classes a week in at an after school program (often less). But in the past I've taught 7-8 40min classes a day, it really depends on your school.

[No_hite_pls]

July 19- September 3, 24 classes total or an average of four a week, thank God.

after September 3, 16-26 a week, last semester 16-30 a week. All classes are between 40-45 minutes

The weeks were I taught 30, I was really tired since I teach so many different levels and subjects; kindergarten English, grade 1 and 2 English, grade 3,4,5,6 English (all classes use different textbooks), teachers workshop, and grades 7, and 8 middle school general science. I have too many different lesson plans.

[fezmond]

4 x 50 minute classes.

Once did 10 40 & 50 minute classes in a kindy/elementary job 2 years ago, won't ever be doing that again.

I wouldn't ever do more than 6 in a day. Brain goes to mush and doesn't give two hoots towards the end.

I don't know how people can accept jobs from 9.30 - 7.30pm

[ttompatz]

[thegadfly]

Midnightpariah,

Your schedule sucks, and isn't anywhere near normal. 4-6 classes a day would be a "normal" schedule, and anything over 7 classes a day on a constant basis will burn you out wit' a quickness, unless you are quite organized, well-prepped, and know pretty much exactly what you are doing. You are doing 9 or 10 a day.

I am very much against people bailing on their contracts, but even I would say that 46 classes a week in untenable. The problem is, a 30 or 40 minute class is about the same effort and prep as a 60 minute class, but is actually more stress, since you have to try to cover more in less time....

Personally, I would give the required notice if they were not willing or able to alter the schedule. If they changed your schedule to give you 30 class meetings of 1 hour each (to hit your 30 hours), your prep time and stress levels would plummet, your teaching would improve, your morale would rise, and student learning would increase, resulting in better test scores. I would try selling my bosses on revamping the schedule before straight-up quitting, especially if they have been decent or better to you in other ways, but if they won't budge, I would suggest getting out (appropriately, professionally, in the manner detailed in your contract).

You have the deck stacked against being successful in the classroom with the schedule you have. It is setting up you AND your students to fail. Try to change it or try to leave it, but I do not think it would be worth enduring.

Just my opinion. You have my sympathy, and some righteous outrage. Good luck.

[augustine]

Yeah, that sounds horrible. I have 3 max except for Monday, when I now have 4. I was supposed to be out of here 15 minutes ago too, but these idiot twin brothers missed their class so I'm now stuck here until two watching these two fat retard brothers beat each other up. I hate these two twerps and to me this qualifies as a personal lesson so I should get some extra cash, but I'm not, so I ain't teaching. I named them Bill and Ted, hope they realize the meaning behind why I did that one day.

[midnightpariah]

Thanks everyone so much for your responses. My contract is up soon, so I'm going to stick it out. They want me to re-sign for another year, but they are starting a new KG3/4 class that I will have to teach instead of my KG5 that I was teaching. I don't think I can handle teaching a class of 2 year-olds on top of a 9/10 class day.

[Dalton]

Your contract is up soon and you've decide to stick it out. That may be the best thing for you to do.

I've had 6 50 minute classes a day. Each class considered one hour. But then some schools started to count minutes and that meant 8 40 minute classes a day.

I had a school try 20 minute classes and at that point I started to say no. I will not teach more than 8 classes a day regardless of the contract. I will only teach 8 in a situation where there are fewer classes a couple days a week.

Korean hogwons will ask you to do whatever they think they can get away with. It is up to you to say no. You are a westerner with a western work culture. Don't be goofed into 'you're in Korea now BS'.

Remember the first thing you do when you get to Korea is save money not spend it all partying with new friends. After a couple months you will have enough to move on to the many Asian countries that are just as desperate as Korea for western teachers. Be respectful, patient but say no to ridiculous demands.

Koreans honour a verbal agreement with a handshake much more than a vague, opportunistically written contract ( that they probably can't read). Say no, negotiate the verbal deal, don't bluff, be prepared to move on (save money, research other destinations). You will have a much better experience in Korea. Your hogwon and students will benefit too.

[ibeattheborg]

Yep,you know what to do: don't re-sign. This hagwon practice of adding up 30/40 minute classes until they get a total of 30 hours is a tad devious and usually deceptive because it's not mentioned in the contract. Don't forget to tell the incoming teacher this:)

[teacherbunny]

I have 28 min classes a week one 60 minute class and two 90 min classes..with no breaks between kindie classes.. lunchtimes spent with the kids but..one day a week we have a fieldtrip or special day..and my hours are 9-4.30..
I'm not complaining..i get two days were I have no afternoon class..
and to finish at 4.30 is pretty sweet for kindie hagwons..
I am happy not to be doing 9-6 anymore..

[ibeattheborg]

^^ 28 min classes?

[EZE]

Hagwon employee here.

Today is my long day. I go in at 1:00 and leave at 7:30 after teaching four one hour classes. Tomorrow, I'll work from 3:10 until 6:30, teaching three classes. On Friday, I'll work from 3:10 until 5:30 teaching two classes.