Korean Job Discussion Forums

[itiswhatitis]

When I first arrived in Korea this would have really pissed me off but my idealism has taken a bit of a beating. Having said that I still don't like it.

I just started an after school program in a relatively poor part of Seoul.
The students are often late and doddle in and have little interest.

The only good thing I can say about it is that it's at least better than working at a kindy in Gangnam where I had miserable co-workers and parents constantly breathing down my neck.

It reminds me of working at a second rate hagwon in Daegu. Nobody seems to care.

At least all I have to do to stay out of the doghouse is show up.
I'm trying to think of ways to motivate.

My questions:

Any personal experiences?
Is an after school gig usually like working at a second rate hagwon?
Are people usually not at all anal at after school programs?
Thanks in advance.

[YTMND]

With after school jobs, teachers are finished and the principal is either in their office or also gone. There is no hagwon owner, manager, or front desk.

It's like teaching in a desert. You won't get any support and you won't have any problems.

You should have a co-teacher who feels the same way you do and should work together to plan how you will deliver lessons. I have done both after school jobs with a co-teacher and where the co-teacher taught half while I taught the other half.

You will have 1st and 2nd graders the whole time. It's like a latchkey program for them until mom or dad picks them up.

The 3rd and 4th graders will come late because they had soccer, piano, or taekwondo practice. Others will leave earlier for the same reason and they might have to go to a hagwon because they will also study math or science.

You are caught between the cracks here. There is no uniformity like there is at a public school, and there is no one to answer to like at a hagwon.

The 5th and 6th graders will eventually leave because it's either not cool to stay at school, they want to play with their friends, or their parents want them to study high school math (sometimes these parents can become ridiculous).

You need to decide what you are gaining by working these jobs. Low hours, high pay? Are you developing lessons? Keep a list of the students who regularly come, plan lessons around them. Anyone else that leaves early or just shows up will have to do the best they can. That isn't your problem.

If you think you can change the system you will probably waste more time in the pursuit. Think about yourself first. You can't make other people better until you improve yourself. Use this time to develop a curriculum for elementary school students. Then look for a new school where you can actually use them in a more uniform manner.

[Nolos]

show up. Get paid. Leave.

[Weigookin74]

Unmotivated kids are always a challenge. Are you a boring or unmotivated teacher? Kids pick up on that. It does help to try and fun and outgoing. Also, if the book is on a topic bring some supplimentary items (pictures, props, whatever).

Do dialogue with some funny voices and overacting. If I were doing young elementary, I'd use puppets too. Doesn't work so much as I mostly do middle school.

Otherwise, get paid and leave at 4:30.