Korean Job Discussion Forums

Intrepid · Joined: 13 May 2004 Location: Yongin

When I arrived at my first hagwon I had a week observing and co-teaching with several of the more experienced teachers. It wasn't the greatest formation, but as I'd never taught (or heard of) "con" before, it was useful.
What training did you get?

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

darkpoet · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Location: Korea

Not so much training as it is "watch these teachers for a bit today. You start tomorrow." Which is better than nothing, I suppose but I really think every school ought to give each teacher a week PAID to study their methods and textbooks and at least a day working under the supervision of an experienced teacher... bloody unlikely in this teacher-starved country.

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

Are you kidding?

My first teaching job, the assistant manager brought me straight into a classroom and told me, "Your first class will be here in a few minutes. Go easy on them." (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

That was it.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I got in on Friday night at like 2230 with no luggage, it had been lost. So all I had was the shirt on my back, the shorts I was wearing, and a couple changes of underwear and socks in my carry-on. Saturday afternoon, I was told to look around the city and get over the jet lag. Sunday I was taken to the school to see where it was, but not told how to get there on my own. At the hagwon I was shown the class schedule, books, class lists, and classrooms. I was then told to teach on Monday.

Needless to say, I was the 3rd Foreigner to go through there in a bout 6 months. I lasted 3 before I left.

KPRROK

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

I was the first foreign teacher at my hagwon. No curriculum, no books...just "go and teach English." Whew!! I survived!

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

I was given a book and said, "Make materials. You teachee Englishee."

Surprised

Paula May · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: Daejon

My first school I got to observe for about a week, by that time I was really bored (I mean, really, how exciting is it to sit through endless classes of phonics?) but the foriegn teachers were really helpful in showing me the ropes, the textbooks, what was expected etc. I learned more from the way the school worked from my fellow Canadians then I did from the Koreans during the first two months! Shocked

The school that I am at now, I had two days of observation, and then two days of just coming into the school and looking at the textbooks to prepare for the classes. Then, we had some time off because I came right when they had their summer vacation (about 5 days in August) so basically this year I was in Korea for about 2 weeks before I actually had to step in front of a classroom and do any official teaching! Very Happy

I've heard many a story though of people being pulled in and teaching pretty much right off the airplane . . . . .

skindleshanks · Joined: 10 May 2004

My first job at Wonderland I got 2 days unpaid, but one of my coworkers arrived on a 30+ hour trip from Halifax in the morning, and were teaching that afternoon!

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

As most others have said above nest to zero.

I got there on Sunday,
Watched 5 classes on a Monday
Tuesday i was going at it.