Korean Job Discussion Forums

[willgreen]

I teach three hours and twenty minutes of kindergarden.
Is that crazy.
That mean 2hrs from 10am-12noon, a one hour break, then 1-2:20.

A total of 3hrs and 20minutes of the same class.
Then I have 1hr 20min elementary classes in the evenings.

Is this crazy?

[the_beaver]

Yes.

[crazylemongirl]

[mary_73]

I know that it sometimes feels like it will never end Will. Before I spout off too much I just want to tell you that I'm assuming you haven't been teaching them that long. I could be wrong, and if so, I appologize in advance.

My best advice for you would be to break that time up into manageable sections. I used to teach from 9:50 to 1:00 (12:30 was lunch). Also, be sure that they have some sort of structure (see my and other posts under the thread titled "kindergarten kids" started by jajdude). Three hours of random songs, colouring, and story time can seem like an eternity. Try to make sure that what they are doing has a purpose and there is continuity and progression from activity to activity, day to day, week to week, etc. This is not to say that you cannot throw in a time killer every now and then, but try not to compose the class of time fillers.

With younger kids with less English ability you might break their time up into various play time interspersed with singing and learning times. I used to use puzzles my classes (you can get them at many stationary/book stores, the kids LOVED them, and they would solve the same ones time and again) With older kids you can use fewer strictly play times and also do grammar sections, speaking sections, reading sections, the list goes on.

Hope this helps. I miss my kindy kids!!!

[ishiii]

Is that crazy??
I teach kindergarden from 9:50 till 2:30, with an hour for lunch.
Then from 2:30 till 6:30 with middle school kids, no break.
Consider yourself lucky

[kangnamdragon]

You only teach 4 hours and 40 minutes per day? Why is that crazy? You are lucky. How long would you have to work back home to make the same amount of money. Koreas work 3 times as long.

[willgreen]

I did not make myself clear.
Sorry.
I teach the 3hr and 20min, but i am not finished.
then I have a break and then teach two 1:20 minute classes of EC.

I stay until 7:30 pm everyday.

The whole day lasts from 9am until 7:30pm

[kangnamdragon]

You are still only teaching 6 hours per day. Why is that difficult? Many of us do it. you are getting a good salary and still working less than Korean people.

[captain kirk]

at the school from nine am until 7-30. that's ten and a half hours.

three hours of that are kindergarten, and the same class of kids.

there's an hour and a half of elementary, which is two classes.

that's a bloody aching dog of day, and anyone who says buck up, buddy, is not listening to the guy's pain. so what if 'koreans work harder, longer, for less money'. i've heard that one before. have you noticed that this guy isn't exactly sounding on top of the world about it all? jumping around for three hours with hyperactive tots is not some dream job to be thrilled and overly grateful about. listen to the guy! he's obviously tired of playing pattycake and god knows what else fifteen hours a week for eight months already. it's a miracle he hasn't suffered permanent, irreversible regression by now.

willgreen is a hero, who ought to be retired with full benefits for a bit. maybe thailand! but then again, heros don't complain. so willgreen might, being merely mortal, consider life without the shellshock of being bombarded by tots!

[maxxx_power]

I work with willgreen and the days are complete hell. It's the highest stress job I've ever had, even more so than the military.

Now the owner wants to stretch the days out even LONGER, he calculates "teaching" time to the minute and maximizes the entire day...even having some teachers simply leave class for 10 minutes to avoid paying overtime. Not to mention the excessive paperwork that adds up anywhere from 5-10 extra hours each week.

I'm merely waiting for the next payday to give my notice. Teachers are leaving that school like rats abandoning a sinking ship.

The kindergarteners are fine for the first hour or so, then all hell breaks loose. Everyone is on edge.

Your sympathy is well placed captain.

[Hagwon Muppet]

Well I teach 4 hours of kindy per day with the same class - 10 -12 (LUNCH HOUR) 1-3 and whilst its not always easy to keep the kids happy and under control for that length of time its certainly not the hell job that the OP makes out.

The trick is to have lots of things to do and break up the day into different segments. Also some activities you know that the kids like and will do quietly for a while are good - drawing, colouring and writing practice can all be good ways of spending 30 minutes to allow the kids to calm down and teacher to regroup.

At the end of the day do you actually like kids? If you do then just have fun with them for as long as possible. At this age the kids don't need grammar lessons etc, so just play around and keep them happy. If not, then kindy isnt the place for you. Get out for the sake of the kids and your own sanity.

Personally I find Kindy much less stressful than high school or adult classes because there is less pressure to get results, you don't need to know detailed grammar points and there are no tests/exams etc. All you have to do is keep the rugrats happy and make sure they go back to mommy saying 'xxxx is good teacher. We have fun.'

[Clutch Cargo]

I teach kinergarten full-time. 6 x 40 min classes from 9.30 till 2.50. That's it, day over. Mon - Fri. 4 weeks paid leave + national hols. A little prep before and after school, but still sounds good to me. Plenty of time to do other things. Which reminds me, I must take up a time consuming hobby some day.

[itchy]

[][][]

[willgreen]

I used to do coloring in class. But my boss says I cannot color anymore.
Also, I must stand at all times during class. No games for longer than 5 minutes.

Strange, Actually I am leaving the school in couple more days, so I guess it is all irrelevant.

I got a better job, 2:30pm-8:30pm
6classes, three-40min, two-45min, and one 50min.

"The grass is greener on the other side."

[waterbaby]