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gporumbe
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Location: FLorida
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 Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:37 pm Post subject: Planning to be in Seoul In Sept, need adive PLLSSSSS |
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Hi,
I am currently in contact with Mike from E & A Partners (www.esl4asian.com) and I am reading up on what to expect when I arrive. However everything I read is completely negative and very distressing, my question is how can I assure myself of the great oppurtunity this is and not a disaster like many others have had?
Please anyone some advice...
Thanks |
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sonshine20
Joined: 17 Nov 2005
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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It is whatever you make of it. Come prepared to be flexible, expect it to be an adventure (challenges included!), and decide to have a positive attitude. You'll have a good time. And avoid jaded foreigners!  |
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gporumbe
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Location: FLorida
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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| yeah I think that really helps too, I was so excited about this but I began reading up on other people's experiances and they seemed mostly bad... are people having good expreiances there as well, it seems like the positive experiance there is merely an occasional exception rather than the rule. please feel free to share!! |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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A hagwon relationship can be a downward spiral if each side goes in thinking the other guy is out to rip him off. Korean bosses have had runners, foreign teachers have had bad bosses or have heard about bad situations. The smallest thing starts one side acting defensive, which causes the other side to act in a defensive manner, which just confirms for the other side his assumptions were true and causes him to take steps to protect himself, which is then clear evidence to the other guy of the truth of his assumptions...
My golden rule is don't attribute to malice what can be explained by simple and pervasive bad Korean planning abilities.
You need a sense of humor and an ability to be flexible. You also need enough cash on hand for a ticket home... |
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gporumbe
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Location: FLorida
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| What is the typical experiance had by esl teachers in South Korea from the time they prepare to leave to the termination of their contract? |
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canuck in Ansan
Joined: 27 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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I'll let you know in 3 weeks! =/ Let's hope good!
I'm finished July 13th, so far so good...got paid yesterday, my boss is going to pick up my plane ticket today, and I haven't seen any devious looks from anyone, so I expect everything to go off with little trouble. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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| gporumbe wrote: |
| What is the typical experiance had by esl teachers in South Korea from the time they prepare to leave to the termination of their contract? |
If you do your homework BEFORE you sign on the dotted line the chance of you having a good - great experience is about 85%.
If you DON'T check, don't do your homework and take the first shit job that comes down the pipe with a prepaid airticket then you have a 70% chance to get screwed.
I have been at it here for 5 years now. I have NOT had the support of a Korean wife or girlfriend. I have only had ONE bad hakwon and it lasted for a total of 4 days before I said NO and left. I have had 4 EXCELLENT positions and have for the most part enjoyed my time here, the friends I have made and the travels throughout Asia on my vacations.
It is what you make of it. This is NOT the litigious states of America. If you stand on your contract alone and don't make a good connection with your boss (public/private or hakwon) then you will have a rough year.
If you have good interpersonal skills and can relate well and adapt to other people, places and things then you will do well. If your interpersonal skills are a bit lacking... then teaching in Korea is probably not the best option for you.
Like anything, it is a matter of give and take. Knowing when to give and knowing when to pitch the battle is something that most people learn by experience. The concept of 우리 ( we/us ) is something that most westerners don't do well with. We are a culture of "I/me". If you can figure it out, you can have a GREAT time here. |
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Hotpants
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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Something about the name of the recruiting agency rang alarm bells - check Dave's warning about a particular recruiter at the top of the Japan Job Discussion Board - make sure it's not the same one!
Yeah, there is a lot of negativity here, but that's what these internet forums are largely for - a place to grumble! No one has an absolutely perfect job, and invariably you will always hear people talking more about the bad points rather than the good. In my opinion, I think Korea is full of so-so to not very good jobs, but there are some positions which are really good and would make you want to re-sign for a new contract.
If you are considering any school and have any doubts about the legitimacy of the place, the number one rule is always to insist speaking to a current teacher at the school. |
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SirFink
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:26 am Post subject: Re: Planning to be in Seoul In Sept, need adive PLLSSSSS |
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| gporumbe wrote: |
| how can I assure myself of the great oppurtunity this is and not a disaster like many others have had? |
Be realistic about what you're getting yourself into. Korea is a decent place to come to make money and get some teaching experience. Teaching kids can be fun and you might have some fun on your days off.
If you come here expecting some great adventure you might be disappointed. You're not joining the Peace Corps and you're not coming to some exotic, far-Eastern land of mystery and intrigue. You're coming to a country this is heavily Westernized, modernized and sanitized -- okay not so sanitized. Keep a level head and be realistic about it and you'll do fine. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 1:52 am Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| gporumbe wrote: |
| What is the typical experiance had by esl teachers in South Korea from the time they prepare to leave to the termination of their contract? |
If you do your homework BEFORE you sign on the dotted line the chance of you having a good - great experience is about 85%.
If you DON'T check, don't do your homework and take the first *beep* job that comes down the pipe with a prepaid airticket then you have a 70% chance to get screwed.
I have been at it here for 5 years now. I have NOT had the support of a Korean wife or girlfriend. I have only had ONE bad hakwon and it lasted for a total of 4 days before I said NO and left. I have had 4 EXCELLENT positions and have for the most part enjoyed my time here, the friends I have made and the travels throughout Asia on my vacations.
It is what you make of it. This is NOT the litigious states of America. If you stand on your contract alone and don't make a good connection with your boss (public/private or hakwon) then you will have a rough year.
If you have good interpersonal skills and can relate well and adapt to other people, places and things then you will do well. If your interpersonal skills are a bit lacking... then teaching in Korea is probably not the best option for you.
Like anything, it is a matter of give and take. Knowing when to give and knowing when to pitch the battle is something that most people learn by experience. The concept of 우리 ( we/us ) is something that most westerners don't do well with. We are a culture of "I/me". If you can figure it out, you can have a GREAT time here. |
Dead on. 100% accurate. If only more posters would think and act like this.... |
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JLarter
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 4:17 am Post subject: |
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I feel the biggest problem is that people expect it to be like home.
Just look at the number of people who talk about Costco, trying to find bagels,etc.
You have to remember that you are a guest in Korea, not the other way round. It is up to you to change your ways to fit in. Don't expect to come to Korea and eat/do the same things as at home.
Most of the complaining here is done by people who aren't open to other cultures. |
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