Korean Job Discussion Forums

snarkhunter · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Location: Podunk, Pennsylvania

OK, in about a month, my husband and I will be moving to Bucheon to teach at a hagwon. Despite all the assurances we've received, we're nervous because not only have we never taught English, but we've never taught in a classroom at all. My experience teaching is limited to a couple years w/ 8-12 year-olds in Missionettes (like Girl Scouts, for church). So, can we just hear from those of you who've been in a similar position--little teaching experience, in South Korea for the first time? Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

tomato · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 7:16 pm Post subject:

You are probably better prepared than you think.
If you've worked in a position similar to that of a Girl Scout leader, then you are experienced in informal education.

You might be interested in reading Instead of Education by John Holt. The author of this book calls for more and better Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout troops, karate academies, music studios, art studios, community centers, and any other informal educational institutions.

Throughout the book, he distinguishes between formal and informal educational institutions by spelling "school" with an upper-case or lower-case S.

It's too bad John Holt never came to South Korea. He would be deliriously happy here, because there is some sort of informal educational institution on every corner.

Moreover, he could have borrowed a couple of Korean words for his book. A formal educational institution is a hakkyo (학교) and an informal educational institution is a hagweon (학원).

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

You'll find out soon enough if you're a sinker or a swimmer. Just start off confident and strict. Remember, though, that if you do run into problems this may have more to do with the hogwan than with you - don't automatically blame yourself or get yourself down if you have difficulties.

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

Every teacher has to start somewhere.

I'd agree that your 2 yrs with the 'Missionettes' is probably more experience than any other new teacher coming over has ever had. It sounds as if you are a bit older than the average new teacher coming over, so I would also take this as an advantage. Use your 'pearls of wisdom!' Also, reading up on the latest childrens' ESL theories by gathering books from the bookstore/library and gathering some decent resource activities in advance will help you. For teaching kids here, it's more about being able to entertain the kids and just giving them a fun time in English. If you can entertain and cope with a bit of rowdiness, it shouldn't go wrong.

p.s. You also have to be a bit flexible, as things are also sometimes apt to not be quite what they seem in schools here Wink

Good luck!

Homer · Guest

It is indeed swim or sink here....good luck!

snarkhunter · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Location: Podunk, Pennsylvania

Hey, thanks, everybody! You said just what I was hoping to hear! Very Happy

Thanks, also, for the book recommendation. I just can't wait to get over there and settle into the routine. Thinking about what I've yet to experience is always nerve-wracking! Anyway, I appreciate it, and would love to hear more from people who have anything to share. Thanks again!

chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

It's in progress, but this might help some. http://wiki.galbijim.com/Schools_overview_for_newbs

redlightorchestra · Joined: 16 Jan 2006

routine in korea seems to be no routine at all. My schedule has changed so many times that I am writing on white out, on top of whiteout, on top of whiteout, and it has only been 7 months, It seems that the military phrase SNAFU is pretty standard here. Situation Normal...All F^%ed Up.
So your routine will be, change what you are doing, now change again, time to change, are you comfortable, oh really, here are the new changes.

Flexibility is an asset.