Korean Job Discussion Forums

Alias77 · Joined: 28 Aug 2006

I just read through as many of the old stickies as I could find devoted to the "public vs private" concept, but I still have some unanswered questions:

1) Schedules typically read 8:45 - 4:30. If you only teach 22 hours a week, then it doesn't add up. I read that one usually stays at the school even when classes aren't in session. So, what do you do during the non-class time? Are you paid for non-class time as overtime? Is there overtime?

2) Someone mentioned "creating jeong" with the Korean teachers at the public school. What does this mean?

3) Are there typically other foreigners working in the same public school? (I'm aiming for a job in Seoul)

I don't want to ask too many questions at once, so I'll start with these.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Horangi Munshin · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan

1. You might have to actually do some prep for lessons, I check my email and look for more resources. Before lunch I'll be watching a TV show I downloaded.

2. An example of creating jeong would be to accept some of the dinner invitations you will receive.

Yesterday my last class was cancelled so I could play volleyball with the teachers against the new VP's old school. I was worried I might let the team down since the last time I played volleyball was in P.E class in 1990!!

After that we all went to a traditional restaurant in the country for dinner. I got home around 8, I usually get home by 5:30 but participaiting in this will help relations at work somewhat, and I don't mind doing that once in awhile anyway.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

Alias77 · Joined: 28 Aug 2006

Horangi Munshin · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan

Each school is different. I work at two country schools, rolls of 130 and 85 resp. At my main school I teach 3 days a week. I have to keep office hours (8:30 to 4:00), I teach 16 classes a week there. At my second school, (two days a week) I teach 8 classes but only have to turn up for my classes, so today my compulsory hours are 11:10 to around 2:00.

I get overtime if I teach above the contracted number of classes. For me that is 25 per week. I don't work for EPIK.

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

My experience is inline with what the others have posted. I teach in theory an average of seventeen 45 minute periods per week. However, due to holidays, exams, and school special events it is rare that I teach for 5 consecutive days in a week.

Yes, I have to stay at my school during school hours even if I have no classes to teach. As a new teacher I find good use of the time preparing to teach. I still have plenty of time left over so I watch several back episodes of �The Daily Show with Jon Stewart� on most days.

I did the introduction meal at both of my schools (I split my days between an all girl�s and an all boy�s middle school). I occasionally bring in a snack to share with my co-workers. I make a point of taking a break with my co-workers to eat some fruit or other snack that others bring in to be social. I politely take a pass on all other after work activities and no one seems offended.

For me it is a cushy job.

Boodleheimer · Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 6:37 pm Post subject:

yeah, my butt falls asleep some days. so i'm going to start an online masters.

i'm way in the country, so i'm the only foreign teacher. so they forget to tell me things sometimes, though things always work out.

tomorrow is a school-wide "fitness test", so i'll have exactly 0 to do.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

Most of these have been answered, but I'll add my thoughts anyway.

I am physically present at my school from 8:40-4:40. I teach 23 classes that are 40 minutes a piece.

My schedule is:

Mon: 9-12:10, 1:10-1:50pm
Tues & Wes 9-1pm
Thur & Fri 9-12:10

I don't lesson plan that much. Mostly the Korean teachers do it and then I meet with them once a week to go over their plan and make changes.

I'm going to be teaching the teachers from Oct-Dec four days a week for forty minutes (no teacher classes Wednesday). Right now I'm working on lesson plans for those classes. I was able to get the school to agree to treat the hours I teach adult classes seperately from the other classes. Meaning if some of my regular classes are canceled, I still get overtime for the teacher classes.

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

wormholes101 · Joined: 11 Mar 2003

I don't know that Jeong can be summed up in one English word. It's a word that describes a state of relationship and can apply between males, between females and between both.

I would describe it as a close friendship. A easy way to develop this in Korea is by drinking soju and going to karaoke bars.