Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

Hello,

I'm at the end of my first contract and am looking at other places for the new year. My current contract was for 95 hours a month and I'm a bit over that now with OT.

Right now I teach 8 classes MWF, 7 on Tu and 9 on Thurs (all 40 mins). It adds up to 40 classes a week, 160 a month. But only about 106 total hours.

However, I find this schedule too busy. Most days I only get one 40 min break, and have to teach 7-8 in a row. I'm just dealing with it because, like I said, I'm almost done. I feel like I could be a better teacher if I had less classes (they range from kinder to advanced free talk) and more time to set them up and relax. I meet tachers that teach 5-6 classes a day. I'm not lazy, I just want the opportunity to do a better job.

Just FYI, I'm not looking at public schools for various reasons, just the hagwon trade.

What would you say is the optimal realistic number of classes a day? The day I have 7 I feel good about. I don't want to go into contract negotiations asking too much or too little. 30-35 40mins classes a week (120-140/mo.). Sounds good?

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

I teach 5 - 6 classes a day (M - F). My maximum hours 'attendance' is 8 hours a day.
Some classes are 40 mins, the rest are 50 mins. I am really tired after the only day I teach 6 X 50 min classes. You are teaching a conveyor belt schedule that would kill me - and you eventually - I'm sure.

SeniorEnglish · Joined: 18 Jun 2006

I have pulled some 13, 9, 8, 7, and 6 class days. I think that 6 40 min. classes is pretty good. & is o.k. if you have a break somewhere in the middle. It also depend on what you teach. I could teach 9 listening classes in a row no problem, but speaking 6 classes max definately.
Now, I have 4 50 minute classes, but I would rather have 6 40 minute classes. As for hogwans, it all a matter of luck. Many want teachers to pull some crap 8 hour shifts( 6 classroom hrs). What's with that?

Peter Jackson · Joined: 23 Apr 2006

For a hagwon, I think that 25 classes a week is just about where you want to be. That would be about 5 classes per day. Anymore than 5 is, IMO, too much.

OP, you should be able to find a hagwon where you would teach 4-6 classes a day. You should find one where one class (40-50 mins) counts as one hour. You should get a ten minute break between each class.

These schools that nickel and dime about hours vs classes should be avoided. During a ten minute break, you usually ARE still working, getting copies and/or materials ready for the next class, marking work, etc so this time should be factored in.

To teach back to back classes is just ridiculous and nearly impossible.

Good luck! Very Happy

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

Thanks for the opinions. Obviously there are a range of experiences, but one has to look at the whole picture and try to get what's best. I should clarify that when I say '7-8 classes in a row', really I have 5 min breaks between the last 3-4 (no breaks for kinder). But by the time I even get to my desk there's 3 min left, then organizing and photocopying, etc. Most of the time I don't even get a chance to sit down.

I'm asking this question in part because the other day my boss saw me just observing my kinder kids and not 'actively teaching'. They were writing some things and I let them colour the picture when they were done (5-10 mins). This is on a day where I have kinder 5 in a row and then a 20 min break before 4 young and energetic afternoon classes. I told her that, yeah, I need to stop talking and have the little 'uns busy themselves for a while and if she wants me to be active the whole time she has to give me breaks. She told me my schedule was normal. But I don't think it is. Its fine for now, but I'd like to know what my options are for next year.

Thanks again.

melvaughn · Joined: 11 May 2006

This is my exact schedule so I feel for you. I also teach eight 40 min classes in a row m/w/f and then seven in a row t/th and by the eight class of the day, I feel sorry for the kids, because I can no longer concentrate and I do a lousy job of teaching. I work for an ECC school and the sad thing, is that I have the lowest teaching hours right now of all the teachers. Once I'm 'use' to the schedule, or so the supervisor say's, (I've only been here four weeks) I will be teaching untill 11:00pm, about 10 classes in a row. There is a teacher here whose contract is now ending who at one point, was teaching from 9:00am-11:00pm non-stop!

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

Wow, I work for an ECC, too. In fact, I had a sneak peak at the schedule of the person who is replacing me next month and she's getting ANOTHER MWF class. Its just too much. I've pulled some crazy schedules here during winter and summer camps, but by the end I'm exhausted.

There's lots of extra work at my place, too, so its not just the classes. I actually started refusing some of the extras a few months back so it's not so bad for me anymore, just about 6 hours extra work a week, plus mandatory prep time in the morning.

Oh well, it was still a fun year and now I know better.

Melvaughn: Don't accept any more hours. You're into overtime and you can refuse it (in theory). I feel for you cause I know the company and I know how they can load it up on the teachers (while we get paid lower than at most schools.)