Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bellatore]

Hi, I'm looking for a job in Korea and I'm wondering what the experienced crowd has to say about working for a large school vs. a small one. I'm also thinking about teaching at a university (I do have my MS.). Anyone have any insights on this?

[Ya-ta Boy]

I worked at a tiny high school last year (120 students) and am presently at a medium-sized high school (600) now.

My observations:

a. At the really small high schools you will have smaller class sizes. That's a real advantage--but only up to a point. The classes are still filled with students at all ability levels. At both high schools I was/am farmed out to a middle school for some classes. At the small school my biggest class was 21 and here my smallest class is 35.

In the small school, I saw Grade 1 students 4 times a week and Grade 2 two times a week. Here at the larger school, I see all classes once a week. Grade 1 also has an 'extra class' 5 times a month.

b. Based on only two experiences, I would say that the faculty is closer in the smaller schools. All 15 of us shared one office in the small school and often went out for dinner. The 40 teachers here are divided into 3 offices, on different floors, and I rarely see the teachers not in my office. They never go out together.

c. I don't know what you have in mind when you say 'small'. If you are thinking small town (a couple of thousand people) be prepared for very limited social interaction.

[ttompatz]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Re: public schools, Ya-ta's observations are very true. I work for a medium-sized school of 500 students and have classes ranging from 12-34 students. Class size isn't nearly so important as ability and attitude. I'd much rather have a class of 40 at a good academic school than 10 at a technical high school.

Re: hogwans, small ones are often in financial trouble, whereas larger ones are probably more secure, though they may be in the process of losing students steadily. If you're a first-time you may also prefer to work somewhere with lots of other westerners. I on the other hand personally very thankful I don't have to work with any waygook slobs.