Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ands]

I would appreciate some advice.

I've just finished my B.Teaching/B.Arts at uni. As I understand it, given that i don't have an MA, i have little paid teaching experience (but 6 months worth of practical experience as a part of my degree) and i will be trying to set up a job from outside Korea, my options for jobs are limited to hogwans and public schools.

Given my situation, the most obvious places to seek employment would be public elementary schools. However, I have a few unanswered questions about the pros and cons of teaching in a public school as opposed to a hogwan, etc. I totally understand that many of these issues will vary from individual to individual, school to school.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

- What form does teaching in a typical public school take? Do you find that most lessons are of the 'chalk and talk' variety? Is small group, exploratory learning encouraged?

- What is the average number of students per class? I've read that there are up to 40 students per class. How large are the classrooms? Adequate for anything but 'sit down, don't speak unless spoken to, don't stand up until it is time to move'?

- How do you find the behaviour management side of things? Sometimes it's difficult enough trying to persuade a child who speaks EFL to do something they don't necessarily want to, let alone trying to communicate with someone who speaks ESL.

- Do you find it difficult to meet other foreign ESL teachers? Please don't feel that this question indicates a lack of willingness to interact fully within Korean communities.

HOGWANS

- Are there any good hogwans out there? Going on the majority of postings on this board (which i know are probably don't depict an accurate picture), it seems that 9/10 hogwans are more trouble than they are worth. How do you find that ten percent of hogwans that are any good? Is it just luck?

- Is it easier to have a good social life in the beginning (with limited Korean language skills) working at a hogwan which employs other foreign teachers as opposed to a public school where you could be the only foreigner?

KOREAN LANGUAGE

- Given that i am motivated to learn Korean, how long does it take to reach a level of competency that allows you to informally chat with others?

Thanks in advance![/list]

[poet13]

Hello newbie. Sniff sniff....mmm fresh meat.

A qualified teacher. you are more qualified than many of the people here. I think most people who come here also have no experience. You have six months. That's great.
I would not even consider teaching in a hogwan. Go straight to school. What age level do you WANT to teach? Go for that. elementary is up to about western 12 years old. Middle school up to 15 western years. After is high school.
First you have to realize that Koreans, right up until the moment they die, are very immature. Your average western 11 year old has more maturity than a korean 15 year old. (No, I have no statistical proof, just trust me)
Class discipline. I don't know what country you're coming from, but if its the US, you will very likely be in for a shock. I believe compared to many other countries, students here are angels. Yes, there are the exceptions, and I nonw my school is exceptional in the other extreme. Incredibly well-behaved, polite, and conscientous students.
My lessons are inter-active chalk and talk. As many different posters as there are here, you may very well get that many different answers.
Going back to maturity. I think unless you had an exceptional class, that group work would work very well. They tend to immediately lapse in Korean and talk about whatever it is they talk about.
You're well qualified. Don't sell yourself short. Read a couple of the threads about contract negotiations, and what to do when you're considering a school or a program. Above all, (and someone will likely disagree) dont sign up for a hgwan gig.

Ah, Korean language. Bout two weeks if you practise a lot...

[Wrench]

I hate hagwons never again..

Compared to Canada where I use to live thes kids are little maniacs even in public schools.


Learn Korean why? No one wants to hold a conversation with you in Korean any way.. Its all about Englisheee.

[Bibbitybop]

Just a few quick notes, I'm short on time right now.

1. Korean language in 2 weeks? That smile is a hint of deception. You may get some phrases down, but to have a full conversation, it will take some work.

2. Apply for public schools as soon as you can. Some may be hiring now for the beginning of the semester in March. Some will hire between March and April for the August openings. You can go through some recruiters for these, like WorkNplay, since they are contracted by public schools to find qualified teachers.

3. You won't find it hard to meet other people in Seoul, even if you are the only foreign teacher at your school. I can't comment about other cities, but you'll find the ex-pat hangouts anywhere you are.

[poet13]

OP. Yup, sorry about the two weeks. If you can arrive here knowing how to say hello (formally), my name is, i'm from....., you will absolutely blow their minds.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

- What form does teaching in a typical public school take?

Supplimenting the Korean teachers' lesson with a focus on pronunciation, listening, and speaking.

Do you find that most lessons are of the 'chalk and talk' variety?

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this.

Is small group, exploratory learning encouraged?

Not unless it's being encouraged by you.

- What is the average number of students per class?

I've had classes of between 12 and 42.

I've read that there are up to 40 students per class.

It all depends on the school.

How large are the classrooms?

They also vary.

Adequate for anything but 'sit down, don't speak unless spoken to, don't stand up until it is time to move'?

Usually.

- How do you find the behaviour management side of things?

It varies from class to class, but usually, no problem.

Sometimes it's difficult enough trying to persuade a child who speaks EFL to do something they don't necessarily want to, let alone trying to communicate with someone who speaks ESL.

Yes.

- Do you find it difficult to meet other foreign ESL teachers?

No.

Please don't feel that this question indicates a lack of willingness to interact fully within Korean communities.

OK

HOGWANS

- Are there any good hogwans out there?

A few.

Going on the majority of postings on this board (which i know are probably don't depict an accurate picture), it seems that 9/10 hogwans are more trouble than they are worth.

Yes.

How do you find that ten percent of hogwans that are any good?

Knowing the right people and getting numerous confidential references and preferably visiting the place.

Is it just luck?

No, not necessarily.

- Is it easier to have a good social life in the beginning (with limited Korean language skills) working at a hogwan which employs other foreign teachers as opposed to a public school where you could be the only foreigner?

Yes.

KOREAN LANGUAGE

- Given that i am motivated to learn Korean, how long does it take to reach a level of competency that allows you to informally chat with others?


Even if you studied hard every day it would take a long time.

[The Soju Hoju]

Don't even bother with a Hagwon the hours are shite (unless you want to lie in bed all day) and the risks are higher (e.g. getting paid on time, being f---ed over). My middle school position is wonderful, start at 9:10 and finish at 3:30, no weekends, paid on time and this year I've had 87 days days of holidays. Enjoy

[ands]

Thanks everyone for your help! Appreciated getting a few different people's ideas.

Yu_Bum_suk

By 'chalk and talk', i meant that form of teaching where all *learning* is via the chalkboard or the teacher talking (read, yabbering on). I thought that given the sizes of some of the classes, and the potential lack of space in the classroom, this may have been the default teaching method.

Thanks again everyone.

[I-am-me]

Basically, if you want to work for your money...go with public schools. Hagwons are a lot easier if you are lucky enough to find a good one and not a sweatshop type. I am going on 3 years with the same hagwon and I love it. I did a public after school program and really didnt like working with another teacher or having observers come in to watch once in a while. You might just need to try both and see for yourself.

[Adventurer]

I sort of wanted to work for a public school, but I was kind of in a jam with my last hagwon. It went bankrupt, I didn't know the system, was not getting a release letter asap. So, I was using the help of a recruiter recommended by a friend. He placed me in a hagwon. So far, I do like the boss. I will be making about 2.4 million at my hagwon. How much would one generally make at a public school. I am working three Saturdays to make .4 million. My job is relatively easy as it is one-on-one teaching. My next contract will end in January. I plan on going home for about a month after that and return in February, but you say they only hire in March. So, I would miss it again, eh? My current hagwon says I would 600,000 won extra at the end of a next contract if I renew or come back. For those with more experience than me about the financials, what feedback can you give. I have heard good things about the public school system. Is there over time? How much can one generally make? How is the working environment? Do you have to deal witrh same kind of sleeze as often as one deals with in the private sector?

Thanks and Merry Christmas/Joyeux Noel/Buon Natale/Feliz Navidad

[mrsquirrel]

Did you go bankrupt in Korea or your home country?

[Adventurer]

The hagwon went bankrupt not I. My ex-employer did not believe in advertising, because it would cost her some of her coin i.e. money. She had something against money. I tried to warn her behaviour would destroy her business, and I told my Korean colleage what I expected to happen. You are generally better off in a public school or a university if you have a teaching certificate. I think I am in a good hagwon, but I would have preferred to be in a public school. At any rate, I am happy at the current hagwon, but I will be sure to have extra transcripts on hand. Make sure you have extra transcripts and save a lot of your wages.