Korean Job Discussion Forums

[plato's republic]

I'm currently looking for a new job at a Hagwon in Seoul, but I've expressly stated to recruiters that I don't want to teach any more Kindergarten, yet jobs that involve teaching only elementary/middle/high school students seem to be few and far between, which is what I'm looking for.

There are plenty of jobs for teaching adults, which I don't want, and also jobs at CDI/YES Youngdo, again which I don't want. So, does anyone know a recruiter who might specialise in these kind of positions?

Thanks for any help.

[SpedEd]

Jobs that don't require teaching kindies aren't difficult to find. For some reason it seems that you've hit a dry patch...hold out for a bit and you should find plenty of jobs without kindies.
I taught one half-hour kindie class every afternoon at my old hagwon, and it was there that I learned it takes either a K-teacher or a foreign teacher high on meth to control the little rug rats. However, there are foreign teachers that specialize in working with preschool kids, many of whom who are trained before coming over here. As for me, I've turned down many a job that required more than two kindie classes at 40,000/ hr.
Like I mentioned, wait a bit and you should have no trouble finding a school that doesn't have a lot of/any kindie classes. Personally, I think just about anybody can handle one kindie class, but more than this run - don't walk - away from the school.

[oneofthesarahs]

If you teach at a hagwon, there's a fairly good chance that they'll try to shove one or two kindie classes at you.

I've got 3 right now, but I only see each class once a week for 50 minutes. That's much easier to deal with than if you are their primary teacher. I've managed to mostly keep my sanity. MOSTLY.

I only had one kindie class, but my director decided I was better at dealing with the littlest kids than the other native teacher, so she shoved two more on me, as well as giving me other younger classes.

If you can manage to keep them under some semblance of order, they are actually quite cute and you can do fun things with them.

[wylies99]

OP- hold your ground and have it written into your contract. They may even try to get you to teach kindie by offering it as OT. Don't do it.

I agree- teaching kindie is draining as hell- even with "good" kids. They need 10000% attention. Ughhhhhhhh. It'll shorten your life. I'll NEVER do it, again.

[nautilus]

Where did the concept come from- that someone who does not speak Korean is able to smoothly control a class filled with incomprehending 5 yr old dynamos of energy?

I agree, expressly getting the NO Kindie clause written into your contract at the start is a great idea.

OP- why are you keen on a hagwon job? If you expressly want to teach elementary students, get a public school job.

[wylies99]

It makes little sense. The less English they know the harder they are to teach and even control.

[goodgood]

It's totally crazy. Can you imagine what it's like for these little kids with some weird white guy making strange sounds all class, none of which they understand? I'd be jumping out of my seat and running around screaming too.

[jinks]

[luvnpeas]

My public/GEPIK gig doesn't go lower han 4th. Oddly, the opposite principle applies: the younger ones are easier to manage. Fourth grade is pretty fun; 5th and 6th, less so.

In general, with younger kids you need to have clear visual signals for when you want to get attention. And Be the Boss--it is not the time to test out your theoies of cooperative socio-anarchist self-government. Have a system of rewards for good behavior. And manfest love of kids.

I think younger kids are fun, but I've never gone lower than 4th.

[PaperTiger]

Don't like Kindy, huh? Little kids are waaaaay nicer than the older ones. Once they get about 12 they start to get mean. My kids are hella nice...my job rules.

Maybe your main objection is to split shifts?

[plato's republic]

OK, here's the deal, I've been teaching Kindy for the last two years and quite frankly I've had enough of them. Overall it's been a fairly rewarding and even, at times, fun experience though I've now reached my limit as far as teaching the little ones goes. That's why I'm looking for a hagwon job with an afternoon schedule where I can focus on teaching elementary, middle and high school kids. I find that my classes with the older kids, especially the middle school students are much more interesting and stimulating. I've also recently started teaching TOEFL IBT which is a little more challenging than Wake Up or English Playground

The no-kindy clause is certainly a good idea and I will mention that once I find a suitable job. It just seems that every recruiter just wants to throw all their Kindy jobs at you even when you quite cleary tell them that you don't want to teach Kindy. Anyway, I'll keep my eyes and ears peeled. Thanks for the advice.

[Kimchieluver]

worknplay .. call them, get a public school job

[plato's republic]

I think you missed the part where I mentioned I was looking for a job with an 'afternoon schedule'.

[Kimchieluver]

my bad

[Son Deureo!]