Korean Job Discussion Forums

jewelz · Joined: 25 Sep 2006

Well, I am very relieved that I can say goodbye forever to my miserable hagwon life. I will never go back and some swear by them, but not for me. I like some degree of professionalism in my job. I like being taxed the legal amount, I like that I can count on my classes not being switched around on an almosty daily basis. I will be working in the public school sytem employed by a university and no job is perfect, but at least I will be part on of an organisation that is'nt run like a circus sideshow with a micromanager boss !

Marsliz · Joined: 04 Feb 2007 Location: Osan, Korea

Hi
I am also coming to the end of my contract ad have hated the hagwan system and lack of respect. And them listening to the kids more then me!!
I guess I'm too late for a uni position, but do you think public schools are much better? I wonder where you found your job and ensured that it'd be a better experience this time?
I am sure that I can make this year much better, but am worried about stumbling in a rut again. Can you help me??
Lost Liz

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

spyro25 · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

While i have a uni job that starts in a few weeks, it can definitely be called a 'unigwon' position. Sure I get the holidays and low hours, and it is part of the university campus, but I only have ONE class of adults!

So for me, the jury is out on whether this position is going to be any better than a hagwon position or not, and I think many of the people who accepted 'university' jobs this year are in the same boat as me, as is the OP who isnt actually working AT a uni, but FOR a uni. I think this year could well be 'the year of the unigwon' as the next big discussion point on Dave's. How many people who work at Universities aren't actually on the undergrad/postgrad programme at their uni this year, and are working for their unigwon instead?

I'm sure I won't have this problem next year after my graduation and family visa roll around but I do think that even though I have a 'uni' job, this won't be the year I can finally say 'goodbye' to all the **** that goes with a hagwon position. I would warn the OP to feel the same too.

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

A bunch of universities are now doing what Jewelz's uni is doing. Hiring public school teachers for the local schools.

That also might be a big thing in the future.

spyro25 · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

A big thing for the future for sure, but I would say that for the universities there is a big difference between looking after the teachers on their undergrad program and looking after the teachers that the universities had 'recruited' for schools. Could be like EPIK/GEPIK all over again?

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

Uhhh, I have bad news......

spyro25 · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

[waiting]

The Hammer

jewelz · Joined: 25 Sep 2006

I have already done camps in public schools, sure there may be a slight change in the schedule or one or two things you did'ny expect. At least your classroom will not have children that blow your ear drums out, using violence and threats against the teacher while your damn director sits back and lets it all go on bc she does'nt want to lose money. Furthermore, you are'nt blamed if a child leaves the school and told to do this and that all the time for a bunch of nitwits who are blatantly racist and complete jerks in my opinion. SO YOU CAN NOT TELL ME I AM IN FORA BIG SURPRISE... I already had a bunch of surprises that is why I left the damn place. Oh did I forget to mention how they withheld me and my daughter's passprts and degree until I screamed at them to give it back ! I am also out thousands of dollars. I am going to outline this rant again as I did a while back. I will be posting warnings on my thread about this school after MArch 1 and I would like my recruiter to go to hell too.

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

OooooOOoooooH!!

Teacha angry!

jewelz · Joined: 25 Sep 2006

haha. LOL I am actually a very easy going person and in light of it all it was funny. I just do not like petulant comments when I think I have seen some of the worst of Korea's working life as a teacher...

spyro25 · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

You will still have moments of utter disbelief that some things are happening the way they are at a government run public school. You will still often question your co-teacher on "Why the fawk didn't you tell me this" kinda stuff. However, in general you will most like be much happier.

Oh, and out of the 25 - 40 students in a class there will still be some snot nosed kid that you will wish never came to class or would just go to sleep.

Toast and Kimchee · Joined: 12 Feb 2007

Sometimes we don't realize how good we've got it... I recall my first teaching gig several years ago in an inner city school (Detroit, Michigan). We had a metal detector at the entrance of the school, one of my 8th grade students came into class with a vial of crack, and a 6th grader randomly walked up to me one day and called me a "white piece of sh**".

While I haven't experienced teaching overseas yet, I have taught in the U.S. now for several years. Not to take away from what you do, but from I have researched you have got it pretty good (asides, of course, from the pay).