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Dec 08
speakingkorea

“Why you shouldn’t teach English in Korea”

Posted by: speakingkorea in Teaching  

Tagged in: Teaching English , ESL

Back in August, I wrote an article for TESL Korea News about my year’s experience teaching in Korea. I was just days from departing the country, finding temporary residence in a love motel, looking out over some of the common eye sores of your average Korean city, town or suburb.

 

I introduced the article with two questions…

 

Worth it? Most definitely

 

Would I do it again? Absolutely

 

…and concluded with: It makes me sad to leave, but I know I will be back. Where else would I want to be?

 

August. Four short months ago. Surely there has been an unrealistic transformation from then to now? The kind that could only happen in some low budget movie broadcast to kill a Saturday night in the summer. Shorts and t-shirts. Hot weather and beers in the park. Baseball followed by a gentle stroll home in the eerily mild and quiet Gwangju dawn from another of the city’s clubs.

 

My previous employers were not perfect, but it was the job any debutant teacher would hope to land. A kindergarten school as big as a palace, thirteen foreign teachers, and in comparison with most private schools, comfortable working hours bordering on improbable.

 

Since then, I have effectively moved across the road. I now work in a small school (two foreign teachers) that is part of a huge national franchise. The school is quite laid back but gone are the kindergarten students. Now I’m teaching the little ones who came off the production line of young Koreans with excellent English. It has been interesting watching the development of children aged between 5 and 14, with regards to their language skills.

 

My situation is healthy and I’m very pleased with the school and everything with it.

 

But upon returning, I have come face to face with victims of how awful some Korean schools can be. I have a friend in Seoul who quit after six months because her contract was effectively rewritten when she landed in the city. I know two other people who were promised their school’s location was in Incheon City. Turns out it’s on an island in the West Sea. And it goes on.

 

I guess the experience of teaching in Korea is what you make of it, and some people are natural moans. But there are serious problems, and I suggest googling the topic before signing a contact.

 

A friend in Japan alerted me to this video today. He asked whether it was accurate. The scary thing is the video would appear to be based on the real life experiences of teachers in Korea. So, I ask you, fellow native teachers, is this accurate for you?

 

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7839719/

Re-published with permission from the author. Check out speakingkorea.com for more great postings from the author.

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Comments (4)

Incheon wasn't lying...
0
Can't speak for the Incheon City girl, but they probably weren't lying to her. Incheon city does administratively cover many of the western islands...

A way to get around that is to get specific - what 동 (dong / neighborhood) or 구 (gu / district) is that in? Which subway station is it nearest to? What's the exact address of the school (maps.google.com can take English or Korean)

As for the video, it's a compilation of horror stories. Nothing more and nothing less. That's happened to some English teachers, yes, and I'm not saying some of them couldn't happen to you... That said, you are coming into a different culture with different rules and different mindsets that even many of the locals don't like. Recognize that before getting on the plane.
Chris in South Korea , December 08, 2010
...
0
Yes, I agree. Horrible Horrible experience.
Eleanor , December 11, 2010
Teaching in Korea
0
Yes, I have heard some horror stories. That being said, which profession do you know that doesn't have a horror story or two especially when that profession takes you to a foreign country. My advices are first, research your school or hagwon and make sure it's in the right location for you. Second, try to learn the language because a little can go along way. Most of my friends say that the language barrier is the hardest obstacle to over come. lastly, stop complaining and go have fun because the experience is what you make of it. Korea is a wonderful country and a place where I feel completely safe night and day unlike most American cities.
Redskin Fan , December 12, 2010
my experience and tips
0
I had a good enough first job, but when I moved on, I ended up with kids who were about 10 years younger than promised. I'm aware of Korean age vs. Western age, but toddlers are not to be confused with middle and high schoolers. I was told I'd get to teach more high level students, doing debate and test prep. I ended up doing ABCs and literally told that I'm to wipe a--es (which I refused). I quit early on, giving ample notice and being as helpful as any mere mortal could be in that situation.

Fast forward to next gig. It's an after school program. The apartment turned out to be unlivable. I ended up living first at a jjimjilbang (where I was sexually attacked), couch, goshiwon and different jjimjilbangs. I was promised a new place and after pushing the dates then threatening to fire me every time I asked, I just left.

If job 3 was my first, I would actively work to ensure that no one ever goes there. Job 2 was merely inconvenient in comparison even though that contract was full of lies.

Tips
1. First timers: go through GEPIK/SMOE and giant branches of giant hagwons. This doesn't mean you're going to have a good experience, but when it comes to fulfilling the promises of your contract, it's the best bet. Your co-teacher can be your best friend or your worst enemy, fluent or pretty much a novice, but most likely, s/he'll be somewhere in between on both counts. As for hagwons, the bigger the school, the easier it is to research. Big branches will generally mean you'll get some sort of mini-training and a bit of feedback on your performance. The exception would be WONDERLAND.
2. If you don't love young kids, don't do kindy. "Kindergarten" is age 3-5/6 Western age. Make sure you've spent a lot of time with kids in this age group before you agree to this sort of job. These gigs also involve longer hours as most involve hagwon after the kindy kids go home. Tolerating them is not enough. Make sure you love them or you'll hate your job.
3. If you have thin skin, reconsider. This isn't a good place for sensitive types as people may stare at you, actively avoid being close to you, point, laugh, gawk in horror, etc. If you insist on coming, try international schools or working with kids who've lived in the US. Live and work in Itaewon, and never leave. If you do this though, you completely miss the benefits of living in a foreign country.
4. If you're significantly overweight, not "traditional" looking, black, brown or tan really well, make sure to seek out the open, worldly people living nearby. For the sake of sanity.
5. Follow your gut when choosing. Don't agree when there are vague details. Find out the exact address, google the school and the address, ask to speak to current or former foreign teachers. Do your part. If your recruiter is being dismissive or excessively pushy, find someone else. Don't feel obligated or pressured to agree to anything you're not comfortable with fully. If it winds up being a disaster, it's hard to undo so choose carefully. Even if job prospects are bad where you are, finding yourself in one of those nightmare situations will be worse.
Blueberry , December 16, 2010

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