Starting a new job...

For some of you, this may be your first full-time job. For others, it may be your first time at a hagwon or a public school. The rest of you are seasoned veterans and don't need the advice and tips given in this blog entry. ^^ Those of you who can classify yourselves in the first two categories may find the contents of this entry useful before preparing to enter into your new work environment.

Hagwon
For those of you who are employed with a hagwon, I'm sure you have heard many horror stories and not very many success stories. Unfortunately, the majority of the stories out there, are ones of corrupt hagwon directors, poor management, etc. These situations probably seem like the majority because they're the ones you read the most about. I'm here to tell you that not every hagwon experience is nightmarish.

When beginning to work in a hagwon, an open-mind is essential. (Actually, this is essential when entering into any work place.) Remember that a hagwon is a business whose service is education and its clients are the parents of the students that attend there. With this being said, many hagwon directors often feel pressure from their "clients" to cater to what they believe is best for their children, the students. You may also experience the effects of this pressure from your direct superior. If asked to do something, you should do it. However, if you feel that the request is immoral or even illegal, then it is best to hold your ground. You do have rights in Korea as a tax-paying temporary resident here. The command may not seem practical or logical, but if the director feels it is in the best interest of his/her clients and their children, then he/she will expect you to do what is asked of you.

In a hagwon, you may also find that the quantity of the material covered per class is quite large. Initially, you may also struggle to keep up with the rigorous pace that some hagwons demand of their students and employees. If this is the case, be sure to ask your co-workers for advice in lieu of complaining that it's too much work in too little time. There are also many resources on the Internet for advice on curriculum management. Most hagwons will expect you to follow the curriculum if provided to you.

Finally, many hagwon place a great emphasis on "results." Results could mean anything from a perfect score on a test or little to no mistakes on their homework. You might feel that these "results" don't mean anything, but many Korean parents feel that marks in their child's textbooks and homework means that the teacher is actively trying to improve their child's ability in the English language.

Public schools
In public schools parents can also sometimes play a vital role in what the principal expects of his/her teachers as far as classroom methods and discipline go. While public schools tend to be a bit more laid back than hagwon in this regard, you still may come across the occasional disgruntled and irrational parent from time to time. If you feel that a request or complaint is seriously unreasonable, then you might want to bring that up with your co-teacher or other English-speaking co-workers. The best resources for you concerning things that are happening at your school about which you have questions, are your colleagues!

I've heard from many teachers that they sometimes struggle with the small quantity of material to cover during each class period. This is where hagwon and public schools can sometimes differ. In a public school classroom, you may find yourself needing to come up with supplementary activities to fill the class time and reinforce ideas taught during that particular class session. You can find a few ideas on our blog. (i.e. Baseball or various lesson plan templates) However, there are thousands of resources on the Internet and your co-teacher(s) may also even have some ideas that could help you.

All in all, there are some key differences between hagwon and public school classrooms. There are also some things that don't vary and you should make an effort to do in both sectors. First, dress for success. In general, teachers' dress codes are business casual. I always advise teachers to dress in this fashion for the first few weeks or so, even if you see your co-workers dressing a bit more casually. By setting a high standard for yourself, you are more likely to make a good first impression. After 3-4 weeks, you might be able to start thinking about dressing more casually as your co-workers might do. Next, you should also try to "make nice" with you co-workers, especially because you may find yourself needing their help at any given point during your time at your school. Regardless of your initial impression of them, it's always a good idea to try your hardest to get along with them. Finally, if you ever have questions or need help, you should ALWAYS ask someone from your school first. HandS Korea is more than happy to help you in any way we can, but based on our experience, the best remedy to a problem or misunderstanding is to talk to a co-worker or supervisor first! After you've tried every way you can imagine to resolve the issue, then it's a good time to talk to us.

There's a lot more to success at your school than the things mentioned in this entry, so feel free to ask us if you have questions! Best of luck to you at your new job!