Hello, I am currently finishing up my one year contract teaching English in Japan. It hasn't been all I expected... the Japanese high school students have been pretty apathetic and unimaginative, and my co-workers essentially expect me to function as a human tape recorder. I am ready to go back to the States and get a different kind of job, but wondering whether it might be worthwhile to try teaching English in Korea. What have people's experiences in Seoul been like? Might the students there be more energetic and creative? Would the faculty support the ALTs there a bit more and offer more advice and space for innovation?
I am askinb about Korea specifically because I know there are loads of jobs available there and some even offer shorter term (less than a year) contracts but am open to teaching in a different country as well if they offer decent pay/vacation/housing packages and shorter term work.
Many teaching jobs in South Korea are at private after-school academies (hagwons), which offer decent pay (avg.=app. $2,100 a month; more possible in Seoul, though cost of living is higher), free housing, split medical, one month's bonus on completion of a 1 year contract, etc. It all adds up to easy to save money if you choose. Vacation is not good at private schools. Generally 10 days paid vacation, half over summer break, half over winter, plus all national holidays (depending on the calendar year cycle, this can be maybe 14 days, probably similar to Japan in number and in the fact that the week breaks you get are the times when it is both more expensive to travel and more crowded.
The friends I have at public schools have often gotten much longer summer/winter holidays (maybe 2+ months a year), though I think this varies, as some schools want the teacher to work camps during the school hoidays. You will have to look at individual job ads to find out.
You are right that Korea currently needs a lot of qualified teachers, and it would be easy for you to get a job there. If you want to live in a big city, don't limit yourself to Seoul, however. Check out Busan/Pusan also, plus Daegu, etc.
I like teaching in Korea enough that I am going back for a 3rd year (8 more days--yeah!), but to a pop. 85,000 beach/mountain town an hour from the DMZ. Life should be interesting:)
With respect to students' attitudes, in Korea they get tracked through schools in a manner similar to Japan, so if you land a job at a "bad" public school you will likely find the same apathetic perspectives, while at a "good" school you may find motivated students. The last two years I taught at a private academy and loved the students. I'm hoping my new hagwon will provide a similar experience . . .
Check out the NE Asia/South Korea branch for additional perspectives, and good luck with your future . . .
I think if you didn't like Japan, you will like Korea even less. How about teaching in Taiwan or mainland China? In China students are very keen to learn and study.
I spent six years in Phuket - three-year stints each time - and loved it.
While you might find the students similar to Japan - I do think they are not quite so regimented as the Japanese. Just my opinion.
It's only one year - give it a try. The more countries you experience the broader your perspective.
Geez, I have spent six year in Phuket - but I meant KOREA.
Must have been the G & T . . . sure wish we had an edit function here . . .
The students are pretty regimented and unimaginative. It is the way they are taught in their regular schools. The more important factor is where you teach. Try to find a place that wants kids to break out of that mold. There are some. If you have a job like that, you will still be faced with the same problems, but you will be in an environment that encourages innovation, which makes a huge difference. For some kids, it will be the only place they really get critical thinking skills and a chance to be creative. That part is good. But, in the end, they are still part of the Korean education system, which, it seems, has the singular goal of destroying any capacity for free thought. So, although it is not all bad, it is certainly an uphill battle, but I guess that is just teaching.
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