On the Business of Being a Team Leader

It's been almost two months into my second year at my school, and I figured it is time to talk about being a Team Leader. This title makes me in charge of three other foreign Native English teachers in my department (2nd grade). It also means that I am in the intermediary between the English crew and the Korean homeroom teachers. When I was first given this duty I was stricken with fear that I couldn't do it, and would find myself stressed out too much. Today I am going to expose how being a Team Leader has developed for me and give insights into what's been happening so far.

Things started off kind of rough when on the first day back I was bombarded with level testing. I wasn't aware this had to be done so I was found scrambling for the test and spending my prep time giving it to the new students. But I handled it quite well and did my best to keep up with the day. During that first week I thought it was very important to make a good impression with the Korean staff, and so tried to talk with them, and one day gave them some chocolate I acquired from recent travels. But it seemed they were too busy and into their own worries to really pay attention to me or my English staff in general. I mostly just tried to go with the flow and so stayed out of their way.

Since then I have gotten use to being the person the Korean staff goes to when delivering important messages. Information includes schedule changes or nuances about vocabulary and tests. There are four Korean homeroom teachers and the make up is interesting. One of them is an older woman and doubles as the school's Vice Principal. So she doesn't really talk to me much, but I try my best to be nice and mild around her. The other homeroom teacher is the one to go to for paperwork and schedule changes, and mostly for English messages. However, she is going to have her first baby at the end of this month, so we won't see her again till next semester. Then there is the next homeroom teacher, a guy, who pretty much keeps to himself. I only go to him if one of the kids from his class is having trouble. That leaves us with the Head Teacher, a guy who is nice and communicates well with me. All major things pass through him, so I try to be nice and just do whatever he requests.

For example, today we had a new student and this morning as I was just setting up in my room, he informed me of her. I was to give her the level test. If this were me about 4 years ago when I first came to Korea, these last minute things and random invites would have me in a twirl. But I've gotten use to a lot of the Korean workplace nuances and so I'm nice about these things.

Otherwise, being Team Leader seems to mostly be about keeping up with everyone's paper work. Monthly planner, vocabulary and lesson plans are the major forms of paperwork I have to check and make sure are all right throughout the month. I have to make sure folks are keeping up with these things and occasionally ask them to hurry along.

As leader itself I am letting things grow at a good pace. I have had bi-weekly meetings with my staff to catch them up on current topics and agenda. It seems to make my team happy, as we also end up talking about the kids and our classes.

I have to say I find being team leader not as stressful as I thought it would be, but at times I hope I'm not slacking off too much. My concerns would be that I don't really talk to the Korean staff or get to the know them. This is something I am notorious for doing. I just figure if I'm being nice and doing what is being told, than I am on their good side anyways. Hmm, maybe time to rethink my strategy, haha.

In the end, I feel that my position at this school and the unique teaching environment that I am is a fortunate win on my side. So being Team Leader, so far, is treating me very well.

Preparing Myself to Become a Better Language Teacher

Admitting that you have no formal training in teaching English as a foreign language is perhaps really embarrassing to the general expat in Korea (who is a language teacher). Indeed, there were times during my last two years at public elementary school that I wondered what I was doing there and why they even hired me. The large question remains in the expat community over what makes us qualified to have these jobs. Over time I have formulated my own answer, which is that a "qualified" native English teacher in Korea is one who has an open mind, is patient and willing to put in the effort required. A non-qualified teacher would be one who sees their job as just a way to bring in the money and get by, while their social life and time after work is more important. Korea, to these folks, is just a short sting between undergraduate and graduate school. 

Being "qualified" to teach in Korea shouldn't require a hefty background in the subject and credentials under your belt. Since the protocol for hiring people for these jobs simply requires you to have a Bachelors degree and be a native speaker of English.

However, I will digress here and say that once you have been in the industry here and have a few years under your belt you end up desiring more skills and knowledge to better match the needs of your students. This is where my current pursuit comes in to become a better language teacher. In other words, to go beyond my already "qualified" skills and give myself better tools and knowledge to teach well and produce better results.

I have come to see the past two solid-years of teaching in Korea as my "stomping in the mud" experience. There I was able to see what works and doesn't, along the way creating my "teacher-self." Now I feel it is time to expand and really understand the EFL environment and what I can do to improve.

That is why over the course of my lengthy vacation, here in the States, I picked up several books from Amazon on teaching EFL. Today I am going to review one of these books and provide samples from it, that I feel are going to greatly benefit me at my next job.

Teaching Large Multilevel Classes by Natalie Hess:

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Review: So far, as I am not finished reading it, the book has provided me with a lot of "ah-ha" moments. In other words, it has been really helpful in allowing me to take my experiences from the past and digest them into cohesive material. The book is written in an academic way, but it doesn't hinder you from following along. Everything is put right to the point and doesn't mess around. There are several sections to this book on different aspects of what you need to teach. Within these topics are a description and then activity examples with plenty of information to let you know how to do it. However, this isn't a cheat-sheet book that you can just look up an activity and apply it to your class. The book provides the necessary details to let you come up with your own activities and scripts. I would highly recommend this book for the seasoned Native English teacher or the one who is about to jump on the plane and fly over to Korea. 

Coping with Multilevel classes through 11 Principles:

The book starts off by providing 11 Principles that you can apply to the large class. A large class is likely up for interpretation but in this case, teaching in Korea, it means a class with more than 30 students, which is the typical scenario for elementary school and even higher for the other levels. However, if you are working at a hagwon (private school) then you will find yourself with a small sized class. These principles might still be applied. 

Generally, I think most new public school teachers feel an initial anxiety knowing they are going to teach a large class, especially since all the students are EFL. Usually, their next thought is that we will have our coteacher and they will "help" us. In most cases, and most recently, this is not the situation. These days, coteachers are either really involved or just sit in the back of the class and doze off. The native English teacher is expected to teach at least 80% of the time in the classroom. Meaning you need a set of class management and principles to get you by. By showing the following examples from this book I hope they will come in handy for any Native English teacher out there.

Let's take a look:

1. Don't Panic! In more professional words the book basically laid this out as the first principle. Saying that the job is challenging but bad days should not weigh us down.
2. Variety: Match all levels and vary the way in which things are done. You will likely get into a routine, especially working from the class book. Make sure to mix it up and keep the Ss (students) on their toes.
3. Pace: Know what activities should be fast & slow, pay attention to the time. Coteachers really value this and will criticize you if you fail. My tip: Use the first class of the lesson as a tester to see how much time Ss need on certain activities. Then the rest of your day will go smoothly.
4. Interest: Each lesson should incorporate activities that get Ss interested. What this means is set up the class so that there are the usual stuff but something "fun" mixed in to it. Outlining the day's activities at the beginning of the class will help Ss to get interested.
5. Collaboration: This is a fancy word for "group work." Basically you want to get the students working together and using the language a lot. In time they will work together and even create their own works.
6. Individualization: One of the biggest struggles in a large class, especially if you have many of them throughout the week, is getting to know each and every student. I for one believe you don't have to know each and every one of them, but instead make sure that every student is given a chance to express themselves in class. This can be done either by speaking or working on an individual assignment. 
7. Personalization: Make sure each Ss has the opportunity to to present their own opinion and be recognized. 
8. Choice & Open-ended expressions: One thing you should really strive for is to get away from the Multiple-choice type of questioning or the "yes - no" answer response system. Ask questions to the class that open up their minds to make full responses. Asking "why" or "could you explain that more" helps.
9. Setting up routines: Although variety is something you want to strive for, keep lessons fairly similar to each other so a routine is set up. You know...after covering material there is later a test. So you will need to review before hand. Build up things so that they are familiar in a timely sense. This helps not only cognitively but also with class management. 
10. Opening up the Circle: Teaching in a way that allows every Ss to participate. Don't just pick the same "Min Su" who raises their hand. Wait for more Ss to put up their hand. One thing I learned from this book is to alert the quiet kid before class that you want him/her to participate and will likely call on them. 
11. Questions That Arouse Interest: Basically this goes with #8. Just try to get Ss more interested in the topic. I did this a lot with the 6th grade last year, and it helped get them involved and steamed up. haha

I look forward to keeping those principles in mind as I start at my new school next year. In general, I think we Native teachers need to start thinking of our classes more like opportunities instead of "I have just 3 more classes today...I can make it." Sure you get tired of teaching and there are weeks where you feel burnt out. But approaching the job with a positive attitude in this manner might keep things more perky.

Sample Lesson Activities:
I would like to show some examples from the book of activities you could use. However, I haven't gotten through the whole thing so I am just going to pull from their "Reviewing" and "Writing" sections.

Reviewing Activity:

1. English Goals: For the beginning of the semester. Ss write down their goals for learning English then walk around and discuss it with others. Eventually you figure out the major ones and turn those into goals for the whole class. As the semester rolls on you review them with the class and see if things have been met or not.
2. KWL Chart: "Know", "Want to Know" and "Learned". Make a chart with those topics on it. The chart will be used when starting a new lesson. Ss will brainstorm in groups answering the first two questions. After the lesson they go back and review the first two steps and the fill in the "Learned" section.

Written Work:

1. Buddy Journals: Ss keep a journal between them and a friend. Could be Ss in the same class or from another. Could be done with email.
2. Wall Newspaper: Using written work from class pick ones of interest. Edit them and have Ss re-write them Post them up on a bulletin board. Let it cycle throughout the year.

There were a lot more samples and many with great ideas, although I did feel some of them were for advanced levels. However, it is definitely your job to take an activity or task you find through research and transform it for your student's levels and capabilities. Plus after using an activity in class you usually end up modifying it anyways as things work themselves out. 

Whether or not I actually do become a better language teacher at my next school, I know that I at least have the drive to do it. My motivations aren't my salary or that I will even be working at a private elementary school. Instead, I plan on doing all this because I want to see the results in the students and the feeling it will produce in the classroom. 

Am I nervous? You bet I am. As much as I want to get in there and start putting these thoughts into action a little part of me wonders how it will work out. Then there is the whole coworker and comradeship situation that must go smoothly, and I end up pulling out my iPod and playing Veggie Samurai to forget about it all.  

I know last year was a particularly difficult one when it came to working with my Korean coteachers, but I must move on and let go of it all. Take with me the lessons I learned and apply them to my next school. Thankfully, I will not be coteaching, but that doesn't mean I am out of the woods.

All in all, I hope all my past gripes and new found enthusiasm has somehow helped other expat teachers in Korea. :)

I Want Nowon But You

A few weeks ago I went to an interview at a Private Elementary School all the way up in Nowon. The northeast part of Seoul.

I felt good after the interview but knew the guy needed some time to figure out who to pick. Well last week I got an email requesting I come in to go over the "contract details".  That is what I will be doing tomorrow after lunch.

At first my thoughts were, "Nowon is so far and what would the housing be like?" Then I fished around Facebook and found teachers currently working there. I politely asked them about the school and housing and got a positive response.

Now all I am trying to do is hope nothing jinxes me before I get there tomorrow. Anyways, if it all works out I could become a Seoul gal next year. :)

Up Against the Competition

Job hunting this time is bringing in some surprises. For one public schools are looking to hire people with teaching credentials or a degree in English or education. How do I know this? Well I have already seen schools in my area hiring teachers with these backgrounds, and today a recruiter told me that the positions I applied for all want someone with "real" experience.

Now, don't get me wrong. I do feel it is a good turn in the right direction to start hiring people with actual backgrounds in teaching. This might help teachers adjust here more and also bring new develops to school's English programs. But of course it also means that I am now up against a certain kind of competition that I can't do anything about. In my opinion, my two years experience at public schools should be equivalent to someone's teaching credentials. Mostly because I have learned what works in Korean classrooms and have worked hard through trial and error to get the students excited and learning. But I can see why a school would want a person with actual teaching experience as opposed to the regular just-graduated person.

I did ask the recruiter, whether I had a chance of getting a job next year and she did say yes. I am still going on the hypothesis that it is still too early for most independently hiring public schools. However, if most of the schools out there desire a teacher with an education background I have to wonder if there is enough in supply. But given the current job market in America and other parts of the world, I would say that there are probably a lot of applicants in that category.

I suppose this all means that I have to stand up taller and fight for a job out there and work harder at it. In the past, I think, most people are use to just kicking back and waiting for the recruiter to ring in with a position. I am definitely noticing, this time, that you have to call them up or email and remind them you are still out there. Of course not in an obnoxious way.

**Update: I want to say that this post is my nervous response to being on the job hunt. Knowing that I am not as qualified (credential wise) does make me worry. But I wanted to make the point that schools are starting to want more than just your "native" voice, which I actually feel is a good thing. My only wish is that no matter who they hire more proper training would be provided for the cross-cultural workplace. **

Well it isn't all gloom out there, and there are plenty of other schools. Also I have been considering going back to hagwons. Just thought this recent development was an interesting aspect of the job hunt.

Questions Over Tea (In-Person Interviews)

Last week I went to two in-person interviews at two completely different types of schools. From what I experienced I can see that the competition is fierce and schools have the upper hand.

The first interview was at a hagwon or private academy. I am not really looking to work at a hagwon since I have gotten use to not teaching kindy and I like the public school schedule. But I was sold by the ad and I knew the recruiter. He basically sold the school as one of the best. Indeed, as the interview developed,  I realized it really was a diamond amongst them all. The interview was on Thursday, after work, and I showed up on-time.

I was greeted by one of the head teachers and was told to take a seat, while she got me a cup of tea. Then she came back in along with another head teacher. I was told usually they conduct the interview with all the teachers and the director, but due to the timing that wasn't happening.

Their questions were really serious and a few took me by surprise. Although I was nervous I tried my best to answer honestly and to share points that I thought would show me as a good candidate. Here are some of the questions they asked:

• What are your strengths? 
• What are your weaknesses?
• What would you do if there was a bully in the class?
• What would you do if there was a shy student in the class?
• Are you comfortable teaching kindergarten? 

Then I met with the director who pointed out aspects of the contract and asked me a few similar questions. The other two left the meeting (I said thank you and shook their hands) and I was left with the director. He asked me if I had any questions about the contract and I just asked simple things like sick days.  Then he showed me around the school and I complimented him on how nice it looked, and lastly I was out the door.

Although I felt really positive and excited after the interview I found out today that they didn't pick me. There were 4 positions and the recruiter told me they interviewed 7 people. In a way I feel kind of left out of this "secret club" of well treated hagwon workers with amazing pay and an amazing house. But then I also feel relieved because it would have been a 40 hour work week (36 teaching) that included kindergarten kids. At this time, when I am thinking of upgrading to middle school kids, downgrading to kindy doesn't really make sense.

Then came Friday where I had an interview all the way up in Nowon, Seoul.

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This was for a Private Elementary School, meaning it goes by the regular public school schedule and has within it all the usual benefits. But instead of using the national curriculum they give English teachers a subject to teach like Math, Science or Language Arts. One of the eye catching parts of this job was that you get to have your own classroom and own grade to teach. 

I was excited for this job but the hagwon left me excited to teach for them. However, I tried my best to show enthusiasm at the interview.

I had to leave work after lunch on Friday to get to the school in Nowon at 3:30. Indeed, it took me nearly two and a half hours to get there. I walked up a tree lined street with large apartments on all sides, which made me wonder where the teachers lived. Then I came to the school, which was like a public school but with a great make-over. The kids were running around wearing uniforms and matching little yellow backpacks.

I found the meeting room and was told to take a seat and the coordinator would be down soon. I waited for him over a cup of warm tea. When he came he looked tired and busy. In fact he told me that he has been having a lot of interviews and because of this has been busy. He told me he didn't really have the time to look over my details closely. I said "no problem" and that "he could ask me anything."

As he asked me questions and listened to me talk he looked over my resume and cover letter. Some of his questions were:

• How do you feel about teaching Math?
• Do you need the housing deposit? 
• What grades do you like most?
• Why do you like teaching?
• What are your best characteristics?
• Do you consider yourself a really organized person?

The "Math" question was due to that he noticed I have a degree in art and that he has gotten a lot of applicants with a degree in art. I told him honestly that I would never really imagine myself teaching math, but that doesn't mean I don't like it.  I expressed my happiness in the math classes I took in college. He was a bit surprised to hear I took math in college, so I explained to him that it was part of the basic requirements for getting the degree. Also I told him that in class there will likely to be students who don't like math so it will be up to the teacher's skills to make him interested. I was trying to make the point that a math major isn't necessary to teach math. He seemed impressed.

The "organized person" question was his way of indirectly asking me if I don't mind it when my manager asks me to do something at the last minute. In other words, how do I handle the Korean work environment? I first answered with the typical, "Yes, I am organized" and then switched into, "Yes I don't mind getting information at the last moment." Basically telling him that I have adjusted to the Korean work environment and understand it all. He smiled at this.

All I can gather from this interview is that the guy has a lot of candidates and so many number of positions. The school has 23 Native Teachers already teaching grades 1 - 6, so I suppose a bundle of those aren't staying on board. He told me he has to work out who fits where and will get back to me by the end of next week. On my way out there was already another guy ready for his interview. Oh, I forgot to mention that I brought with me a folder of my summer camp work to show him. He looked at it and seemed impressed.

I left feeling good about this interview, but at the same time unsure since the guy was a little out of it. I am excited for the school and it's program but not the location.

More opportunities come up every week on Dave's ESL job board and elsewhere. Plus I have a few recruiters on the job. But regular public schools are still too early to look for. In the end, I don't really want to move away from this area and feeling queezy about living in the cement-blockade that is Seoul. But I really want a good challenge next year and will apply to schools that I see could provide this.

Monday is coming ~ what opportunities are around the corner?

Coat and Scarf

Winter has introduced itself today by having the temperature drop down to 34F as I walked to work. That required me to take out my old winter coat and wrap a scarf around my neck. It takes me 30 minutes to walk to work and so I guess I enjoyed the chilly stroll.

From checking the weather report it looks like this cold snap will last till about Friday when things will slightly warm up again. Of course, though 34F is not as cold as 13F which is how it is in February.

Already I have gotten news about my attempt to work for the Gangnam Public Schools.

I regret to inform you that we will not continuing on to the final interview stage. We received a large number of highly qualified applicants and unfortunately you did not pass the final screening process. I wish you luck with your job search.

That final screening process is the "checking your references" section. My references were my current coteacher (male) and my ex-coteacher from the Sanbon school. I wondered who said what and how it affected me. After inquiring with my current coteacher, saying, "Oh the Gangnam schools decided not to interview me," he looked pretty shocked and sympathetic. Meaning it probably wasn't what he said. On Sunday I mustered up the courage and called my ex-coteacher from my previous school. I didn't reveal to her that they decided not to interview me, and instead fished around to see what her feelings were. I tried to tell her that if it is a burden to her I won't give out her number. Also I noted that usually I don't have to give two references but places like Gangnam and Universities request it, stating further that later on I probably don't need to give out her number when looking for a normal public school. All the while, she seemed okay with everything. However, her tone sounded kind of hesitant when she talked about the Gangnam recruiter. I know we didn't have a good past together but since moving on I have emailed her thanking her and telling her that I missed her.

Whether or not my ex-coteacher can't help but be honest on the phone is still a slight mystery. I came to the conclusion that Gangnam indeed had a lot of "qualified" applicants and whatever my coteachers said on the phone didn't bring me up to their status. I am ok with not getting offered a position, as the housing situation was going to be difficult, but it left me hoping my references won't get me in to trouble.

For now all that is left is a University I applied for, which is in Seoul. They will call around November 8th if they want to interview me. The interview will consist of giving a three minute demo based upon their materials. Already I am brainstorming a demo, even though I am unsure whether I will even be called for to interview.

My current job, which will end in about 38 days, is trucking along. Yesterday we had our open class with the fourth graders and it went well. It had to since my coteacher prepared them so much. People were impressed and pleased. I am just happy to get that duty over with. As for my plan to perk up and try to make "amends" with certain people in this office that has started to die off. I realized I can't make them feel anything no matter what I do, but at least not tip things in the wrong direction. I noticed that I was feeling unbearably insecure due to the new foreign guy at the office. He was getting the "new person" treatment and I couldn't help but reflect on all the crap I received. For some odd reason I feel myself getting over this today. Maybe everyone has finally cooled off.

I am trying really hard to just not care about the nuances at work,which is difficult when working in a tiny office with 4 other people. To do this I am focusing on my future, consisting of a holiday vacation with my family and boyfriend back in America and my future job.

All right folks! Take your Vitamin C and dig out those gloves...winter is here.

The Next Place

Before I talk about places I have been looking at to work for the next year, I thought I would update you about the "G20 Readiness" issue I raised. Chris did a good job on his blog citing his own answers and just recently Rob took a punch at it. Rob points out that the readiness of Korea should be thinking that goes beyond the bus stop or cleanliness of the restaurant but how expats (of all types) need more rights and protection. Certainly, I couldn't agree more and would hope that as dignitaries visit this country they could get not just a look at the tourist attractions but a briefing on how their citizens are treated in Korea.

We'll see!

Back here at my school I haven't really hit the tracks on my whole "make amends" plans. A little bird told me to not drastically change my behavior. I wouldn't want my co-teachers to feel like saps. So I have been just trying to be in a good mood and take whatever opportunities I can to keep relationships either neutral or positive.

Yet, today we are having an after-school dinner to celebrate the new guy. Personally, I don't enjoy these dinners as they all speak Korean and don't bother to translate. (Come on... 3 Korean English speaking teachers...not a single word to let us know what their saying?) But as I have learned you just got to go with it or if you feel like it pester them for it.

It's October and February is a long way off, but of course I am still thinking about what my next job will be. Places like Universities start their hiring now for the new season and so I am giving those a shot. I applied to one and we will see what happens. Otherwise, I have applied to Gangnam Public Schools, which do their own hiring. Thankfully, I know a few people who have worked for them or went through the process and so have a better look inside.

Applying to Gangnam Public Schools puts you through a process of first sending your information, then sending a lesson sample and (where I am at now) having your references checked. If you make it past that then you get to schedule an interview. We'll see if I get that far, if so I am unsure if I would take the position. They only offer housing money and no deposit (which are both high in Gangnam). But I figured why not get to the point when I really have a choice and could possibly see what school they would give me.

Other than that I got my ticket home from my current school and am excited that I will be home for Christmas. I do plan on coming back in January, possibly with JH who might be coming out for a visit.

For now it's that time of the year where I am getting out my sweaters and transitioning into the colder weather. Ahhh winter is coming...

Official GEPIK Recruiters for 2010

One positive spinoff from my coworker not renewing her contract is that she got a list of the Official GEPIK recruiters. This was given to her by our GEPIK coordinator.

Since I am planning on later looking for a job in February it would be great to have this list. Plus I now know where I can get an updated one.

I thought I would share this list with you in case it is needed. If you are thinking about working for GEPIK and want to find a school that hires outside the typical season this would be good for you.

1. ezEnglish: Looks like they have a lot of public schools and private schools to choose from. I never used these guys so can't comment about their service.
2. Korvia: These are one of the big guys. I used them for getting my second job in Korea. They did a pretty good job, but I do have to say there was a lack of post-placement care.
3. YouniKorea: I used these guys last year to help look for a job. They didn't place me with one but did give me some offers. 
4. WorkNPlay: This another one of the big players. They helped me too last year when I was looking. I still have a good relationship with them. I find them to be honest and patient. *After checking it again I am not sure if these guys are the ones I used. I have another link for "WorkNPlay" and that one might be it.
5. Global Campus: I never heard of them but it looks like they work closely with public schools.
6. GMSC: I never heard of these guys either, but their list of openings looks pretty good.
7. ASKnow-ETO: I think I might have used these guys last year. Since I don't remember clearly they were probably the more obscure ones.
8. ThinkOutside: They look pretty decent, but no specific jobs listed for public school. Though looks like they deal with after school positions as well.
9. BoP Korea: I haven't used this one, but it looks pretty good. 
10. Lingua-ESL Planet: These guys are great and I used them several times. They never gave me anything solid but were very honest and trustworthy. I hope to use them again next time.
11. Korealinx: First time seeing these guys. Their job lost looks meager but maybe they are reliable for certain areas.
12. EnglishWorld: These guys look pretty basic and don't offer a job list.
13. YnG Recruit: First time seeing this one, too. They have a job list but looks outdated.
14. Eduvisor: In Korean, not sure if there is an English equivalent.
15. Touch4teaching: Never used. Looks like their job list is good and updated. Probably a good one to contact.
16. Teacher's Bus (ATC): Looks like they have positions all over the place and in private and public.
17. GA Education: Looks like a strong force with a variety of job listings. 
18. EslAgent: These guys look like they mostly have private school positions so I am not too sure.
19. B2Corea: I got the Korean site but I have inkling there is an English version. I have heard of these guys before, too.
20. ProHanz: I don't know about these guys seems like they are new. 
21. EnglishWork: Never seen these guys before. Their job list looks good but not sure how they would be on the phone.
22. ATIK: These guys look pretty basic and don't offer any specific job list. 

Keep in mind that a public school Korean teacher will look through the list and pick any of these. Probably a good idea to go with 4 yourself that you think are reliable. Sending your info to all of them would be overkill, since most recruiters communicate with each other. Also you don't want one school to get your resume more than once. Good luck!


**UPDATE Reminder: If you are going to go for GEPIK through the typical application process that hires seasonally (September start or March start) than only apply to one recruiter. The application process is where you put in your application and won't know the location of your school till you get accepted. What I am suggesting on this post is for people NOT USING the application process and looking OUTSIDE the hiring season. Thank you~

*If any of you out there have used some of the recruiters on this list give us your opinion. :)

Said Yes

It was a fun trip into Yongin today seeing the school. I was skeptical whether I would say yes or not until I saw the housing. I am just going to briefly sum up for you what I learned about the school and housing:

School:

• There is no English classroom, instead you go the homeroom class and teach there. They expect to build an English class room next year.
• I teach 2nd, 5th and 6th grades only.
  
• Teaching hours = 25 (3 extra hours of overtime)
• Schedule is heavier than I have been use to, but I can take on the challenge.
• No after-school programmed classes to plan for.
• New coteacher is a very experienced and focused person. She told me exactly what she will expect of me. Planning for classes will be done together and I should teach 80%. I agree with her and I believe I am capable of teaching more on my own.
• Location is about 20 minute walk from the housing.
  
• I share a teacher's room with another Foreign teacher and coteacher.
• Doesn't start till December.

Housing:

• Inside a modern building with a security Ahjusshi (man) at the entrance.
• I didn't see my exact room, but an example of what I will be getting.
  
• The officetel is separated into two rooms. One big living room type space with the kitchen in it, then the bathroom in the middle, then an extra small room near the entrance.
• The building is shaped like a triangle. One side looks out onto a busy street. The long side looks out onto a small river/creek, and the short side looks out onto a gas station. Guess which one I want?
• House includes a washing machine.
• Across the street is a huge Lotte Mart.
• Area is suburban with mostly housing surrounding it. Not much "Downtown" stuff until you walk a ways to where the subway station is.
  
• Seeing the house sold me the position and it was a done deal.

I haven't signed anything yet and am still in the process of figuring out the visa stuff. It's complicated since I extended my visa into November and the job doesn't start till December 5th.

For now it is time to start packing because no matter what I will be moving out of here on October 31st. Possibly moving into a goshiwon in Seoul, while my stuff is stored at JH's house.

I am nervous, excited and feeling anxious all at the same time. I just have to believe in myself and my choices and live them out.

Be Your Own Spy

It's great that in this day and age you can use Google Maps and Panoramio technology to take a closer look at someplace further away.
What am I talking about? Well throughout my job hunt I have been using Panoramio to I guess spy down on where these schools are located. The recruiter might tell me the school is close to the subway station but the map will prove this right.

First you need to find out the address of the school or the Hangeul name of the school. That is the Korean version of the school's name. Then you go into one of these mapping programs and send it in. You come up with a road map version and a satellite version. The road map version (seen above) labels certain places that are of good interest. Such as where the Emart is or subway station. The satellite image can let you know how much greenery is in the area. You can also take a guess at how well the place has been planned out. I like the Panoramio program because people submit pictures of the places nearby giving it a more living feeling.
So far on my mapping experience I have been able to get a much more 3-dimensional feeling for where a school is located. Also by zooming in I can see how large the school is and what is in the general area nearby.

The only thing I wish this thing showed me was where the Office-tel buildings are, because if I could see them then I would know what might be available.

Ah-well!

I am going to meet the Yongin school tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Casual Weekend

This weekend has gone by and there isn't much that was eventful to report, just the same-oh same-oh.

In other words, I did stuff but didn't take pictures of what happened. Although, I wish I had but on the occasion I wanted to I was without my camera.

Saturday JH and I got up early to go visit my new doctor at the Yonsei Severance Hospital in Ewha, Seoul. We had to get up early so we could get to the hospital by 8am to do a blood test.

Yonsei Hospital is huge and also very accommodating place to wait for an appointment. Since I could not eat anything before giving some blood I was hungry after I finished the test. The hospital has a whole huge food court in it, with many restaurants to choose from as well as a few marts. We chose Burger King because I was craving a breakfast like item. It is rare for me eat to fast food, but I figured this one time wouldn't hurt.

We had a lot of time to waste waiting till 12pm for my appointment with the GI Doctor. The hospital has wifi and computers available for internet access. So I spent some time on the internet looking at the Yongin School's website and trying to figure out the classes schedule. I couldn't find what I was looking for, however I did figure out that there are a lot of class groups at the school.

I was so tired at that time, because I hadn't slept well the night before due to thinking about what to do with this Yongin offer.

It sounds good to take this offer because it is in area that is new and near Bundang. For those who don't know where I am talking about. You have Seoul, you know kind of in the center, then you have Bundang which is South underneath Seoul. This area is pretty new as far as development wise goes and is a popular residential area. Also there are many buses that go straight into Gangnam, Seoul.

But the school is at the end of the yellow line, and so is still kind of far out.

What are my real fears?

Whenever I am faced with these big decisions I fear that I will make the wrong choice. That after I sign the contract a few months later a better position will come up and I will regret my choice.

Yet, I am starting to realize that although every school varies that in general the job remains the same.

Fear is gripping though and when I can't get my mind out of it I start to second guess everything.

Thankfully the recruiter got me in touch with one of the teachers at the school. Apparently, there are more than one native teacher at the school but I am unsure of how many. I think there may be 4 of them and I am going to be replacing one.

Anyways, the recruiter gave me her email contact, and so I emailed her with my questions. She got back to me letting me know that most of the teachers live in the same building which have big and clean rooms.

Other information included that I might be teaching 2nd, 5th and 6th grade only. That was a bit of a red flag. Hearing that I would teach 2nd grade makes me worry a little. But she also said that they just read a story to the 2nd grade and the coteacher helps out with translation. Sounds simple.

Then she went on to tell me that classes finish at 2:30 and then we are left to plan till 4:40. That means that I would teach 6 classes a day. Four in the morning and two in the afternoon, which equates to 30 teaching hours a week. This is overtime due to that I am contracted to teach 22 hours a week. Of course it wouldn't be a surprise to have a few extra classes on a few days.

Basically what is going on here is that I have been working at a very small school, while it is typical for most schools to be bigger. So I would end up making a leap from a small school, where I was the only foreign teacher, to a bigger school with more Native Teachers, staff and kids.

Yet I realized that it is time to be professional and not whine or care about the schedule. Point being that I have the experience and knowledge now to be able to take on a bigger school.

However, this girl is new to the school so she may not entirely understand everything. She didn't tell me what my exact schedule is so I have to wait till I visit the school to see what it is.

If the schedule and the housing are agreeable, so far I can't see why I would say no. The area has two Emarts and a Lotte mart within the surrounding perimeter. On the map you see a lot of greenery and parks. JH says he is fine with this place even though he knows that if I took more time I could find a school closer to where he lives.

I guess this post became more about my job hunting than this weekend. In the mix this weekend was as you know a hospital visit (which went well -- everything is fine), a wedding ceremony for JH's coworker and just sitting around at home with JH pondering my future.

All together I am starting the last 2 weeks at my school and living in my shith*le. That second part is what I am so excited for.

Goodbye Beeping parking garage! Goodbye Stinky Seafood and Octopus Restaurant! Goodbye Shabu Shabu noisy-music-outside restaurant. Goodbye creepy neighbors. Goodbye!!

How Many Recruiters?

There are a plethora of recruiters out there to help us Native Teachers find our job. But I had a question come up in my mind whether using more than 3 would be a bad idea.

So I did what anyone would do and I googled the question. I came upon this website gone2korea, which is a recruiter themselves but one I am not using.

They listed their answer as such:

Using Multiple Recruiters - When applicants start using many recruiters (5+) to secure a job it has a negative affect on the overall success of their placement. Recruiters and schools quickly hear about such applicants and they often label them as difficult to work with. Recruiters feel that it's not worth their effort to source a school only to have these applicants say that they have gone with another recruiter, and schools feel that these people are very unstable to have as an employee. Doing your research and then deciding on 2 or even 3 recruiters that you trust is the best approach to getting a job you want. We are not exaggerating!

This sounds like a big red flag. Logically I would assume that a school receiving an application twice from two different recruiters would think that this person is merely just using multiple resources. But then since I know that logic tends to flow backwards here I was starting to believe that what these guys are saying might be true.

I took the next step and contacted a reliable recruiter that I have been using on my job hunt. They are honest with me and I know would provide me with a real-time answer.

Within minutes after emailing I received this response:

There is nothing in Gyeonggi

We have literally nothing until February in GEPIK

Contact as many recruiters as possible

Simple and to the point. It also reflects the growing new trend these days, which is that of competition. The demand for jobs is higher than the supply. So why not put your name out there with other recruiters?

Just another part of the whole process. As you can see this job hunting thing has pretty much taken over my life.

Job Hunt Update: Oct. 13

There are periods where I get notices back to back and my cell phone is buzzing like crazy. Then there are periods when all is quiet and I start to panic a little on what is going to happen.

But I have the time to let the right job come to me. Besides this is going to be another year or so of my life and I don't want to take something just because half of it looks good.

Some might say that you only need one or two recruiters when looking for a public school position. This is true if you are going the official route and applying directly to the GEPIK, EPIK and SMOE positions that hire only twice year (spring and summer). If you apply to more than one recruiter your application will be moot.

But you don't have to apply directly and can find a public school that is looking to a fill a position. There are some schools that operate independently and so hire a teacher personally instead of having a new Native Teacher dropped into their school.

With that said I am still faced with the fact that not a lot of schools go that route and if so they usually hire around March.

So this is a waiting game.

Anyways, let's take a look at what is on the table:

• Yongin position: Waiting to hear back about getting an interview. Starts in December
• Nowon position: At a private public elementary school. Offers 7 weeks vacation. They want someone ASAP so I am not sure they will consider me since I can't start till November.

That's it thus far. I had a position and interview for Anyang but after checking out the school and housing location made the decision of "no". Sure they wanted me but I still feel like waiting it out till I have more to chose from. It is always a gamble when you say no to a job opportunity, for you are betting that something better will come along.

But I am not in a desperate situation as I was last year and so feel I can be picky. Just don't want to be too picky that I am left with nothing.

In the meantime, I am nearly finished with TEFL certificate. Also I am rejoicing everyday that goes by as I know it means less and less time spent in my officetell-hell.

Anyways, we will see!

Cake Decorating

Your birthday comes once a year, as we all know. In my opinion if my birthday isn't on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday then I don't expect it to be a big occasion. But no matter what one is doing I believe it is important to have a cake and blow out candles.

JH is away in Italy on a business trip so he can not join me on my actual birthday (Sept. 30th). I knew about a cake decorating place in my neighborhood and so decided we should go there. It was our first time at such a place. I recall seeing something about it on my TV and thought it would be a lot of fun.
Entering you are greeted with tables set up for cake decorating. There were a few people working on their cakes and I couldn't help but wonder what special person they were making it for.
What you do is order a basic cake, either a small or a large sized one. They frost it up for you first so to make the base for your decoration. Next you choose your piping cone that you will use for the piped icing around the cake. After you have all these items you can go over to a fridge where you can choose any topping, plus extra colorful icing.

We got to work first putting down a ring around the bottom of the cake.

They supply lots of pictures of people's decorations for you to get inspiration from. But I wanted to do my own thing. Mainly I didn't want to overcrowd the cake with too much decoration, but JH didn't have this concept. He really liked the fruity cakes with the fruit on top.

So I started out making this circle, but I think next time I will opt out of this design.

We both started to argue over where to put things, while at the same time JH made a mistake and accidentally punctured the cake. I fixed this boo-boo by putting a mandarin orange inside.

At this point the cake was a mixture of both our ideas.

We added kiwi fruit and more candy.

I have to say it certainly looks creative and overall the experience was a lot of fun. I have been trying to get my local pals into this place but they seem nonchalant about it.
Tomorrow I don't know whether to share the cake with my after-school class (and watch a movie) or share it with my friends for dinner. So far I am leaning towards sharing it with the kids since it would be a lot of fun, and would be a kind of mix of birthday / going away party.

Job Hunt Update: It's a ghost town out there folks, and mostly because I am being picky. One of the Yongin positions went to an F4 visa holder. I am still waiting to hear back on the other Yongin position. As for any new jobs popping up it seems the pickins' are slim. I have a feeling though that as the days ease into October more offers will come up.

In the meantime, I am making preparations for if I don't have a job which includes extending my visa and looking for a place to stay.

Every now and then as I read the job boards I see hagwon positions that look enticing. But I immediately get a bad feeling inside and realize that no matter how "good" they advertise the hagwon I don't know if I could go back to teaching kindy kids.

This whole darn thing has me kind of anxious, but thankfully JH has been supporting my effort to find a decent job. Once again.....we will see.

Just a Short One

A short message here to say that I am still thinking about my podcast. I want to interview an expat and I had someone lined up but they declined the interview. It just wasn't their cup of tea. ;)

Time is of course going by and everyday I feel I am getting closer to my next job. I am starting to get a little too engulfed in thinking about what my next house will be like. Since I am pushing for a good one I keep imagining things like space and a big window that looks out onto some mountains or a city.

But it seems there are some pains to this leaving a school process, and that is the kids. Just today my little 4th graders were hurrying home and waved goodbye to me. I could feel my heart ripping apart that in a month and a half they will have a new teacher to start over with. But they are kids and their minds will grow and forget about me.

The sun is hiding quicker behind the skyline as the days ease into Fall. I am trying to figure out when I should take out my long sleeve shirts but I figured I will do it when the days stay cooler than 75 degrees F.

All this community building stuff has me nervous. I feel like I am the only "woman voice" in the group and also the one that doesn't really think along party lines. I tend to become idealist and creative when working in a group. Well it is fun to be a part of something even if it is run by mostly guys. Something in me wants to start a Woman's group here in Korea but it just sounds too cliche.

Well that's the news from this side of the globe...till next time.

Eastern Adventures

Last Friday I left work and took the train up to Seoul. There I met JH for dinner and a little visit with his old school pals. It was fun to sit at a table with all male Koreans while they tried hard to talk to me in English. Mostly they just made jokes, but it was very warming to have this experience. Also it was great to get to know some of JH's friends.

After socializing we headed out towards where Ocean World is because the next day JH needed to visit a work site there for his job. JH works for a ceramic tile company and usually makes trips out to new development sites where the tiles are being delivered. Even though it was cool and rainy when we got there I could see some people having fun inside Ocean World (which is a water park).

Behind the trees you can see the new condos the resort is building. 

 JH finished within an hour and since we were half way to the East Sea we decided to head out that way.

We arrived in Gangneung and went to the Sun Cruise ship, which is literally a life-size cruise ship plunked on top of a sea-cliff. Inside it caters to weddings and events, there is a restaurant and souvenir shop. JH told me a little about the history that it was made from real ship parts. And along the outside of the ship there are sculptures.

Inside the "moat" there were wishing bowls that granted different types of wishes. Some for more wealth and others for a fruitful life.

 

We went inside and made our way to the restaurant. The interior was beautiful and the view immaculate. One's hope for a great menu were high, but it seemed the menu was atypical of a Korean fusion restaurant. 

I ordered the grilled salmon steak, which came out to be all right. The vegetables were obviously heated up from being frozen and I had a feeling the salmon wasn't fresh too. But hey one can't pass up enjoying a nice meal by the sea with your sweetheart.

We finished lunch and went to the souvenir shop and then a walk around the deck. Afterwards we found ourselves in a small cafe and had a piece of cake. 

The weather was starting to turn on us so we figured it was a good time to leave the ship and try to get to the beach before it rained. On the way we went through a few of the sculpture parks.

Here you can pretend to make yourself into a stamp. I felt a little shy because for one people already stare at me because I am a foreigner and two they were going to stare at me for being inside the stamp sculpture.

 

But I had more fun at another sculpture park where there were over sized hands and circles. 

  

From the sculpture park you could look out on the Sea and also see some Korean Army guys on their post. JH told me they are looking out for North Korean submarines. It felt a little creepy and odd to be standing near cheerful sculptures while on the other side there were soldiers with guns pointed eastward.

We headed away from the ship and went to a beach nearby. But the weather beat us and soon enough it was pouring rain so we headed home.

On the way home we passed a museum warship. JH told me that it was a North Korean ship that they captured and thus turned into a museum. We wanted to stop and take a look but I was already feeling the car trip haze.

 

 

It was a fun getaway and reminded me that there is still so much to see in this tiny country.

Job Hunt Update: So since last week a few things have happened. The job for Paju dissipated as the recruiter never heard a response back from them, which was fine by me since I am shooting for the Bundang area anyways. Speaking of which I currently have two offers for Yongin and all in the same neighborhood. So we will see which one pulls through. As for Guro in Seoul I didn't go to the interview because I figured it would have been a waste of time and traveling, since I wasn't going to really say yes. So I called the recruiter to let them know ahead of time. With these offers for Yongin I am hopeful and would like to see what kind of housing they would give me. Well we will just have to see!

One More Year?

Here is a funny little story. On Friday after all the classes were finished and I was chilling in my office doing oh so important office stuff...(wink)... the Principal called me into his office. My coteacher told me to go down to the Principal's office. I immediately asked whether I was in some kind of trouble, but she didn't know.

It is rare I am called into his office. On the way there I contemplated what may be the reason, and the only thing I could think of was maybe to thank me for working there or something like that.

I walked into his office and found him sitting with the Nurse, so then my thoughts changed to maybe they were going to talk to me about the H1N1 scare.

I said hello, sat down and went through what was quite an extraordinary experience.

It turned out the Principal was asking me to continue my teaching at his school for one more year. But he doesn't speak very good English and so used the Nurse (an ahjumma who can speak English fairly well) to translate.

She asked me, "Ummm the Principal wants to know if you want to stay here for another year?"
Me: "You want me to teach here for another year?"
Nurse: "Yes, that's right. The Principal is having a hard time finding a good new teacher because of the time of year. He thinks you are very good and the children like you."

The wheels and gears in my head were needless to say spinning. I had accepted the fact that a group of people including the Principal and Vice Principal agreed to not keep me for another year. Because of what my coteacher wrote in her report. I was a little shocked but also not fooled.

Because my coteacher was not asked to join us and he had the Nurse being used as a translator I had the feeling that the Principal was asking me because it is the easiest solution to his problem of replacing me.

So my answer was something like this:

Me: "I don't know if I can. My relationship with my coteacher is very bad. We have had lots of arguments and I think our relationship is broken."
Nurse: "Broken? Really... I didn't know that."
Me: "Yea, it's been pretty bad. I just don't think she likes me. So it would be hard to stay at this school because we don't work well together."
Nurse: (Speaks Korean to the Principal explaining my answer.)
Principal: "You just say YES or NO. Don't worry about the coteacher that will be fine. You worry...just...YES or No."
Me: "I'm sorry it is just not that simple. I could stay till February since you will have more choices at that time."
Nurse talks to Principal.
Principal: "Just YES or NO." Then he gets up and makes a phone call. The next thing I know my ex-coteacher comes into the room to help translate. She explains to me that I would get a new house and that he just wants to know my decision today.

Me: "I am going to have to say No. I just don't believe it would work between my coteacher and me. I believe she doesn't want to work with me anyways and she wants to start over with a new teacher. I really enjoy this city and the children and it would be easy to stay at this school another year but working another year with my coteacher would be too much stress."

Ex-coteacher: "Oh, I didn't know it was that bad. Well okay."
Me: "And I want to add that I overall have had a hard time at the school. I can't stand living in my house one more day and it seemed no one cared about this."
Ex-coteacher: "Ah I know. You had a hard time here. I feel it is mostly my fault. I am so sorry."
Me: "It's okay. I understand at that time you were very busy.

And we all kind of nod our heads and say thank you. The Principal comes over and is given my decision. He takes a deep breath and sighs then shakes my hand and says thank you. And we all get up and leave.

I couldn't find my coteacher after that but I have to wonder if she knew he was going to ask me. Apparently, she is having a hard time finding a new teacher and I think it is because the Principal is being picky.

Now if the Principal had called us both into the room, and I was able to sit with my coteacher and talk to her about our work together then maybe I would have said yes. But he went about it in a sneaky way and was doing it like a business transaction. But this is how this guy ticks and I wasn't surprised.

I had a feeling this might happen after hearing about the problems they were having picking a new teacher. The thing is they should have made this decision back when they had their meeting. I am already jazzed up about leaving this school and starting fresh somewhere else.

All in all, it felt good to be able to say No.