Re: EBY English Institute/Gwangju

Hello, again, Fisher,
I dont know anything about this school (hagwon) in particular, but are still some things I can point out when seriously considering such positions as the one outlined here.

Notice the age of the students, and more importantly, the work hours: 2:30PM to 9:00PM. You should understand that in China and Korea, but Korea more intensely, children and teenagers are under enormous pressure to study all the time -- they rarely get "play" time. Not sure about elementary school students (but the ad for this job seems to clearly imply) but middle and high school students go to English of other types of "cram" school every afternoon after their normal school day has ended. Instead of going home and relaxing, they must attend English (or science or math, etc.) school/class for several more hours until dinner time or beyond.

You see you will teach these kids AFTER they've had normal, Korean elementary school since early that morning, and they will stay at your school until 9:00 at night! Can you imagine making elementary school students in America stay at school (or an "after school" program) until 9:00 at night??? Wouldn't happen. I can also tell you the great majority of Korean students DETEST this very long day of learning. Can you blame them?

I'm not trying to be overly-negative, but I have heard this again and again from other foreign teachers: elementary school students will mostly stare at you and expect YOU to do all the work. Games and other energizing activities will be expected, and they may still give you little in return, especially because they know their parents have paid, and therefore feel no need to participate if they dont want to.

Korean parents are notorious for not only pressuring the hell out of their kids (academically speaking), but also their teachers, especially the foreign ones. They'll never tell you to your face that they are dissatisfied with you, but they'll kick up a fuss with the owner if they feel you're not making their kids happy and productive in their English skill building.