complaining

There are a few things people have to realize and really understand when it comes to teaching in Korea. At a hagwon, that is. A hagwon is not just a school, it's a business. Actually, it's way more of a business than it is a school, really. Parents (Korean mothers) pretty much run the school because they fund the school. If a mother doesn't like how her kid is being taught (as if she would know because she's never set foot in the classroom) then they complain to the Korean teachers who then relay the message to the foreign staff that things have to change drastically otherwise you're out... not them. Well, okay, it's not that dramatic and drastic, but that's basically what it boils down to.

Also, remember that being organized and planning well in advance is not the Korean way. It's always, "Do this, do that, now now now, but you can't because we're not organized enough to tell you exactly what you need to do and how to do it. And plus, we don't have any of the material ready, so right now it's impossible, but you have to do it now anyway." Seriously, this is what it's like.

And you're gonna have work to do. Just like at any other job you've had in the past, you have to work for your money. Some teachers have the mentality that "if I'm not getting paid during this hour, then I'm not going to do any marking or lesson planning in this hour." Suit yourself, but good luck telling that to your boss back in Canada or America or wherever you're from. Do you think certified teachers back home get paid for every minute of extra time and effort they put into their jobs? Do you think the CEO of any company only puts in the minimum amount of time into their work day? If you only put in the minimum amount of effort required at your job, you will likely only get a minimum amount of pay and gain a minimum amount of success (both current and future).

If you put in the tiniest bit of extra effort and your Korean peers, supervisors, or owners notice it... OMG, you'll be in their good books forever. And that means they won't pester you or hound you or micro manage you in any way. Just do what they ask, ask as many questions to get clarification, and put in a little bit of extra effort and you're golden.

Remember, you're not in your home country anymore. You're in Korea. Whatever made sense to you in your home country doesn't apply here. And I'm not trying to knock Korea in any way, I'm just telling you how it is from a foreigner's perspective/experience. Besides, your rent is paid for and so was the return flight, so try not to act like a spoiled brat. No company back home would do that for you.

So, be warned....the Korean way is very different. If you don't like it, go back home.