Today was the first day of the new Winter Schedule at the academy. As I was mulling over this post in my head, I thought it might be a good idea to talk about some of the details regarding this change for those thinking about doing some teaching in Korea. I’ll be writing it using what happened to me as examples, but I think it could be applied to any academy and teacher.
Oh, and here’ s a random video of my students waiting around after class today. I don’t know why I took it, but the kids looked as if they were going to do something stupid, so I was at the ready.
What it means for me as a teacher
1. Change in working hours
I usually work from 3-10pm but the change to the Winter schedule means that my hours have been pushed forward. I still work the same amount but now I work from 11:40-7:15pm and have a full 50 minutes for lunch. Of course, this will not apply to those of you who already work from morning until afternoon. Actually, in my next job I’ll be starting in the morning by default.
2. ‘Special’ English classes
Much the same as the Summer Schedule, I have a special English class consisting of the boss’s daughter and one other student. My Summer classes had substantially more students but this actually works nicely and means we can get through the books more quickly. It’s a nice soft start to the day. I do have to teach them for two lessons on the bounce tomorrow though.
3. Teaching the middle school students first
It messes with my head to teach the older students first after being so used to starting at the young elementary students and working my way up. I am used to finishing up with them and then walking home with ?? and ??, but alas, they go home at lunchtime.
4. More time for eating
In the normal schedule, the teachers have 15 minutes for dinner whereas we’re on a full 50 minutes for lunch now. It rocks.
What it means for the students
1. Confusion
Despite being given more notification of their schedule than the teachers, the students still manage to be confused and are continually asking where they should be next. I keep telling them that only the boss is 100% sure but they insist on coming to me first and then getting annoyed when I can’t tell them for certain. These days, I just lie to them and tell them to sit in the same room until the boss comes and moves them.
2. The presumption that they can be noisy without repercussion
Whenever you change something with the younger students, it makes them think that they can get away with being riotous. I don’t know what makes them think this but it was very evident today that I am going to have to reign them in and start sending some students outside. I have a noisy class tomorrow so we’ll see how that goes. Problem is, it only seems to be happening in my classes.
What about the Summer Schedule?
As I mentioned above, the Summer Schedule is much the same and lasts for a similar period. Only difference being, is that it’s unbearably hot and the students are a little more irritable because of the heat. Oh, and it costs you more because you feel obliged to buy them ice cream.
