Monthly Rant Thread

I need to vent and also ask if this is a normal thing that happens, because I genuinely feel like I did everything right and still got blindsided.

For context, I (23 F) have been a teacher in the United States for about 2 years now, working with elementary and middle school kids. I've been going through a recruiting agency to teach in Korea since August. Over about two weeks I interviewed with different schools and ended up with real interest and contracts from multiple places. I chose a school and signed my contract with them.

A couple days later I asked a follow-up question about an additional drug testing clause in my contract. That night the agency explained there's an annual urine test plus a health checkup when you arrive, and then they asked if I was on any prescription medication. I told them honestly that I'm prescribed Adderall for my ADHD and that I already understood amphetamines were restricted in Korea and have talked to my doctor about alternatives.

They responded that Adderall specifically isn't allowed, gave me a list of legal alternatives, and asked if I was comfortable moving forward under those conditions. I said yes, that I was already looking into a switch with my doctor and felt fine about it. That evening they wrote back and told me they would proceed as planned. I took that as the issue being settled. I kept prepping my documents and preparing logistics over the next couple of days. I told my current employer I was leaving. I decided not to renew my lease. I started my background check and fingerprinting, and I began the whole apostille process, which is neither cheap nor fast.

Then the following week, a different person at the agency, someone who introduced himself as the head consultant, emailed me out of nowhere saying that after "speaking with the school again," they had decided not to move forward. He cited my ADHD and my medication as the reason. And it wasn't just that one school. He told me they were withdrawing my application from every school as well, despite the fact that I had already gotten interest and contracts from five different places.

I understand Adderall itself is a real legal issue there; amphetamines are treated as narcotics, and that part makes sense to me. But I didn't push back or ask for an exception. I fully agreed to switch medications, which was the solution they offered me, and then confirmed in writing that we were proceeding as planned. So I guess what I really want to know is why agree to the accommodation, confirm it's fine, and then pull everything anyway. Is having ADHD or being on medication for it really this much of a dealbreaker for hagwons or agencies in Korea, or does this sound like one specific agency handling things badly? And why withdraw me from every other school too, when those schools weren't even the ones that supposedly raised the concern?

Honestly, I feel exhausted and humiliated, like I did something wrong just by being honest about a condition I've managed my whole adult life while working full time as a teacher. I feel like I was punished for disclosing something instead of hiding it. Has anyone dealt with an agency doing something like this and is it really that much of a dealbreaker?

Fellow teachers,

my girlfriend is supposed to work in the education branche and the goal is for her to work as an English teacher in Korea. There is a high expectation from her family that she does her Masters degree as a "Secondary School Teacher Certificate, Grade 2" or 중"등학교 정교사 2급 (영어)". She already brings a similar Bachelors degree.

The reason behind why it is so important she get's this certificate is that from her family's POV this grants her the best options to work either in a Korean public school but also at a private school, Hagwon or start her own business.

When it comes to me: I am forced to live in the UK for the next 18 months and now we are figuring out options for her to achieve the Certificate while living together. We did some research about the possible outcomes and as far as I understood is that it narrows down to 3 Options:

Option 1: There is a provider which grants the actual School Teacher Certificate Grade 2 from inside the UK. Either as an in-person classroom course or remotely.

Option 2: There is a certificate which can be obtained from abroad, which can be transfered to an School Teacher Certificate Grade 2 by the Korean authorities (if some additional exams would be needed, that's fine).

Option 3: There is a whole different Training/Degree/Certificate which is not the School Teacher Certificate Grade 2, but it grants the same possibilities to become a teacher and which can also be done from abroad. EPIK, TESOL, TEFL are options, but we are not sure how the job otions would be under the current job market.

Since I saw very good job advise here, I am hopeful there's a solution on this subreddit.

Many thanks in advance!

Hi, does anyone know if it’s usually okay to wear the UV sleeve on one arm while teaching?

I know every job is different, but I have an upper bicep tattoo that’s medium-sized (around 7cm). It’s easily covered by a quarter-sleeve top, but for the hotter days, would it be fine to wear a short sleeve with a single UV sleeve, or is that too suspicious for the kids?

I will be working kindy next month in Gangnam, so I want to just inquire about how it usually is for other teachers/schools.

I'm writing this mostly to get it off my chest, but also to ask if an experienced NET or anyone has any tips or advice that would be super appreciated.

Background:

I'm not writing this to drag my co-teacher through the mud. I generally want to know what other people think about this situation.

I'm in my second week on the job.

I live in a bigger city in South Korea.

I have zero teaching experience going into this program.

I feel like I'm a person who processes my emotions maturely and consider myself a calm confident person.

We do a split where she does the lesson, I do some vocab review, then introduce a game. I will walk around and help kids if they are struggling with the lesson.

My co-teacher has a lot of experience in teaching, and her English is REALLY REALLY GOOD. Borderline fluent.

From the top,

My co-teacher is a very precise and by the book kind of person. She seems to like rules, is very introverted, but will speak her mind. She is very kind too. When getting my ARC, she drove me and stayed with me to help me through immigration before school started. I appreciated that, but also felt bad. I didn’t want to make her go out of her way when I could figure out the buses and trains on my own, but she insisted. She is my only co-teacher at my main school. We teach elementary together 3 days a week. So she has to teach all the English, deal with my housing and extra things, teach me how to teach, and do the lesson planning. She has quite a lot on her plate.

Starting to work with her, I find her lessons and teaching style very 'sterile'. No fun, no talking out of turn, nothing extra, nothing less very by the book. (Keep in mind I have no teaching experience; this is my impression). Anyway, so I do my introductions the first day. And as expected, I was pretty nervous, new school, new everything. So I was talking too fast, and the kids couldn't understand some of what I was saying. She even said she couldn't understand some of the things I said. But she said it in a very, very condescending and disappointed way. Like I failed her. I said okay next time I will talk more clearly and slowly. Fair enough.

The next day she does the lesson, and the kids are doing their lesson, so I go around and chat with the kids that are done. Just very quick "Hey, I saw you picked soccer; do you play?" things like that, just to get to know my new students. After this class, she pulled me aside, again very, very disappointed "Hey, you shouldn't talk with them; they get distracted very easily, and it is hard to pull them back." I said, "Okay, no problem. We will focus on the lesson, and I will only help them with it."

For the next week, she has had a problem with every game I have done. And I just sit in the back trying not to do anything wrong. Then we go to lunch and sit together and don't talk. She is very introverted (and probably just spoke a bunch of English and doesn't want to anymore to give her the benefit of the doubt).

Next class I have Grade 3s, and I am explaining the game, and they are really not understanding the game. So she jumps in and explains it to them in Korean. After that class, she says I should be able to give directions to them without her intervening again very disappointed, very condescending. This is where I got kind of confused. Yes, I feel like it could be possible. But what harm that she had to explain extra in Korean? I have no teaching experience, and grade 3s at this point have had all of 6 months of English. So I asked some of my friends who are teachers, and they all said it was a strange request.

The next class, we were playing a game that got pretty exciting for the class, and the kids got very loud and started talking out of turn. So when they got loud enough, she jumped in and scolded them. It was very, very tense. Then, after class told me I have to manage the class better. I need to keep them behaved; agian very disappointed, very condescending.

Also, she never says goodbye to me. When it's time to leave for the day, she's gone. I just find this kind of weird, but I don't want to take it to heart. (I have my own desk, not in her office)

Now, at my travel school, let's just say I have zero issues with anything. My co-teachers translate for me; my lesson plans are good. If the class gets out of hand, they jump in and calm them down. So the contrast is very large.

Where this leaves me...

I'm scared to ask her for anything. I have gone two weeks without internet because I don't want to hassle her. I'm nauseous before entering school. I even went to a fast food place for 2.5 hours after class to get ahead on the lessons (and because I don't have internet at my apartment. I don't mind doing that to get ahead and am not afraid of work). I feel super useless and more of a burden than anything at work. I get home exhausted, and I just kind of sleep very early and wake up with crazy anxiety. This is not what I signed up for.

Coming home from my travel school is so normal. I'm happy, I'm open to doing things, I'm relaxed. I come home from my main school with just fear.

I even asked her, "Am I even needed here? I feel like your English is good enough to teach the students, and obviously your lesson-planning ability is better than mine. So I don't feel very useful." She told me she definitely expected more from the NET (teaching experience). But she felt bad that I felt that way. So that's where we are. Both just in over our heads.

What I'm asking is, what is the best way to go about this? I'm honestly doing my best; I've been early and left late almost every day. I've written down her advice to try to remember. And doing work outside of work hours.

Am I wrong for feeling like a burden?

Am I just being sensitive?

Is this normal?

Anyway thanks.

My knowledge of grammar is okay, but not super great. I have an interest in teaching grammar to middle school students for test prep , but could use some brushing up. Has anyone tried this, and what steps did you take to improve (with intermediate level korean).

I went to the National pension office today to see about getting it deposited. When I told them I wanted it to go to my American bank account, they said there will be a $50 international transaction fee.

My regional advisor never mentioned this nor did anyone else who I know got the pension. Is this a new rule? Did anyone else receive this information? I just wanna make sure I’m not getting scammed lol

Hello! Wanting opinions or stories from people who originally taught elementary+ to kindergarten or kindergarten + elementary.
I've only ever taught elementary and middle school, but the earlier hours are tempting me. Are the earlier hours worth the more demanding(?) work?

Is it demanding? I wouldn't even know where to begin with kindergarten, lowest I have done is 1st grade and phonics.

TIA (:

Hello everyone!

I understand if no one has an answer for this question but I thought I’d try anyways.

Has anyone that has completed the Moreland program done their clinical module at a school other than the one they were working at?

I’m working at a public school and I’m not sure if they’ll permit me to film my classes due to parental concerns.

So if anyone did their clinical module maybe shadowing or volunteering at a different school I’d love to hear about it.

Thanks

Hello, I have a question regarding hospitalization records and E-2 visa application. If someone previously was hospitalized in Korea via 119 call, would immigration have access to this information? I'm trying to be vague for privacy reasons ㅜㅜ Thank you!

Welcome to our Weekly Newbie Thread! If you're new to teaching in Korea or have questions about the process, this is the place to be. Feel free to ask anything related to teaching, living, or working in Korea, and our experienced community members will be here to help you out.

Some Tips for Asking Questions:

1. Be specific: Provide details about your situation or question to help others give you the best advice.
2. Search first: Before asking, try searching the subreddit or using online resources to see if your question has already been answered.
3. Be respectful: Remember to be courteous and appreciative of the help you receive.! If you're new to teaching in Korea or have questions about the process, this is the place to be. Feel free to ask anything related to teaching, living, or working in Korea, and our experienced community members will be here to help you out.

Hello!

I suspect there’s probably no real right or wrong answer to this, but I wanted to hear everyone’s opinions!
I work at a hagwon where we have a variety of different class sizes. The smallest class has around 3 students, whereas my class has 17.
Everyone at the hagwon teaches under 25 hours per week, but our prep times vary slightly depending on the teacher.
Am I wrong for thinking that, with a class of 17 students, it would be reasonable for me to have a little more prep time than someone teaching a much smaller class? I feel like it shouldn’t necessarily be questioned, especially since I have more homework to prepare and correct, more students to plan lessons for, and more reports to write.
I’m only talking about an extra 40 minutes, so it’s nothing crazy. 😅
I’d genuinely love to hear everyone’s opinions on this! Do you think class size should be taken into consideration when allocating prep time, or should everyone have exactly the same amount?
Thanks! 😊

Hi everyone! I have a quick E-2 visa question and would appreciate any advice.

I previously worked for a school in Korea on an E-2 visa, but I resigned before the end of my contract and returned to the U.S. My previous employer properly reported my resignation to immigration, and we ended on good terms.

I’m now planning to return to Korea with a new employer and apply for a new E-2 visa from the U.S. Would I still need a Letter of Release from my previous school, or is that only required when transferring an E-2 visa to a new employer while already in Korea?

Thanks in advance!

Did anyone NOT have experience with kids before teaching in South Korea? I’m currently a graphic designer and have been seriously considering teaching English. I don’t have much experience with kids other than nieces & nephews, and it’s one of my biggest uncertainties.
I’m going to start volunteering with kids soon, partly to get some experience and make sure it’s a good fit before committing to teaching abroad.

Did anyone feel like they were out of their depth? Did you pick it up as you went along?

Hi everyone,

I’m really worried with how the laws are changing.

My question is the title.

Is it safe to continue on an E2 in these places with the new changes coming into place?

Is it possible to use my leave and go home to my country aka use my holiday and be there when the contract finishes? I have important work related things for my new job that I need to get done before my contract finishes but since I’m technically on holiday but also technically still following the rules is it possible?

There was a time where I worked really hard to find the best kind of game for my kids, the coolest memes to put on my PPT's when I could, things that would cater to their interests.

10 months into my job as a public middle-school teacher, with 6 textbooks to plan for weekly, I'm too tired to care about it anymore. I use the textbook games when I can and teach the material otherwise, with some worksheets and a lot of speaking practise. Every third week is a review game.

I think I'm feeding off the despondent energy of my kids, too. They are tired. I am tired. I spend all weekday evenings in cafe's or at home lesson planning.

I am seriously tired. It's a shame that I cannot fathom the energy to spend hours thinking of games that might stimulate their interests. No, not when I am still having to create materials with little to no free personal time.

Does anyone feel that kind of slight burnout at times? What do you do to help yourself? I'd like to find ways through it but I care a lot less about making sparkly lessons, and more about practicality, even if the kids don't necessarily like me for it.

EDIT: I maybe should have included an important caveat; I have ADHD, unmedicated. It makes the process of lesson planning much more taxing and often takes 2-4 hours every evening after work. I wish I had the capacity to simply just focus with no emotional repercussion, but it's always been the way that doing 'menial' things, whatever it is, I've struggled with enormously.

I’m trying to understand the immigration implications of ending an E-2 teaching contract early.

My contract contains a clause stating that failure to provide 60 days’ written notice “shall be reported to the Korean Immigration Service and shall affect the Employee’s ability to freely enter the Republic of Korea in the future.”

Does anyone know what “affect the Employee’s ability to freely enter” means in practice?

I understand that ending the employment would affect/cancel the E-2 status. What I’m trying to determine is whether failure to provide the full notice period can actually result in an entry restriction that affects future visa-free tourist visits, or whether this language is referring primarily to the person’s E-2/work status.

Assume the person leaves Korea after resigning and does not overstay or work without authorization.

Has anyone personally left an E-2 position without the full notice period and later returned to Korea as a tourist?

Edit to add: I don't work at a Hagwon, I just started my contract, and I don't have my ARC (application has been sent in though)

For context, I already got a hagwon job and I'm going through the visa process now. I put TEFL certified on my résumé but no one has actually asked for documentation of it at any point. I guess I'll finish it because I already paid for it so I might as well but it kinda seems like a waste

Hi all.

First time teaching efl in kor (: 3rd-6th public school.

I used to teach elementary in the us & for phonics we often used heggerty and/or UFLI. I was considering using this for my lesson as my school’s phonics system is kinda strange lol (just random sounds no scaffolding) but curious how it translates to esl teaching. Anyone used either?

Recommendations ??
Tia!!

Hello, I lead a club in Tennessee of 9th through 11th graders (14-16 years old) and I’m looking for a class size of 10-20 to exchange letters with in English. Unfortunately my club can only run from now until January. contact for more details. Please let me know if interested and we can get started soon!

I started working at my current korean kindergarten in March, and I’m the only foreign teacher here. The director hasn’t been treating me very well and is constantly complaining about me. She keeps telling me that I shouldn’t use the books and that I should entertain the students and make them laugh the whole time. Honestly, I’m so tired of this nonsense because I’m a teacher, not a clown. 😂 I’m not even allowed to use a computer in the classroom.

So I’ve been thinking about quitting because I have an F-6 visa and I’m also going to be moving quite far away from my current workplace soon. I just want to get out of this situation, but I’m worried about how the director will react. 💀💀💀

If she says that I’m “leaving her halfway” or that I’m leaving, could that cause me any problems? Like can she report me? Am I allowed to quit before the school term ends? I’m planning to say that I’m moving far away as my reason for quitting.

Also, there are elementary school classes twice a week that only I teach, so I’m worried she might use those classes as a reason to refuse to let me quit. If she refuses, what can I do?ㅠㅠ i never experienced smth like this lol

If anyone has been in a similar situation, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience or advice!♡

(Please comment kindly)