PROS AND CONS

Ah, my laptop crashed. The fan pooped out this time and overheated the hard drive. So it goes! Should get it back from the shop next week. Thus I can't really import too many pictures right now that I have to share so I'll hit everyone with a list:

PROS & CONS: OR, TOP REASONS WHY MY JOB IS AWESOME 

(in no order, and in comparison to my previous job and the jobs of those in my same public school situation):

PROS:

1. I live thirty seconds from school. Quick commutes are priceless.

2. Both my co teachers are both nice, hard working and pleasant to be around in general. That's not always the case, some Native English Teachers have Korean co-teachers who sit in the back the first day and then never show up to class again. 

3. I am pretty much 30 minutes door to door from almost everything that's fun in Seoul. This isn't as big a deal because there was still lots to do around the last neighborhood, but I was looking at an 1h-1h20m minutes to get into the city and a equally increased cab ride home if it was past 11:30pm. 

4. I have 22 classes (40 minute) a week. Amazing, and it's the same schedule all the time. Previously -- 36, 40 minute classes a week and two months a year at 41 classes, and each month I would have a different schedule.

5. I teach the same age group. Students between the ages of 10-12. I can then plan my lessons, and energy level accordingly. Comparatively last year the age range was 5-14. 

6. I have my own computer AND I share a room with only one other teacher. My down time is then sort of my own time. Also when my home computer dies, or I don't have internet for the first month I have a good alternative to keep me in the loop!

7. The way my class structure is set up, I really only have to plan for four different lessons a week (at four or five classes per lesson). Some of my peers in public school have to lesson plan seven or eight different lessons for several age groups, others have to plan only two or three classes but they have to teach those lessons 12 or 13 times! That would get so old. 

8. I work from 8:40 a 4:40 everyday. Last year, true I wouldn't start until 11:00 sometimes, but I would often be leaving the office between 6:30 and 8 pm. After cooking dinner and checking my email I'd turn around it'd be 9 or 10:00! Day's done. 

Which leaves me more time for my hobbies. Like this: Rice paper spring rolls

CONS:

1. I have about 300 students, and very few have taken English names (my ear can't even pick up their three-syllable names when they tell me) so I don't know any of their names, or much about them. I really did enjoy the more one-on-one setting of the private academy. 

2. I can't leave school during the work hours. Not a big deal at all, especially because I have online banking now (the banks here ALL close at FOUR P.M, for some unknown reason) but last year it wasn't half bad to go grab a mid-day coffee.

3. The stairs at my school a really uneven. Each flight is a different height, and sometimes even within the flight there are stairs that are higher or lower. Super annoying. And because I have to wear indoor slippers at all times that are too small for me I'm already an awkward walker to begin with, and I end up tripping a lot. Bummer right!?