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powerrose
Joined: 14 Apr 2003
Posts: 119
Location: Shenzhen, China
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 Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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Glenski - Ok, I'll fess up, I taught in Japan before this. So, trust me when I say I know exactly where you're coming from, and that none of it applies here.
"Your contract is not in English. Ok, so how did you understand it enough to sign it?" I have no clue what may or may not be in my contract and I signed it because I am a huge wuss and they didn't even give me the contract to sign until 3 months in, which I accepted because, again, I am a wuss. I will fully admit that everything I did contract-related was stupid beyond belief and I hope any future teachers reading this will take from my experience that it is never ok to start a job without a signed contract in English.
tomstone - Students love me, and I sometimes wonder if that's why the other teachers are a little unfriendly. Lots of hugs, following me around, running full speed to my class, etc.
jr1965 - I was this close to not returning over the Christmas break after giving notice over the aforementioned things and some other things I've not disclosed here. I guess you can either say I'm a consummate professional or a spineless wuss  ! My school isn't very organized (big surprise) and I know it took them 4 months to hire me, and it would probably take longer if I quit mid-year. Yes, part of it is that they are going to have a hard time to find a big sucker like me who will work without a contract in English, etc. The students really enjoy my class and I can't help but think it would be unfair to have this much upheaval in their lives.
Thank you again, JDL. |
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tomstone
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
Posts: 293
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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| I figured as much. THE OTHER TEACHERS ARE JEALOUS OF YOU!! |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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Dear tomstone,
Actually, while they may (or may not) be envious, I doubt that they're jealous.
Othello was jealous; Iago was envious.
Sorry - pet peeve.
Regards,
John |
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tomstone
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
Posts: 293
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Jealous - painfully desirous of another's advantages. Does that fit? |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:56 am Post subject: |
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| powerrose wrote: |
| Glenski - Ok, I'll fess up, I taught in Japan before this. |
I suspected as much when you mentioned Big Daikon.
| Quote: |
| So, trust me when I say I know exactly where you're coming from, and that none of it applies here. |
I don't think so. A lot actually does apply. I'm disappointed that you feel otherwise. Situations abroad often have commonalities. This is one such case.
You signed a contract without even knowing what it said. You probably still don't. So, how do you blame the employer for various contractual clauses that may define what you are supposed to do? (This doesn't happen in Japan AFAIK, but the point is still there. You didn't / couldn't read the contract. Thank you for answering that and for admitting it was foolish. I'm sorry you are in such a situation.)
Not knowing what to do on the job is easily enough determined if you ask. Many teachers in J suffer the same thing. Just ask early on.
Some storm ahead regardless and do things their own way, and this can cause consternation and ill-feelings from the J staff. How they perceive it and respond to it will vary with culture, but you are on the receiving end just as if someone were to do that in Japan. So, it does apply.
Another similarity I can strongly empathize with is living in the copy room. Nothing unique there. Just be glad you are permitted to make such copies!
I think you should try to reduce your stress on the job by making amends of sorts, or forming compromises if possible, with the staff. Six months is a long time to suffer, and relaxing at home is only half the battle. |
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fladude
Joined: 02 Feb 2009
Posts: 432
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| Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Just teach however you want and don't worry about it. They won't fire you at this point. At worst they might withhold some kind of contract bonus. Who cares if you are following their contract or not? I doubt the bonus, if there is one, is enough to lose sleep over. I wouldn't worry about it. Just do what you want and if someone criticizes you just tell them to *beep* off. That's what I usually do when I'm in a place that I don't like. You won't be there next year one way or the other so who cares? |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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fladude,
I consider that terribly bad advice.
1) They might indeed fire you. You cannot be sure.
2) Telling people to F... off in a work situation that is already bad is a sure way to alienate oneself even further, especially when they are the locals and your bosses/peers.
3) Leave a good impression of foreign teachers (or at least one's nationality). Who knows what insane clauses will be put in the next contract, or whether they will even hire someone from that country anymore? |
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fladude
Joined: 02 Feb 2009
Posts: 432
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| Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:05 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
fladude,
I consider that terribly bad advice.
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I knew you would, but then I could tell from reading your posts that you and I are at opposite sides of the great moral pentagram in the sky......
For the most part when I decide that I don't like people I tend to push it to the max. Over all I don't see it having much of a difference on things. I don't really care if I alienate people that I don't like and don't plan on continuing to work for.
Just move on and don't use them as a reference. Treat your friends good and treat your enemies bad. That's my advice. |
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tomstone
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
Posts: 293
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| Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:32 am Post subject: |
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Above all things, never be afraid. The enemy who forces you to retreat is himself afraid of you at that very moment.
It's not biblical, it's Aesop or something. |
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