Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

I am sure this topic is a popular one, yet I am lazy and tired and reluctant to search the forum... please indulge me.

I currently teach adults in Busan, South Korea. I am the best of the four teachers in my office, at least according to the company evaluations (honestly I am assuming this based upon the other teacher's expressions and reluctance to divulge their scores).

I have been told that it is my office's explicit policy to not rehire foreign teachers... regardless of their ability the management simply feels that they want fresh faces and they think a whitey on the 2nd year is too lazy.... or something like that.

I have broached this topic specifically with my manager over lunch in the staff lounge and she said as much as what I have stated above.

I get along with all my coworkers and most of my students love me... did I mention I teach one on one... pun intended... I have been told that some of my low-level students are still befuddled by my tendency to use big words and speak quickly (after drinking a lot of coffee and working 6 hours without a break... but I am going to make a sign to put on my desk politely asking them to ask me to slow down if they are confused...)

anyway... my ultimate goal is a "good" job in China, but before I go to the Middle Kingdom I want to have a bit more money saved... I was once a soldier near Seoul and know it's a very dangerous place to live and so don't want to search for work there...

so... how did all of you former Korean teachers jump the pond? what are your recommendations? I studied in Hirosaki in the Aomori prefecture for 1 month before getting this job in Busan... Hirosaki was alright... more than tolerable... I think I could probably save a bit of money in a city that size... but a bigger city might not be sooooo bad either... i have 5 months remaining and time to ponder...

thanks a lot...

[abufletcher]

[chaz47]

ok ok ok

allowance for speed reading... i will complete my contract... no worries there, the problem is that my school doesn't renew foreign teachers... or at least hasn't in 3 years of operation... i am attempting to plan a good school far enough in advance... i have 5 months remaining in my contract that i will complete (knock on wood)

[Glenski]

I agree with abufletcher and have this to add. You are going to have to come here to interview. If you plan on that, you could contact potential employers beforehand and tell them when you will be here. Otherwise, if you just show up unannounced, you will have to support yourself for a couple of months (US$4000 needed) while you look. Depends on what time of year, too.

[Yawarakaijin]

I have no idea how this happened but one of our new teachers recently had a nervous breakdown after only 3 weeks in Japan after coming from Korea? So there goes the commonly held belief that Korea is hell compared to Japan

Should'nt laugh but they guy ended up in Shinjuku looking for the airport and the cops took him directly to the hospital Now I have to cover the loon's shifts until we get a new replacement.

Seriously though.... I doubt you will have much trouble adapting to Japan after having done Korea

[may be going]

yes i shan't go into too much but suffice to say that japan is a lot easier to live in than korea. i lived in korea for 2.5 years and have just finished my first year in japan.

each year in korea felt like 10 but the year in japan has flown by. not a worry in the world for me making the switch. could be different for others but i would guess that many feel the same.

as for job hunting, well see what others have said. though finishing in july/august isn't the ideal time, if you're diligent enough there's senough work to be found in japan. just avoid fukuoka coz that's where everyone from korea lands. saturation and all that