Korean Job Discussion Forums

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

My school originally had two native English teachers, myself and a 50 year old Aussie lady. When her contract was up, the director decided not to hire another teacher to replace her because a lot of the course work is now online. Now I only teach advanced classes at each grade level (the kids whose parents can shell out money for extra classes), and I'm their primary teacher for the special classes three times a week. I also have a couple of kindy classes to fill out my hours because the director thought they could get the most benefit out of having a native speaker in the class.

I thought being alone as the only native speaker as well as being the only foreigner in town would be horrible and lonely. Turns out I love it! I always got along with the Korean teachers before, but they always left the other native teacher and I to our own devices most of the time. Now that she's gone, I have spent a lot of time with the K teachers and I'm really having a blast. I feel like I'm more a part of the team so to speak, and I generally feel like communication between us is much better. Additionally, I have more autonomy now that most of my classes completely "belong" to me.

Am I just in a weird situation, or is there anyone else alone and loving it?

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

I'm the only foreigner at my particular division of the company I work for. It's ok, but I'd love to have someone to share thoughts with, talk to about upcoming projects and get their opinion on evaluations and presentations, etc. It's always nice to have a 2nd opinion on some things. However, if that person were a freaky weagook, then it would suck.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

poet13 · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject:

I'm the only one at my school, and one of about 6 in my town. I don't see the others very often at all, and I'm completely fine with it. There are plenty of social invitations from the other teachers here and fathers of my students that I can pretty much pick and choose when and who I go out with. They know I have a standing appointment with my family every evening, so nobody is offended when I refuse. They just wait a few weeks, and ask again.

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

I am the only native speaking teacher at my school. I have a friendly relationship with the Korean teachers and go out with them for school events from time-to-time. I have made a few Korean friends but don�t �hang out� with them regularly. I enjoy the free time, piece and quiet.

I did notice at the last meeting where native speakers from throughout the district came together, I was a chatterbox, it had been months since I had a conversation with another native speaker.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

I'm also the only native speaker at my school...a public school. I get along fine w/ all my co-teachers and the special subjects teachers in my office. I belong to all the going out and get wasted eat dinner clubs. Three of them in all...all teachers club ( not all the teachers in the school but almost) We go out for a nice dinner once a month and every couple of months or so we take a road trip in a rented bus and have lunch and dinner somewhere special like the sea shore. Also, the bus ride is a blast as we have anjous and plenty of beer and soju, and Karaoke Embarassed

Men's club we play volleyball and then go out for a excellent dinner. Tonight is the men's club meeting and we're going out to a famous sit down dog dinner...HMMMMM! And, we have club for just the teachers in my office where we usually go out for lunch twice a month. 20,000 per club per month, but it's well worth it as the food and booze never stops and I know I eat and drink way more than what I pay... Shocked

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Nothing would freak me out more than finding out I was getting a foreign colleague. I'm also the only foreigner and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Alyallen · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:03 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a lot of fun. I love being the only native speaker at school. It is like I have my own bubble. I am generally left alone and that is something that I really enjoy at the workplace:Peace and quiet till the little monsters....I mean....students show up Laughing

tiger fancini · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Indeed I have no problem with being the only whitey. Not many people speak English at my school. It's not a position for people who can't deal with isolation or spending work dinners largely trying to determine what the Korean in the soju ads on the wall are saying. But I thrive in this kind of environment.

kiwiliz · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand

I am the only forgeigner at the 4 public schools I work at and I also love it. I get invited out with the teachers at 2 of the schools and they do their best to make me feel part of the team. This year I am feeling well and truly settled.
At my home school the english many of the teachers have has improved dramatically and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

OK, I'll be the jerk.

Being the only whitey sucks. Isolation is a killer. I can't have a real conversation with anyone, ever. I don't enjoy going to to fish head soup night, and sitting there for two hours while they talk about me.

I didn't think it would be a problem, but I'm considering not extending what is otherwise i good job because of it. I'm just a social person I guess.

Alyallen · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:42 pm Post subject:

Why can't you decline attending that kind of stuff? I've only been to 2 dinners in the year that I've worked at my school. The first one I couldn't miss because it was to welcome new teachers (which included me) and the last one was a farewell party for 5 teachers.

I personally don't need the drama of dealing with Korean teachers or foreign teachers. I save all that noise for after work or the weekends....

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

I love it. I see enough foreigners outside of the work place.

zzmex · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Location: Kanghwa, Sth Korea

I have just started working at an all girls school, and being the only westerner, let alone the only western male in my school, I feel a little like Elvis just walking through the corridors. It also turns out that in my small town, young school girls seem to be able to speak better english than anyone else, but I understandably dont feel too comfortable with chatting with them outside of school hours for too long a period. So mostly I try to speak as much Korean (terribly) as I can to adults. However this often gives those I talk to in korean the impression I know more than I do, so usually the conversation hits an awkward dead-end.
At school I dont really have many people to talk to, and korean teachers are so much more busy than I am, so I mostly just smoke ciggies in the staffroom with the other blokes. Gave my Principal some roll-your-own tobacco and he loved it!- Advice to any kiwi smokers out there.