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JohnTeacher
Joined: 10 Mar 2007
Location: Ansan-Si, South Korea
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 Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
Unless you have already, I'd suggest contacting someone in the ministry in Suwon for clarification. If you phone there, ask to speak with a young woman named Wenise Kim. She was educated in Australia, and is very fluent in English. She's usually very helpful. I suspect that your situation is one in which the school is giving the impression of relaying info from head office...when in fact they are making abitrary decisions and pasing them off as the government's edicts. They probably figure you have no recourse and will just have to do what the Korean teachers would do and obey. |
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littledigits1
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: korea
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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| ajgeddes wrote: |
| Do you have any proof of this? |
proof? is a phone call anyone can make and get the same answer proof? cuz if it is I invite you to call her up. |
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oldfatfarang
Joined: 19 May 2005
Location: On the road to somewhere.
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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I 've just had this problem in my public school (expected to work in lunch time) but I successfully resolved it. A bit of a 'cultural misunderstanding'. That is, because I don't eat lunch with the rest of the teachers, it was decided that I would make up my teaching hours with free-talking with the students in my lunch hours (3 times a week),. I wasn't getting a lunch HOUR.
It was driving me crazy. No breaks - talking all the time - couldn't get away from the kids for a break etc, so I had to pull my contract (1 hour lunch break - highlited in bold print). I politely referred the Principal to the local board of education, and he then 'approved' my lunch hour - but I had to take my lunch hour in my English Zone (say what). I politely referred them to the local board of education (again) and the problem got fixed. Everyone has saved face.' And now I get to walk outside in my lunch HOUR.
Your lunch hour/break is you own./ You can do what you want with it. And it's ONE HOUR. Good luck. |
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The_Conservative
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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| littledigits1 wrote: |
| ajgeddes wrote: |
| Do you have any proof of this? |
proof? is a phone call anyone can make and get the same answer proof? cuz if it is I invite you to call her up. |
On the slight chance that this is not a complete troll...tell the school that you will speak whatever language you wish outside of class. Show them the contract and insist on compliance. |
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alinkorea
Joined: 02 May 2005
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Wouldn't surprise me if this was true. There have been many strange educational policies in Korea. But like all stupid ideas, nod enthusiastically to the boss, then continue on as before |
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The_Conservative
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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| oldfatfarang wrote: |
I 've just had this problem in my public school (expected to work in lunch time) but I successfully resolved it. A bit of a 'cultural misunderstanding'. That is, because I don't eat lunch with the rest of the teachers, it was decided that I would make up my teaching hours with free-talking with the students in my lunch hours (3 times a week),. I wasn't getting a lunch HOUR.
It was driving me crazy. No breaks - talking all the time - couldn't get away from the kids for a break etc, so I had to pull my contract (1 hour lunch break - highlited in bold print). I politely referred the Principal to the local board of education, and he then 'approved' my lunch hour - but I had to take my lunch hour in my English Zone (say what). I politely referred them to the local board of education (again) and the problem got fixed. Everyone has saved face.' And now I get to walk outside in my lunch HOUR.
Your lunch hour/break is you own./ You can do what you want with it. And it's ONE HOUR. Good luck. |
How many classes were you teaching that you couldn't get away from the kids for a break? |
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littledigits1
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: korea
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Wrench wrote: |
| Actually BS cause in the EPIK contract it states excluding LUNCH hour. The ministry can lick your balls or any other gonads of your choice. |
Could you tell me which aricle that is? I'm a little too "proper" to repeat that in public. I'm a girl. |
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littledigits1
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Location: korea
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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| littledigits1 wrote: |
| Wrench wrote: |
| Actually BS cause in the EPIK contract it states excluding LUNCH hour. The ministry can lick your balls or any other gonads of your choice. |
Could you tell me which aricle that is? I'm a little too "proper" to repeat that in public. I'm a girl. |
Actually in my contract it says lunch hour included on article 7.1 I work 22 to 23 hours in a week. And at first my co-teacher and principal didn't even wanna pay the overtime. And apparently the KMOE agreed.
JohnT, it was Wenise Kim I spoke to. She agreed with everything the school said and told me that's how it goes. She was the one who mentioned the lunch isn't mine cuz I'm getting paid for it.
YF, what's the number for the Labour Office?
And now they want me to sign another paper saying I WILL speak English to teachers whenever and however they want.
Icicle, it's not a rule or stipulated in the contract. But as I have been told it is implied.
Oh, I also forgot that I have a paper that the co-teacher wrote to me saying all of this though not signed. Though my agent has seen it and confirmed it with Wenise as well. So proof is definitely there. But I get the feeling that none of that matters. |
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dmbfan
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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Somebody, some time ago, made the prediction that P.S. jobs will be just like hogwan jobs; slowly, but surely.
This place sucks. I mean, now that I'm really leaving, I wondering why the heck I wasted four years of my life here?! Korea?! Who are they to be dictating lunch hours to anyone?
Give them an inch, and they WILL take a foot.
Not my problem anymore.
dmbfan |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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| littledigits1 wrote: |
| littledigits1 wrote: |
| Wrench wrote: |
| Actually BS cause in the EPIK contract it states excluding LUNCH hour. The ministry can lick your balls or any other gonads of your choice. |
Could you tell me which aricle that is? I'm a little too "proper" to repeat that in public. I'm a girl. |
Actually in my contract it says lunch hour included on article 7.1 I work 22 to 23 hours in a week. And at first my co-teacher and principal didn't even wanna pay the overtime. And apparently the KMOE agreed.
JohnT, it was Wenise Kim I spoke to. She agreed with everything the school said and told me that's how it goes. She was the one who mentioned the lunch isn't mine cuz I'm getting paid for it.
YF, what's the number for the Labour Office?
And now they want me to sign another paper saying I WILL speak English to teachers whenever and however they want.
Icicle, it's not a rule or stipulated in the contract. But as I have been told it is implied.
Oh, I also forgot that I have a paper that the co-teacher wrote to me saying all of this though not signed. Though my agent has seen it and confirmed it with Wenise as well. So proof is definitely there. But I get the feeling that none of that matters. |
Don't sign anything. I would recommend that Labor Board if that is how far you want to take it. Sorry, I don't have their number right now.
If it's not in the contract, it won't apply to you. If they say it's "implied," tell them you disagree. "Implied" only works if both parties understand what is implied.
If all else fails, don't speak at lunch. See what they do when you simply don't talk. |
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EFLtrainer
Joined: 04 May 2005
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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| littledigits1 wrote: |
| littledigits1 wrote: |
| Wrench wrote: |
| Actually BS cause in the EPIK contract it states excluding LUNCH hour. The ministry can lick your balls or any other gonads of your choice. |
Could you tell me which aricle that is? I'm a little too "proper" to repeat that in public. I'm a girl. |
Actually in my contract it says lunch hour included on article 7.1 I work 22 to 23 hours in a week. And at first my co-teacher and principal didn't even wanna pay the overtime. And apparently the KMOE agreed.
JohnT, it was Wenise Kim I spoke to. She agreed with everything the school said and told me that's how it goes. She was the one who mentioned the lunch isn't mine cuz I'm getting paid for it.
YF, what's the number for the Labour Office?
And now they want me to sign another paper saying I WILL speak English to teachers whenever and however they want.
Icicle, it's not a rule or stipulated in the contract. But as I have been told it is implied.
Oh, I also forgot that I have a paper that the co-teacher wrote to me saying all of this though not signed. Though my agent has seen it and confirmed it with Wenise as well. So proof is definitely there. But I get the feeling that none of that matters. |
It will matter if you file a complaint with the labor office. Try not to have to do that, though. The problem you have is that Korean teachers spend a goodly portion of their lunches in their rooms and the students have access to the teachers. They don't lock their doors or tell the students they can't come in. So...
The reason you're being asked to speak English at all times has to do with the other purpose of the AT program: to improve the language ability of the Korean staff. Given that any given teacher might be "the English teacher" in the future, it's not a bad idea. (What I wouldn't give to see strong language programs in the schools and the hagwon sytem shut down, or restricted to remedial programs...) |
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jaderedux
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: Lurking outside Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| It will matter if you file a complaint with the labor office. Try not to have to do that, though. The problem you have is that Korean teachers spend a goodly portion of their lunches in their rooms and the students have access to the teachers. They don't lock their doors or tell the students they can't come in. So... |
I teach in Middle School and the teachers do not stay in their rooms. They are in the lunch rooms and then teacher's room. If they get tired of students they just tell them to go away. Many sleep, internet shop or sit in little packs and gossip. Thank gawd the last thing they want is me talking to them. But they don't move their butts out till the bell at 1:30 rings for the next class.
But I have been at this school a long time. So I frequently get alot of benign neglect which is okay with me most the time.
Jade |
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Steve Schertzer
Joined: 17 Jul 2006
Location: Pusan
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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| littledigits1 wrote: |
| ajgeddes wrote: |
| Do you have any proof of this? |
proof? is a phone call anyone can make and get the same answer proof? cuz if it is I invite you to call her up. |
Paula,
Grow up! You have a choice. You can kowtow to the idiots at your school, or you can grow balls and stand up for yourself. Your call. You don't need anyone to tell you this. Certainly not anyone on this forum.
Again woman, grow up and be a man! |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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Steve- how's bukowski these days?  |
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EFLtrainer
Joined: 04 May 2005
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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| jaderedux wrote: |
| Quote: |
| It will matter if you file a complaint with the labor office. Try not to have to do that, though. The problem you have is that Korean teachers spend a goodly portion of their lunches in their rooms and the students have access to the teachers. They don't lock their doors or tell the students they can't come in. So... |
I teach in Middle School and the teachers do not stay in their rooms. They are in the lunch rooms and then teacher's room. If they get tired of students they just tell them to go away. Many sleep, internet shop or sit in little packs and gossip. Thank gawd the last thing they want is me talking to them. But they don't move their butts out till the bell at 1:30 rings for the next class.
But I have been at this school a long time. So I frequently get alot of benign neglect which is okay with me most the time.
Jade |
Looks like the Middle School teachers take after their students, or vice-versa.
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