Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sophocles]

What are you tired of thinking/arguing about?

1. Pension - not getting it and this being illegal
2. Taxes - being pretty sure the Korean government isn't getting it from my hogwan
3. Apartments - FTs thinking their apartment is free when it's as much a part of your pay as your paycheck.
4. Worrying about the financial situaiton of my school
5. My money-grubbing employers in general

It makes me very tired to complain and think about this stuff everyday... but I just can't help myself.

What's your beef?

[rhinocharge64]

None. Perhaps you should get another job. It sounds like Hogwon hell.

[oldfatfarang]

I had 2 years of that nonsense. Losing sleep every month worrying whether I'd be paid or not. Worrying whether I'd have to take the boss to the bank - AGAIN.

So I switched to a public school. I was just thinking today - how I don't worry about all those points you raised anymore. But then again, I have a whole new lot of stuff to worry about - co-teachers, passive-learning students - 38 kids in a class, having to watch (and hear) lovely kids being beaten on a daily basis, and quietly having my communicative lessons turned into a Confucian dancing monkey show. Ahh, Korea. Don't you just love it?

[pocariboy73]

I don't miss those days at all (the backstabbing, lying, cheating, stealing, etc).

Sad/unfortunate thing, however, the paranoia and distrust to a large degree remains with me 5 years after the fact, even though my situation has changed 150% for the better.

The saying, "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" really is true.

[blaseblasphemener]

Kids who don't know how to say "here" when I call attendance.

Kids who don't know when to shut the *beep* up.

The school secretary, when she pretends to not understand something in English if she doesn't want to do it.

Kids who ask stupid, inane questions just so you will look at them.

Jackasses who go out of their way to park in crosswalks. These people seriously need a 2X4 to the head.

[pocariboy73]

I'm tired of watching people who are NOT handicapped, and don't have the special sign on their window, park their cars in the Handicapped Only Parking Spot, while the person who IS handicapped ends up having to park far away. Happens all the time at my apartment complex and makes me sick.

NO RESPECT!

[Ilsanman]

1. People smacking and cracking gum. Seriously, it's a completely unnecessary action.

2. Ajosshis that spread their legs out in the subway as if they have glass balls. Add in anewspaper and it makes it worse.

3. Those crazy christians that think its their job to preach to the 'sinners'.

4. People who think it's cool to speak in ebonics.

5. Kids that think it's okay to swear, as long as it's not in their native tongue.

[garykasparov]

EDIT

[butlerian]

[kimchi story]

Well, I'll bite 'cause I'm pissy tonight.

[garykasparov]

Q: What are you tired of thinking/arguing about?

[Fresh Prince]

Mosquitos (mogi).

Back home they are five times as big and when they bite it hurts but at least there is no swelling, itching, etc. Here, they are tiny little buggers that are almost invisible and when they bite, you don't even feel them. That sounds great except for the fact that they leave massive hemorrages that itch for a week and they even spread like poison ivy if you scratch them.

[Treefarmer]

just the fact that the three foreign teachers at my school all have a couple of years experience and one of us has CELTA and TEFL certs, and we still have to teach repetition repetition repetition, and it plainly doesn't work cos the kids don't know how to answer simple questions unless the FTs have gone outside of the curriculum and taught them how to answer a simple question. the amount of money this country spends on foreign teaching, but none of it goes into developing it, it's just a stupid tax

[swetepete]

Most hagwons are vile, for sure. But, they aren't always...my current hagwon gig trumps ANY ministry gig I know of. I boldface uppercase italicise that shit for sure. 2.5, 7 weeks vacation, small elite classes of kids who wanna learn...
Keeo your eyes open. Look for newly opened hagwons, looking for good experienced teachers; look slightly outside of the proper cities...this is a cash cow, if you play it right. Milk those dillapidated teats for all they're worth. Think outside the proverbial box. And remember that those first few shytte gigs are a means to an end...

In 6 months tho, they may decide to not pay me what they owe, and I guess we'll see who's lauging then, huh?

[blaseblasphemener]