Korean Job Discussion Forums

seoulsucker · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:24 pm Post subject:

If you're talking about public schools, then I would have to agree that most teachers don't take advantage of the long vacation.

The vast majority of my coworkers in public schools over the past few years have been married mothers, and while they get the time off, their husbands sure as hell don't.

From what I've seen a weekend trip to Sok Cho, Busan, or even a day trip to Lotte World is about as much travelling as most of them do.

lowpo · Joined: 01 Mar 2007

zeppelin · Joined: 08 Jan 2005

I work for a private Elementary school. During last summer vacation, the Korean teachers had to take turns to come into the school each day and 'guard' it against break-ins.

About a week ago, they changed the dates of this year's summer vacation because two of the Korean teachers have to go for training with the education board.

They were astounded when we told them that we had already made plans for the original dates.

The attitude seems to be that it is a vacation from the kids but not a vacation from work.

Theda · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Location: Australia

I've been told by a Korean teacher at my school that a lot of Korean teachers in the public school system (where I work) like to go overseas once a year if they can during their summer or winter break. Last winter a bunch of teachers from my school went to Turkey together, this summer I know a couple of teachers who are going to Japan for 2 weeks. So clearly many of them do use their vacation time.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

The public schools generally work the younger teachers more. So, if your co-teacher is in their 20's or early 30's, they may have to do those "special" classes for 2 or 3 weeks during the summer vacation.

Binch Lover · Joined: 25 Jul 2005

I was talking about public schools originally since hagwons don't really get vacations anyway. My point was that even if they don't travel, they don't work much either, so it's myth to say that Korean teachers don't take time off at vacation. Give them credit where credit's due but I feel this is not one of those times.

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

It's a public/private thing. You know...everyone's a virgin but their is a yagwon on every corner. Teachers don't take vacations yet their isn't one in the school building.

It is all about the image.

Oh, and you should ask your co-workers how many sick days they get. If they're honest with you, it would astound you!

aaabank · Joined: 27 Feb 2007

I should have made a disclaimer. i was writing about public highschool teachers in korea. my highschool, along with a majority of highschools here, hold (optional) summer classes the duration of summer and winter breaks. so, most h.s. teachers don't actually get to take vacations, with the exception being national holidays.
I am able to take the extended time off without pay, which i am happy to do because of the extreme weather conditions during the winter & summer "vacations".