Korean Job Discussion Forums

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Here's the background information. I have 2 coteachers. Male and Female. There is also a 2nd Native teacher at my school. He's got some deal where he teaches morning classes here and then an afternoon hagwon at our school.

So, I come into work today. None of my coteachers are around. I find it strange considering they are usually the first ones to the school. Here comes 1st period and I go off to teach by myself thinking my coteachers are late. Come 2nd period, there's nobody. 3rd period starts and the other native teacher doens't show up either. I'm thinking "Why am I the only English teacher here." So I call the other Native Teacher and he's like "Oh yeah, last week the female KT said she was on a trip til Friday and the Male KT said no classes so they told me that I can stay at home."

WTF?!?! This is complete crap. My coteachers tell the other Native teacher he can stay home, but keep me in the dark. This is ridiculous. Should I complain to the Head Office? Can they even do anything about it? What do I say, that "my coteachers don't tell me anything."?

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Korea is notorious for bad communication, especially in public schools. I'd voice my concern and ask them for a better system. You probably won't get a better system, but they may try harder in the future to keep you in the loop.

Personally, I ask every week if there is anything special or different going on.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

My co-teacher for grade 6 decided to take a day off on Monday...without telling me anything.

She also told the students that they could watch a movie.

I showed up for class looking like a jerk, cause I knew nothing about any movie.

I hadn't prepared anything because this particular co-teacher won't let me do anything on my own anyway.....So I just played a game with them.

I was P**** off all day yesterday, but I realized that this is par for the course. No use getting my shorts wedged up cross-ways over it.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Roll with the Punches. In the grand scheme of things this is no big deal.
In Korea you have to choose your battles carefully.
This time of the year things are incredably slack

ceesgetdegrees · Joined: 12 Jul 2007

Yo, i waited 40 minutes on monday to be picked up by my VP from the usual spot, turns out it was a holiday and noone told me. No skin of my nose though, just meant i had a 4 day weekend.

bosintang · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject:

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Are you teaching or just coming into school to do nothing? If you have classes that you're scheduled to teach, just go teach them. What does it matter who else is at school?

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

I hat to tell you but I imagine they did it on purpose. Anyhow, you are the FT and expected to come to school 9-5 maybe that's why they didn't feel it necessary to inform you. Then again, maybe they have a problem w/ you...I don't know... Sad

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

No afternoon classes, no coteachers, I just left. Everyone who would be responsible for my whereabouts isn't at school so I felt no need to stay.

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

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

^ Why not?

boyne11 · Joined: 08 Jul 2007

It seems that your school values contracted FT more than in house FT.

It's probably because contracted FT is making lots of money for the principal of your school.

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

What a lousy situation, and this is a GEPIK school? Wow. I hate seeing someone play things straight and get jammed like this.

BTW, OP- Be VERY careful about what you tell that other FT. You can bet your sweet bippy he/she is a rat.