Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I was hugely disappointed to find out that the MS English teacher who went away on a six-month PD course won't be back for another week. I was so looking forward to working with her again and saying goodbye to the helpless rookie I've had to co-teach with for the past term. Today I lost it and punished a student for trying to yak away to him after I had started an excercise. I felt like punishing him instead for fucking talking to students while I'm fucking trying to teach. Like hello, moron: when you're talking to the class if any student tries to engage me they get an immediate 'Shhh!' and I point to him. I'm sick and sick and sick and tired of going to a class, getting everyone ready and settled in, only for things to fall to shit when he walks in. I'm sick and sick and sick of students misbehaving right in front of him and only stopping it when I march over. It's one thing to play bad cop when the good cop has some fucking clue how to manipulate people to your mutual advantage but when they only serve as a distraction it's quite another. I had no idea what a wonderful teacher the regular one is until she went away for six months. With the grade 1s when she gets back she's pretty well going to have to start from scratch.

One more week and then hopefully no more rants about fucking useless newbie KETs again.

[Wondering]

I'm still sitting in my meltingly hot apartment not knowing where I will teach. I've recently heard that there is to be an orientation, but I'm not to know where it will be held until they simply MUST tell me in order to have the slightest chance that I can even be there. Originally, I was to be at a 2 day orientation and start work on the 1st. Now, it's a 7 day orientation, I start on September 7th (or so I assume), and I've yet to speak with anyone official from EPIK despite having moved here the first week of this month. My recruiter is on my back to do a visa run before orientation starts, but since I do not even know where I will be working, it's not like I could fill out the visa application form (i.e., ignore recruiter time). Plus, I've been assured by lots of EPIKers that I don't need to do a visa run. Have long list of affectionate terms I use when thinking/talking about said recruiter.

I'd LOVE to have a first day of work story. At this point, I only assume I still have a job because no one has kicked me out of the apartment. Am starting to avoid the townspeople though because am really tired of not being able to answer them when they ask me where I teach. Little do they know that I spend my days not teaching but sitting around in my apartment in my panties (and not even them at times) in front of a fan and trying not to move much. Or, perhaps they DO know as it is not like I can close my windows to prevent people from seeing in...much too hot to even THINK about doing that!!!

EDIT: I would just like to say that any information or misinformation I have received has NOT come from the board of education. I would like to speak with them and until just very recently, assumed that I would at some point. I've gotten word that people are "furious" at my posts here on eslcafe. If it's about the panties...it was a JOKE. As for the rest of it, well, I'm quite anxious to end my vacation and start work. I had been really looking forward to working here in Yeongwol.

[LuckyNomad]

Started Wednesday, and somehow I intuitively knew that there would be exams instead of classes. Lo and behold, I was right. Thursday, no classes again because my Elementary school wasn't open yet.
And Today I had to go home early because the county educational office was having an air conditioner installed in my apartment.

[oldfatfarang]

First day back today after 3 glorious weeks in the Land of beautiful Shirts. Spent most of the day hiding from students - crying quietly - already missing my beloved Thailand.

First class cancelled - not advised. Couldn't care less as I had nothing planned - and an suffering jet lag, culture shock and 'couldn't care less' syndrome.

Had a minor disagreement with school about an unpaid 'meeting' after 4.30pm. Aparently, my DOE don't understand the meaning of the word 'no'. Didn't go, I doubt I was missed.

Two classes in afternoon - first kids were completely exhausted after their 'vacation'. Didn't bother with the second class - just showed a movie.

Oh well, another 6 months before I can experience paradise again. Good luck out there.

[dmbfan]

[mrsquirrel]

They should have told me yesterday so I could have posted it here.

My bestest co-teacher is off for five months at another school. She only just got here this semester. She is the only one to have worked with a foreigner before. The only one to really get her teeth into different teaching styles. She said she is being replaced by an ajuma.

oh dear.

[Alyallen]

Been here 20 minutes and already heard that there is no lunch because they aren't done remodeling the kitchen. Ahhh, Korean planning. I wonder what the hold up is since they have been working on it since at least July 26.

Sigh...Thank GOD I teach my regular classes BEFORE lunch...

[spliff]