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seanyboy
Joined: 12 Sep 2006
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 Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:36 pm Post subject: GEPIK teachers... should I join you? vacation? |
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Hi there, I've just been offered a position with a public elementary school in Goyang or Ilsan through "Think Outside" (http://www.wjtos.com/) which recruits for GEPIK I believe. I've had a look at some of the threads and it seems that most people are happy with their jobs...
The main sticking point for me is that I'm not so sure about is what happens when the school isn't in session... some people seem to get 6 weeks off at a time away from school, while others are having trouble getting even the 14 days the contract stipulates. I gather it's somewhat luck of the draw, depending on the principal. Could anyone who has a broad enough experience with GEPIK give me an idea of the more and less likely scenarios are?
Also, I'm curious about how much freedom you have to do your own thing during prep time if you're ahead of the game? Can I expect to be given busy work, or if I'm doing anything that seems constructive (i.e. typing emails, writing articles, or even reading a book) will that likely fly?
Many thanks for your responses!  |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Be prepared to spend every single day of school vacation at your school doing Camps or just sitting on your butt. |
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Atavistic
Joined: 22 May 2006
Location: How totally stupid that Korean doesn't show in this area.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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| pkang0202 wrote: |
| Be prepared to spend every single day of school vacation at your school doing Camps or just sitting on your butt. |
That's how my school is, too.
OP, it really seems to be luck of the draw. It seems like people in rural areas tend to get more vacation, but if you're in a city, you're often SOL. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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| pkang0202 wrote: |
| Be prepared to spend every single day of school vacation at your school doing Camps or just sitting on your butt. |
Unless you are on official vacation.
At least the teachers who sit at school or do camps are still getting paid the same amount. Take the time to catch up on reading, writing, playing on the Internet or on your PSP. |
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KYC
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:41 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK teachers... should I join you? vacation? |
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| seanyboy wrote: |
Hi there, I've just been offered a position with a public elementary school in Goyang or Ilsan through "Think Outside" (http://www.wjtos.com/) which recruits for GEPIK I believe. I've had a look at some of the threads and it seems that most people are happy with their jobs...
The main sticking point for me is that I'm not so sure about is what happens when the school isn't in session... some people seem to get 6 weeks off at a time away from school, while others are having trouble getting even the 14 days the contract stipulates. I gather it's somewhat luck of the draw, depending on the principal. Could anyone who has a broad enough experience with GEPIK give me an idea of the more and less likely scenarios are?
Also, I'm curious about how much freedom you have to do your own thing during prep time if you're ahead of the game? Can I expect to be given busy work, or if I'm doing anything that seems constructive (i.e. typing emails, writing articles, or even reading a book) will that likely fly?
Many thanks for your responses! |
everything from vacation to freedom with the curriculum depends on your school. I suggest contacting the previous teacher that was there. He/she would best know the situation/answers to your questions.
Though I've never heard of people having to fight for the 14 days stipulated in the contract.
Public school hours are 830-430. You should only have to teach 22 hours a week. The rest of the time is to be used for prep. How you use that time is completely up to you. When school is not in session, you have to come in and be a seat warmer. I'm doing that right now.
Some schools allow the teacher to go home after they've finished teaching the camp. I am not. My camp hours are 9-12 each day but I have to sit tight until 430. I hate this about my school.
Goyang is a nice place to live. It's pretty modern and not too far from Seoul. I know a teacher currently in Goyang. He gets to go home after his camp.
Good luck. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:44 pm Post subject: Time off |
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| Every school has their own rules regarding the time teachers are allowed to be away from the school during winter and summer break. Yes, some people have much more time to travel and do other things, but in those cases it involves situations where the teacher has been in the same school for a period of time. You need to develop a working relationship with your school and get a feel for what they are willing to do for you. Don't expect that the school is going to give in to your requests or demands for time off. Like it has already been mentioned, find something to do with your time if your are required to be on-site. There are many things you can do with the free time, and many people have a hard time thinking out of the box regarding what they can find to do. |
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seanyboy
Joined: 12 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks a lot for everyone's input... I gave the recruiter a call back and asked if there was anyway to determine the session break situation before I accepted the job, and this was not possible beyond saying all that's guaranteed is 14 days. Although the possibility of having lots of free time in an office strikes me as an opportunity to do personal stuff as much as anything, the likelihood of being compelled be in a place at someone's whim for no reason is enough to make lean against taking the job. The recruiter said she doesn't know which school I'd be going to before I sign up, and therefore she can't put me in touch with any foreign teachers there.
In response to your comment, tob55, it's because I don't want to be in the position of making requests or demands for things which I think should be clear before I take a job that I'm trying to do the due diligence now. Depending for vacation time on personal relationships with people I've never met does not strike me as the road to happy employment.
Maybe I can get a job in construction. Again thanks for the responses... more comments are most welcome... |
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icnelly
Joined: 25 Jan 2006
Location: Bucheon
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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| seanyboy wrote: |
Thanks a lot for everyone's input... I gave the recruiter a call back and asked if there was anyway to determine the session break situation before I accepted the job, and this was not possible beyond saying all that's guaranteed is 14 days. Although the possibility of having lots of free time in an office strikes me as an opportunity to do personal stuff as much as anything, the likelihood of being compelled be in a place at someone's whim for no reason is enough to make lean against taking the job. The recruiter said she doesn't know which school I'd be going to before I sign up, and therefore she can't put me in touch with any foreign teachers there.
In response to your comment, tob55, it's because I don't want to be in the position of making requests or demands for things which I think should be clear before I take a job that I'm trying to do the due diligence now. Depending for vacation time on personal relationships with people I've never met does not strike me as the road to happy employment.
Maybe I can get a job in construction. Again thanks for the responses... more comments are most welcome... |
You can ask to talk to the English teachers, or manager at the school and your recruiter should put you two together. That's how you find out about the situation. I don't think GEPIK places people anywhere; you will know before you go where you'll end up: at least I did. |
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lucas_p
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:06 am Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| At least the teachers who sit at school or do camps are still getting paid the same amount. Take the time to catch up on reading, writing, playing on the Internet or on your PSP. |
You should be paid MORE to do camps, I think. And if you take certain uni jobs, you get paid while having a real vacation.
From what I hear, many of these public school jobs are not so great. Then again, on ALL levels here, some are not so great, so...luck of the draw.
I wouldn't expect to be vacationing in Thailand for a whole month taking a public school job, regardless. |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:03 am Post subject: |
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Attention OP:
What people say and what they DO are completely different things. I'm sure your school will be more than happy to tell you that money grows on trees and you'll get treated like a king just to get you over here. Then when it comes time for them to pony up their end of the deal, you'll get a "We don't remember saying that." |
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MrsSeoul
Joined: 31 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:10 am Post subject: |
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| Don' worry about it. You can get a lot done. For instance, I'm training to be a court reporter and a medical lab technician. And when the Korean teachers leave for the day at 11:00 am they will wave to you from the parking lot. Just don't forget to pack a lunch and bring a pillow, five blankets, an ashtray, and a space heater. |
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SirFink
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK teachers... should I join you? vacation? |
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| seanyboy wrote: |
| Can I expect to be given busy work, or if I'm doing anything that seems constructive (i.e. typing emails, writing articles, or even reading a book) will that likely fly? |
Yes, if the number of blogs updated daily -- make that hourly -- by public school ESLers in Korea is any indication. |
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seanyboy
Joined: 12 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:14 am Post subject: |
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| Haha, well thanks all for the input. The longer I think about it the more ridiculous it seems that I could well be compelled to come to work when there is no work to be done, when I could otherwise be in Thailand or wherever. Kid's camps seem reasonable enough if the workload is defined before I sign a contract, but if a school or GEPIK generally don't see it reasonable to define it clearly, and don't show any interest in making me happy with vacation time during session break at no cost to themselves... well, I guess that tells you what my decision is... thanks for the advice... much appreciated. |
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MrWanderful
Joined: 04 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:01 am Post subject: |
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| What is GEPIK? |
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:05 am Post subject: |
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| MrWanderful wrote: |
| What is GEPIK? |
Global English Program In Korea. |
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