Korean Job Discussion Forums

stevieg4ever · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Location: London, England

Does anyone else have this problem with their education office? Its a regular where we are. Constantly making demands outside of what is stated in the contract.

'Culture Awareness Programme', 'Skills Demonstration Day', '<enter your province name> Togetherness Event' they have many names but all seem to involve spending time with Korean kiddies outside of your alotted hours with no extra pay, sometimes with a mediocre Korean meal thrown in. The latest one runs into a weekend where I have plans but when this happens they start with the 'oh but so and so will get upset' line. And then come the education board politics etc etc

Stormy · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Location: Here & there

Not yet, although I was asked to write a 4 page contribution to a publication (pamphlet I presume) for an English teacher's seminar. They gave me a week to write it & asked for a "2 page essay, maybe 3 pages, 4 pages would be good" on any topic I wanted.
Haven't been asked to actually physically attend anything outside school hours though. Sounds irritating!

Dome Vans · Guest

Stevie,

Just point out this:

poet13 · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:59 pm Post subject:

I've been asked a couple of times to do things, but I shut them down. Soe they went and asked someone else here who really didn't want to do it, but theyr'e doing it anyway....

stevieg4ever · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Location: London, England

Hi dv how are things youre end mate? it seems like things are working out which is good but try not to hate too much on blighty will ya

Yeah things have gone to pot mate and ill be leaving september, will do a lot of travelling and then some voluntary work in malaysia borneo and thailand. Now they are trying to get me to stay.... lol

I honestly dont mind doind a couple of these things a year even if they do encroach on the weekend but between the regional and local office there are too many of them to my mind. It all ends up in rubing shoulders because you can never really say what want or what you feel.

Scouse Mouse · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Location: Cloud #9

I too have been asked to do additional things (free o/t classes both before and after school, develop an english website for the school) and have refused to accomodate them. I made it clear that I would not be listening to their crap any more, and that I would quit if they persisted with their "requests". They persisted, and then were shocked at my "sudden resignation" (it was anything but sudden).

Public school contracts are a joke. It is not the contracts that are the problem, it is the fact that the education office doesn't seem too concerned with communicating the differences to the schools that we are placed in. They then expect the same things from us as they are used to demanding from the Korean teachers, and are genuinely shocked when we tell them to suck nuts.

I had 2 days sick last week. It was a genuine sickness that my school were aware of, as I completely lost my voice whilst teaching before I took the time off. After I called in, the dickhead VP had another teacher call my wife and give her shit! He knows that there is no way I will be standing for that, but today he hid behind the language barrier rather than admit he is a dick. Tomorrow he will be presented with a letter in Korean. Wanker!!!

Dome Vans · Guest

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

I just pull out the magic word.

NO.

end of discussion.

The other option is to INSIST that you get an EXTRA DAY OFF added to your holiday (or other time that it is convenient to you) or you refuse to do it.

If they don't like either of those answers, I have another set of comments for you to give to them.

"You better learn English fast. I QUIT. I will be gone tomorrow." (then just walk out and go home.)

The problem will disappear in about 10 minutes as soon as they realize you won't put up with the crap and you will walk.

You can replace them in about 15 minutes (here, Japan, Taiwan, or China among many).

They won't be able to replace you for months (up to a year if you are in a rural school).

You have 2 choices. Accept on your terms or get screwed and accept on their terms. Pick one.

.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:30 am Post subject:

stevieg4ever · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Location: London, England

what makes me laugh is the pressure they try and put you on: 'oh but so and so are going' 'your office will be disappointed with you if you dont show'.

stevieg4ever · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Location: London, England

More or less what I am doing mate. When will these people learn??? they just want people who will follow their lead: they arent in the slightest bit concerned about the quality of english education here, most of the education office cant speak a lick of english between them how on earth are they supposed to manage English education.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I'm happy to do anything within reason for my school that's outside the contract. The clueless fools at the school district and the province, however, can go shove it. It's about the only thing that would make me take a sick day.

crusher_of_heads · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject:

The main school I'm at I will do almost anything-they don't do a lot of social outings during the year, they are great in almost every area [principal in his 1st year, so I had to come in to school during winter holidays, big deal] so I will do stuff that is reasonable.

There is an elementary school I go to on Fridays-a new but experienced principal who is a condescending turdstain.

"Can you teach extra grade 3 class?"

"Certainly-I will let my coteacher and the Education office know so I will get the overtime rate."

-that was, I thought, the end of that.

"We are having a summer camp but don't have money to pay you."

"I won't pay for your summer camp-but you can!"

Dome Vans · Guest

I teach at my elementary school on Fridays. This Friday they are off on a camping trip. So I can't teach. I'm off next week for two weeks with my renewal holiday. One of my middle schools is on a camping trip today so no classes. To help my co-teacher I have come into today and have taught my four lessons even though it's a day off. I have no problem with this, that's why I'm happy to come in.

Tomorrow they have the supervisors and principals coming to watch a open class by my co-teacher. The Principal had the cheek to ask my co-teacher to see if I'll come into tomorrow at 2pm (when I should be at my main middle school), because he wants the principals to see that he has a native teacher. F*ck off! "You can phone up my other school and ask them, they will tell you to get bent" Schools get very precious when it's a day that I should be teaching with them. As I told my co-teacher, if they wanted to see me then why not.....erm......why not......do it on a Friday, when I'm meant to be here. The logic ended there.

Haha! Not venting here but thought it was an kind of interesting.