Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Fofazoju]

I have summer camp for 2 weeks. I am in a small school so my second week only has 3 students sign up (its divided by grades, last week is 5th and 6tth grade).

Should I be annoyed that my co teacher wouldnt just say "hey, u have worked hard, it doesnt make sense for u to be here for only 3 kids, let's just combine the 2 camps"? And forget about 2nd week and have the 3 kids join the first week's camp?

I KNOW this would be a favor and I know in korea that word doesn't translate. But COME ON! Obviously, there is background to my annoyance but TOO long to go into. She is new co teacher this semester and has made my last 6 months here HORRIBLE (Ive been at same school 2 yrs). But, with me teaching a second week, it involves a WHOLE NEW LESSON plan (cant do same thing with 3 kids as u would with 12), let alone me being there for a week, LET ALONE I HAVE TO WALK 30 MINS IN THE HEAT/CONSTRUCTION. I mean.......geeez.

To make it worse, I have family coming that week and sure would APPRECIATE (again, a word that doesnt translate into Korean) that week off. Especially when the reason Im NOT having it off is cause of 3 kids, who lets be honest, odds are PRETTY DAMN LIKELY a few days will be 1-2 kids, or none.

I have done a LOT of favors for this school (I agreed to teach at a diff school for freesies). The principal loves me, so not sure if I should go over co-teachers head and ask.

Thoughts?

[Chicoloco]

That really sucks. Have you tried playing the family card?

[fromtheuk]

I don't mean to be disrespectful but you are probably a doormat in their eyes. I am in the 2nd year at my school and I also have a nasty co-teacher.

You should not offer anything extra in your job, you should do the bare minimum and make it clear you are proud of it. Some Koreans are awful and they don't understand good manners.

[KYC]

Sorry, but camps are in your contract. It's your responsibility to do them even if x amount of kids show up. My friend had ONE student showed up to her winter camp. Did she complain? No. Was it difficult? Yes. Did she suck it up and do it anyway? Yes.

Personally, I would look forward to having 3 kids for camp. There's only a few teachers around during summer/winter vacations. Camps are always relaxing and easy going for me. I'm sure you can plan activities for 3. And FYI, I had 5 kids for winter camp once. They still learned English but in a very relaxed environment. They behaved surprisingly better than they normally did.

[xCustomx]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Fofazoju]

Well obviously it isnt black and white.

I just asked her baout the camp. We had a transloator with us cause she cant speak English. I said "how about 1 week with all kids". Oh and now it is 2 kids. Al together it is like 10 kids now.

She said "oh no no no it is working days-uh" And that 2 weeks is fixed. IT ISNT FIXED IF U DONT CHOSE TO MAKE IT FIXED. She is the vacation day nazi and im SOOO sick of it. When I re-signed my contract I did it on the assumption I woul dhave same co-teacher (after all, that is what MAKEs or BREAKS ur stint here), but she came in in March and it has been NOTHING but...NOTHING but poblems. This is just the icing on the cake.

So when I heard the "working days and fixed' I walked out. I ddint want to hear anymore. NOTHING BUT PROBLMES.

WE ALL KNOW VACATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS NOT FIXED. It is SOLEY the discretion of the principal.

While everyone says they will be happy with only 3 kids cause they get to plan I get. BUt, I have been given NO time to do this. Because I am in a small school I also have to plan 20 classes a week. I have to plan for 1st week of camp...15 hours of activities, and now Im expected to plan for 2 kids. And if one doesnt show up, yes, its me and Junior picking our butts. I DONT relish the idea of only teaching 2 kids.

I understand a camp is in my contract, liek I said, it IS a favor and my LAST co teacher would have done it.

She asked the 2 kids what they want, they said the week alone, so they get it. It pisses me off that *I* dont have any say. Like I said, my cool co-teacher before would have TOTALLY UNDERSTOOD the WASTE of energy on my part in this.

Oh and today I had to walk UNDER a bulldozers arm because of the contruction being done on the way to work. Oh but walk 30 mins school! ITS FINE!

I hate korea. I really do

[xCustomx]

[fromtheuk]

I am well-mannered, but when Koreans start to take liberties, I feel it is necessary to do what I am employed to do, without anything extra.

I have always been civil, but when my Korean colleagues changed their attitude for no good reason I also amended my approach too.

It's not rocket science.

To the OP, I advise you to do what the contract states but don't burn yourself out over people who probably don't care about you at all anyway.

Lastly, please listen to everything xcustomx says. I wish I could do extra work for the sake of getting a few extra crumbs from my ever-so-kind Korean employer. (Not)

My co-teacher is currently preparing the students for the forthcoming summer English festival. I recently explained to her I am entitled to an hour lunch break, because she was trying to say I must work during it as and when it's appropriate. If I didn't speak up, I'd probably be working during lunch right now.

I'm not attending that English festival because I have my contract renewal break during it.

So, you must assert yourself, otherwise you'll be cleaning the toilets or making a school newspaper instead.

[Fofazoju]

can i get in trouble for showing movies all week and then having a small discussion about the movie at the end?

Clearly im pissed off.

[ttompatz]

2 kids, 5th and 6th grade..... just play and have fun.
Board games, video clips. u-tube (let them see what they can find) if you have a computer handy, soda/vinegar rockets (empty cola bottle, a bottle of vinegar and box of baking soda (40 minutes to make and 40 minutes to fly).

Save your movie until / and make hotdogs on the last day.

Toss the books and pencils away. Since you have to do it, make the best of it and have fun with the kids.... they learn more real English by doing stuff (task based learning and TPR) and talking to you than they would from any book.

.

[it's full of stars]

One day review baseball vocab, the next day play it. Show movies too.

Why don't you use the Sicillian tactic of having all acrimonious discussions near a flight of stairs. If a certain party doesn't like the way the wind is blowing, a "nudge in the right direction" can move things along to your satisfaction .

[xCustomx]

[fromtheuk]

Well, I must congratulate you, that is a good deal you've got.

Personally, I'd rather not make any extra effort and get the standard contract. The previous native at my school worked really hard at the job and socially but she got nothing extra. The kind of Principal you have is a major factor in what benefits you can get.

I just did my summer camp lesson plan in 5 minutes. I amended the spring camp lesson plan and I'll hand it in next week. I don't believe they actually asked for my spring camp lesson plan, but who cares (not me).

[Fofazoju]