Korean Job Discussion Forums

[irwinpryce]

Hi,
I currently work in a Kindergarten Hagwon and am less tan satisfied with it. I have to work 40 hours a week, 30 hours of which are for teaching with the rest left as prep time (I must remain on site.)

I have had a few issues with my emplyer, late pay e.t.c.

I am not teaching a full 30 hours a week, as they don't have the classes for this. This morning I was told that I must spend 2 afternoons a week phoning the students to talk in English to them for 5 minutes each.

There is no mention of this in my contract, and I fail to see how this could classify as 'teaching.' I am not ammused at this request and see it as exploitation, a degrading gimmick marketing tool. It seems very strange.

Can I refuse? Is this normal? Does anyone else do this?

Thanks

[plynx]

it's not specifically written in your contract, but your contract might perhaps (as most do) mention that you have a to perform a range of duties pertaining to teaching. calling your students is one of them. i do the same thing - once a month, for two days, five minutes per student. if this is a fight you'd really like to pick, then have at it. but if your employer is paying you late and you have additional problems, i'd say there are more important issues at hand.

[plynx]

and judging from your other post, you seem to really want to get out of working your hours. why did you sign this particular contract?

[irwinpryce]

It really was all I could get, I tried for loads of jobs and they all refused me because of my accent.

The contract semmed fair at the time, however the problems I have with my job relate to my employer not sticking to the contract, and my growing dislike for young Korean children. (2 things I did not realise prior to singing.)

The contract makes no mention of phone calls, and does not have any clause which they could fall back on.

B.T.W With regards to my other post, read the part where I quoted the contract, there is nothing written about putting in an extra 10 hours prep time.

Thanks for your interest and help anyway.

[ttompatz]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Oh you just brought up a pile a horrible memories. For little kids who are beginners it is just so pointless. See if you can get the kid to sing you a song you taught them to help kill the time.

[bobranger]

If you decide to do it, make sure there is some sort of material to cover. Insist they buy a book (let's go series is good because it has a lot of pictures) do a page a day. Make some more demands and maybe they will back off. If you want to be really crafty record your lesson and just play it over the phone. No need to listen to thier responses. btw what is the accent?

[yingwenlaoshi]

"I don't want to phone students."

End of story.

[Sadebugo1]

There is nothing more humiliating than being 30-something, calling up one of your young students, having his mother answer, and then saying "Is Batman there?" All our students had nicknames and we had to use them. Ahhh, those were the days.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[ckub]

My situation is exactly the same as the OP. At first, I even taught he was one of my colleague! Anyway, starting next wee this phone teaching thing. I'm just afraid the children won't be able to even follow the script we will give them. Anyway, we'll see how it goes... Not very happy about losing some of my prep time to do this but I can't say no.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[StrayCat]

Adult phoning little kids and pestering them! I can see the headlines now. What are you gonna discuss with the tiny tots, play dates?

You must be a young and inexperienced 'teacher' to even consider it. At least you put it on this board. No, don't 'bide your time'. As one poster has already said; just say no. End of story.

[Young FRANKenstein]