Korean Job Discussion Forums

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Yes you guessed it, another Dave's poster trying to bring you down....

I hit the 8 month mark on my contract today, and to put it frankly Im just not enjoying the job. I do like being in class and helping my students Improve, but the paperwork, like lesson plans and report cards making test sheets is bogging me down. I dont think Im cut out to be a teacher.

I was toying with handing my notice and hitting the road travelling but I'd feel bad not finishing what I started. I came here after Uni thinking i'd make a good teacher but half the time I'm lost and dont know If I'm helping or hindering the kids Improvement.

What would Godzilla do? Keep on turning up and picking up the paycheck, or be honest with myself and cut and run (not a midnight run, just packing it in with a months notice).

The only things keeping me here are the fact I have a girlfriend here and the severence at the end.

Ho hum, Blah and all that

[blaseblasphemener]

Life is full of drudgery. Might as well get used to it.

Seriously though, try the Costanza method. Do everything the opposite. It might shake you out of your funk, and give you a fresh perspective on things.

Maybe also, try doing your grading and lesson plans while drinking beer or wine? Couldn't hurt!

[soviet_man]

Absolutely 100% stay.

There is no sense in diddling yourself out of your final payment if you go now + travel costs are sky high in November/December.

4 months is not a long time.

The last month always flies by quickly.

Hell after 4 years, I am happy/crazy/brainwashed enough to sign on for a 5th (not @ the same place)

[Whitey Otez]

Eight months in, eh?
You're two months late on your funk. In a couple more months, the boss will suddenly heap praise and benefits on you if you are even close to worth your salt.
You've also stockpiled your tests and materials, so most of the paperwork ought to be a snap. I, too, recommend fueling up on booze while writing the same eight report cards again and again. Make a fun game of it.
Perhaps you should get out and see something you haven't seen yet. Take the GF to Andong or that abandoned amusement park. 16 weeks fly by if you have scheduled plans.

[D.D.]

Hogwan hell? All I do is teach and do a little planning at a public school. Can't get much easier than this.

[Ukon]

[Ya-ta Boy]

It must be the coward in me coming out, but right now I'm delighted to have a secure job in a market that demands my services. The world economy is looking far too shakey for me to want to cut loose and go drifting 'cause I had a boring day. I tried poverty once and it was even more boring than the most routine day in this job.

[MrRogers]

If you don't like your situation it's okay to change - just check in with yourself.

I don't recommend drinking to help you along; it actually brings you down more.

[Zulethe]

My first year here was horrible. At least the teaching part and I felt pretty much the same as you do now. Do not throw in the towel! Do your year, leave on good terms, and don't burn your bridges.

When I left Korea 15 years ago, I did so because I always thought that this job was just a stepping stone, and that it was.

My jobs in America over the past 15 years were: U.S. Army, Child Protective Services, and working for the Department of Veteran's affairs; a very good job in America with almost unlimited promotion potential.

You know what I thought about for the past 15 years while doing those jobs which I hated? Korea. Why didn't I come back? Cause I thought it wasn't a real job. Hogwash!

This is bar none the easiest money I've ever made and the least stressful and I'm going all the way back to when I was bagging groceries at 15.

I'm not saying that you'll be like me or what not, but you just may.

If you like Korea but hate your job, that's one thing. If you hate Korea, and the job that's another story.

Do your year, go back to wherever you came from and then time will give you a fresh perspective.

If after dealing with all the BS of most jobs, and if you find yourself thinking twice about Korea, i.e., it wasn't so bad, don't hesitate to come back. Part of me feels that I wasted 15 years doing something I didn't like just because my first year in Korea wasn't good as far as the job goes.

Like anything, your skills will come with experience. A new job with some experience under your belt could change everything.

Z

[Yesterday]

[ciccone_youth]

Hmm, stay for the sake of the severance, it's only a few more months, so I think it's worth the money.

I also agree with the other posters, the school work should get easier since you're used to it, and try to have fun on the weekends, visit new places, and make the most of your last few months here.

I'm also at the same mark as you are, I love Seoul, but teaching not so much. I only have 3 months left, and I need to save more money anyways.

[sojourner1]

Teaching is a very different experience from school to school. If you think you're not cut out for teaching, it could be that you're at the wrong school, having a personality conflict with your co-teacher or director, or that you really are not cut out for teaching. This is not rocket science nor a high skill, but it does require a lot of patience and an open mind. The only thing that really gets on my nerves are morons. In teaching, you really got to deal with all kids of personalities.

I say stick it out and then treat yourself to a nice vacation or a trip home.

[maddog]

Absolutely stay. You have to give a months notice, so if you did leave, you'd be leaving just three month before the end of your contract. Also, hagwon owners don't take well to people quitting. If you give notice, they're likely to stiff you on your last paycheck.

I know how you feel about report cards though. I had to do them at my last hagwon and I DETESTED it. You just feel like your paraphrasing the same comments again, and again, AND AGAIN.

Ride it out and try not to worry about things too. Also, it always help to go out on an ocassional weekend and blow off some steam.

[Sleepy in Seoul]

[VanIslander]