Korean Job Discussion Forums

LydiaSarah · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Location: Bucheon, South Korea

Ok, quick question for all you GEPIK teachers...I'm curious how many of us have to teach classes/camps during break, how many have to go in and do nothing the whole time, and how many get the entire break off.

My school only has camps for two weeks, but is telling that I can only take 10 days of my vacation time, and have to come in the rest of break and sit around in an empty school basically.

Is anyone else in the same boat? Is there any way around this?

politica · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Location: Suwon-si

There's not much getting around it. But I have four weeks of camps, so its not as big of a problem.

You can however bring up the prospect of "working from home." My coteacher actually suggested I do this. Basically just told me to go home (or stay home) and lesson prep from there.

Other than that, I'd suggest you use the extra time to get prepared for the spring semester. Some of us would kill for that amount of prep time Sad

Jeff's Cigarettes · Joined: 27 Mar 2007

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=138853&highlight=

Seoul'n'Corea · Joined: 06 Nov 2008

Jeff's Cigarettes · Joined: 27 Mar 2007

Well, It isn't actually part of the contract, is it?

farrepatt · Joined: 27 Jan 2008

The latest contract states that you can take 20 days off in winter or in summer - there is no stipulation as to how the days are broken up. Since winter break is longer, I told my school I would take 13 days, and they were fine with it. They just wanted to make sure that I could teach a three-week winter camp.

As long as you're doing the camps they want you to, argue for as much time off as you're allowed. They're your vacation days.

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

I know someone who was considering doing a TEFL over the break. If you were willing to fork out the cost of doing one in Thailand or some place (perhaps even near your hometown), you might be able to argue for the extra time since it is "professional development." Of course, some principals will buy this argument and some won't and you definitely need to meet your camp requirements to have a chance. I suppose this would only work once, but you could always try doing other TEFL add-on modules for later vacations.

LydiaSarah · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Location: Bucheon, South Korea

branchsnapper · Joined: 21 Feb 2008

Don't sit around doing nothing. Sit around doing something. Learn something. It's a gift, not a torture.

LydiaSarah · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Location: Bucheon, South Korea