Korean Job Discussion Forums

spoonface · Joined: 30 Oct 2008

I've been in korea and working at my hogwan for going on 4 months and I don;t think i can last another 8. I was going to wait til Dec and see if i t improved and then tell my boss I'd be leaving in Jan, but since then I've read more than a few horror stories of being screwed over. I don;t want korea to be a bad experience, I'd ideally like to transfer jobs, but is that possible? I don't think he's going to let me go gracefully and i have no experience in this, it's my first teaching job! I've been told he needs to give me permission to be re-employed? I'd really like to hear from anyone who has broken their contract and what happened. Another option that I've been considering is the old midnight run, but that's a last, last LAST resort that I don't want to do and surely that's going to destroy my chances of future teaching?? Has anyone successfully transferred? What happens if I do just leave, do I get 'blacklisted' or anything?
Please help!!

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

First time teachers often have growing pains. Maybe the problem is you haven't gotten used to many facets of teaching ESL/ESOL. Perhaps you should look in the mirror and ask yourself these reasonable questions:

1. Is the problem really ME? Do I need to make adjustments to my overall outlook?

2. If 1 is true and I don't change my ways, will I see just more of the same at the next gig?

3. If 1 is false, what can I do to minimize a repeat of the same experience?

Amateur teachers often have big problems adjusting when starting out, especially if they're young-uns.

What exactly is going down at this gig? What is putting that frown in your post?

spoonface · Joined: 30 Oct 2008

thanks for replying. When i arrived my boss was (sort of) smiley and although his english is shockingly bad, he made an effort and as did I. but a week and a half in I got sick and was rushed to hospital. the docs wanted to keep me in but my boss said no. the doctors then told him i needed to visit the hospital everyday for treatment and again he said no, "every other day". this then propelled in to him not speaking to me and constantly being angry, huffing and puffing and tutting at me. my mum (regrettably) contacted my coordinator and complained about my treatment which only made matters worse as nothing was resolved and my boss became even more aggravated with me. since that happened he has stopped communicating with me, when i say "hello" "how are you?" "can i ask you a question...?" anything, the guy either completely avoids eye contact and ignores me or grunts and sighs at me. the teacher turn over is incredible, i have stayed in contact with 3 of the previous korean teachers who have quit, because of him, and they say that when they worked there they were also depressed and felt constantly uncomfortable because of his attitude. There is no communication between anyone. I know its my first job, and maybe I am being a big baby about this, but my salary is also lower than what i agreed to and every day i dread going to school. I worked really hard to get here, and I REALLY want it to work. I know things could be a hell of a lot worse and I'll almost certainly end up staying because leaving is too much of a hassle, but if i could transfer....hmm What's your work atmosphere like? Your boss? co-workers?

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

So quit

(but make sure you have a full set of documents (CRC, degree, transcripts, etc) to apply for a new visa before you do).

a) Get paid.
b) To to a new residence (yeogwan, goshiwon, etc).
c) Go to immigration and tell them that you quit.
d) GET AN EXIT ORDER from immigration.
e) Find a new job (before your exit order expires).
f) Do your visa run and come back to your new job on your new visa.

.

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

Provence · Joined: 18 Oct 2008 Location: South Korea

I am also having a similiar problem with my hagwon. Although this is my first year teaching, I am positive I am not having "growing pains." My hagwon boss has already broken the contract with me on several occasions and I have only been here for two months. I really can't imagine staying for another 10 months.
Is it really possible to leave my school and work for another school? I am really confused on all the first year E-2 visa rules. I was hoping to look for a new teaching job while working at my current hagwon and then going on a visa run when I find that job. Is this possible or am I stuck with this hagwon for 1 year?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

ZenCat · Joined: 08 Nov 2008

I'm trying to do all the appropriate research BEFORE I sign a contract and am wondering if you all can give me your sense of Hogwans versus the public school program.

I'm reading so many horror stories about people regularly having their contracts broken in so many ways: not getting paid, not getting vacation time, not being allowed to take sick time (to go to the hospital??!!?)--but it does seem like it's usually Hogwans.

Has anyone had these things happen with a goverment contract?

Thanks for any input you can offer!