Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mr_Anderson]

Hi,
Okay my school (in the form of my co-teacher/handler) expects me to do prep-work and lesson-planning work (for winter camps mainly) in my own free time. Altough they have never said it outright, they do use mindgames and implicit meanings to get the point across to me.

Basically, I downright refuse to do any work outside of school hours (8.30am - 4.30pm), as that's my own free time. It's not in my contract that I have to do this. And I already quite loathe the job (I find it rather boring and unfulfilling, and I feel quite unenthusiastic and apathetic towards it); so doing school-related work in my own precious free time is the ABSOLUTE LAST thing I want to be doing. Is this bad?

I need all the downtime from my school that I can get, to re-energize and feel normal again from what I perceive to be a complete drain on my system. So I'm wondering is my refusal to do work bad? I wouldn't be surprised if they fire me.. actually I would welcome the change, just so I can get my ass out of this 'Zone' that they call Korea! I'm currently musing about doing a 'midnight runner', as I really don't like the way my life is here.

I've been working in a public school for just over 3 months (under EPIK). I feel pretty bad about the job and don't enjoy coming to school everyday. I don't do any after-hours teaching, as I really really don't like the job enough to sacrifice my free time, even if it is for money.

Also, a non-related issue, my co-teacher wants a complete schedule of my flight itinerary (for my winter vacation to Thailand). He wants to know dates of when I leave and arrive back in Korea. Is this odd? My first instinct was, 'it's none of your business what I do in my winter vacation!'. Him wanting to know what I was doing over my vacation made me feel uncomfortable, like it feels like they're spying on me or something! Is this weird?

Please, any opinions would be appreciated.

[Rusty Shackleford]

DON'T mid-night run. If you don't like it here then hand in your 1 month notice.

Running makes everyone look bad.

Also learn the word no. It works a treat.

[BS.Dos.]

No, it's not weird that they want to know when you plan to take your vacation and when you plan to return. I think the only thing weird about it is that you find it weird. Loosen up a little. They may be interested or just nosy. Either way, it's not going to kill you if you tell them.

I don't want to sound too judgmental as your situation may be a real stinker, but your outright refusal to do after-hours teaching etc could be rubbing them the wrong way. I'm not saying that you should do everything they say, but you need to be careful and try and be a bit tactful in how you come across.

This winter camp prepping, can you not do it in school time? Have they said explicitly that you have to do it in your own time?

[afsjesse]

I agree, please don't do a midnight run, it will not look good for the rest of us. Also, if you don't like the way your co-teacher is asking for information, tell him the truth. And just be firm.

I've been with EPIK for about three months and I like my job, albeit its hectic at times. However I would just re-evaluate your intuition to be here. Perhaps try a few things. I found it odd that none of the korean teacher's would not talk to me. So I bought a Korean language book and voila! THey won't shaddup.

Hope it all works out.

Jesse

[pootle]

If you don't like Korea or don't like teaching, or both, then it's definitely time to re-assess your options. Agree with what other posters have said, don't do a runner - you do have to think logically and calmly about where you are and your role.

Teaching is not about the 9 to 5, or at least it shouldn't be. Yes, sometimes nobody gives a *beep* what you do here or how you do it or if you actually change anybody's life, but you are employed to teach and that often means extra work. If you keep waving your contract at your school then they will quickly learn to be as hard-arsed as you are and you will not get any perks. Put it another way - if you were working in a job back in your home country and kept saying 'No, it's not in my contract' to extra requests, would you be looked at kindly by co-workers and bosses? No.

There are lots of resources online for lesson ideas, worksheets etc. It's not much work to spend an hour at home sussing these out and making a plan for future lessons. If you can't be arsed to do this, you are in the wrong job.

If the issue is your relationship with your co-teacher and other teachers then you need to decide if you're willing to put the effort in to rectify that, or if you're going to play hard to get.

[pootle]

Oh, and on the flight schedule issue - my local education office seems to ask schools to let them know when foreign teachers are on leave and when they are out of the country. I felt the same way as you back in the summer when I was given the 'third degree' on my movements, but then understood that it was the POE wanting the info and not my school being difficult.

[nomad-ish]

don't feel guilty at all! you're only a contracted worker, you work from 8:30-4:30 (in korea, it often really does boil down to the "9 to 5"). if you choose to work at home or do any sort of extra class, that's YOUR CHOICE. a lot of korean co-teachers like to guilt trip you into things, you have to learn when it's worth putting your foot down and when to stop caring what they think.

if the school wants to know your departure and return date for your vacation, i guess it doesn't hurt, but don't feel obliged to give details of flights, hotels, or your movements in another country. that's none of their business, they're just worried you'll leave for thailand and never come back (i've heard stories).

i also don't suggest pulling a runner (i only suggest that if your school is treating you very badly and you're worried they will not pay up).

you said that you need down time at school so that's why you haven't started planning winter camp, maybe you ought to rethink your current lessons and do something more low-key (a video lesson this time of year would be a good idea...). plan more independent speaking activities for the kids during your classes to minimize your talking time and give you a break. think surveys, role-plays, writing & presenting to the class, etc.

good luck, and everyone feels like you do right now around the 3 month mark, you're definitely not alone in this!

[Draz]

[Seoul'n'Corea]

[marlow]

[Draz]

[Ramen]

OP, if you feel like doing a midnight run, go for it. Go find yourself some sanity elsewhere.

And who cares if doing a runner may look bad for other FTs. You doing a runner may actually help the other FTs. They will be more considerate to the next FT knowing that he/she may do a runner.

Also, next time don't tell your co-teachers/handlers of your future plans, i.e. vacation, holiday, future employment, etc. It's always better to keep repeating, "I don't know what I'm gonna do yet." and leave it at that.

Good luck.

[nomad-ish]

[nycgrl99]

I'm sorry you dislike your job so much, OP. I agree, this job can really be monotonous sometimes, but you should try to make the most of this experience. I'm not sure what things are like at your school, but I have tried to break up the monotony by infusing a little creativity into your classes. Turning this "HowareyouI'msickOhthatstoobad" English curriculum into a fun, interactive and truly satisfying experience can be a challenge, but pretty satisfying if you meet it.

Also, as somebody said earlier in this thread, working beyond required hours is part of the job. Teachers everywhere have to deal with this. Obviously, it is up to whether you choose to work past 4:30pm or not, but it's not unusual.

Re: the vacation issue, I don't think it's terribly strange that your co-teacher wants to know your departure/arrival dates and times, but I think their requiring you tell them anything beyond that would be crossing the line.

Good luck, I hope it works out

[fromtheuk]

OP - When my current co-teacher started to work with me, right before the end of work one day, she had some materials in her hand and she kind of nodded at me as if to say 'You can take this home with you'.

I politely nodded back and said I only work during working hours and never outside of them. She looked miffed and never asked again.

I would say even the idea of working past 4.30pm makes me want to puke.

Firmly and assertively tell your co-teacher you don't work in your free time, ever.

And if she ever suggests it again, tell her no. Also suggest you may contact the board of education over this, because none of your friends are asked to do it.