Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fromtheuk]

What do you all think about the idea of compiling a list of awful public school co-teachers?

I am aware of the possible legal consequences of this. So, if ATEK or any other semi-official organization of natives could produce such a list and then hide behind their organization.....

What do you think? I'd be happy to supply my co-teacher's name.

[Xuanzang]

How would you feel if they did it for us?

[fromtheuk]

I thought they already do.......allegedly.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Set up your own US-based website and start one.

[nate2008]

I think everybody knows how much you hate your co-teacher by now. How about instead of making useless threads like this one, you print out all of your posts from every thread you've ever made on Dave's and compile them into a book. Actually there's probably enough for a hefty volume of books by now. Throw in a few of my posts for some perspectives from the side of reality and I think you'd have a work best fit for the "self help" section.

[fromtheuk]

Who's stalking who?!!

[crabstix]

Hi Guys

I have never worked in Korea before. I am interested in working in a public middle/high school because I have heard it is a much more rewarding experience than working in a hagwon. Reading stuff like this makes me think I am making a big mistake. Are co-teachers really that bad? I thought the idea of having one is to help the students to learn and allow foreign teachers and Korean teachers to help each other. Anyone had good experiences with working with a co-teacher?

[maingman]

crabstix wrrote :

Hi Guys

I have never worked in Korea before. I am interested in working in a public middle/high school because I have heard it is a much more rewarding experience than working in a hagwon. Reading stuff like this makes me think I am making a big mistake. Are co-teachers really that bad? I thought the idea of having one is to help the students to learn and allow foreign teachers and Korean teachers to help each other. Anyone had good experiences with working with a co-teacher?

do not bother coming to Korea !
my opinion

[daveweave2]

I have seen a lot of mixed things about Korean Co teachers. I am lucky the four ladies I work with at my two EPIK schools are very nice and we all co teach together. The one lady who has traveled a lot hangs around with us even, and another one and her husband hang out with us sometimes. I have been here a couple of years and I am a certified teacher in America. I know some people have bad experieices with co teachers, and it is pretty much the luck of the draw. Some schools are forced to have western teachers by the Korean Government and in that case you will meet with resistance. (not your falut) This country is still going through growing pains when it comes to westerners and many of them still don't trust us. I have worked for a private big company (YBM) where I had a very bad experience and quit, and I worked for a local chain here in Daegu (Like School) that at times was diffacult to work for but honest, when I finished my contract they paid me. EPIK or a University is your best bet, but neither is perfect and again it depends where you end up. Do as much research on the net about perspective employers as you can, if theres enough smoke there is most likely fire also. Also do some research on Korean culture so you are ready for the day to day reality of how they differ from us, you will be okay.

[egrog1717]

[ThingsComeAround]

[Perceptioncheck]

I also have two co-teachers that are complete opposites; one is great and the other is pure, malignant evil.

Some people you just can't be social with because they look like this:

[Countrygirl]

I have had 6 different co-teachers in a year and a half due to pregnancies. All of my co-teachers have been good or great. The worst thing that I could say is that some of them don't like to meet to discuss the lesson and only 50% know how to discipline the students or control the classroom.

Co-workers are the same all over the world. There are hard working co-workers who respect those who do the same, co-workers who aren't able to work in a team, co-workers who like to gossip and cause problems, and the odd person who doesn't get along with anyone. Add language and cultural issues and yes, teaching here can be hard. If you aren't up for the challange, stay home. The majority of the time you will get out of your experience what you put into it. I've been lucky that my co-teachers are from the first group.

Before you judge all Korean co-teachers as horrible, do yourself a favour and read the posts of those who complain the most before you believe the worst. It's easy...just click on 'fromtheuk' and then click on 'find all posts by fromtheuk'. I doubt you will continue to see him as the victim in his relationship with his co-teacher.

[sojusucks]

A "black list" is technically illegal in Korea, but that hasn't stopped Koreans. The best you can do is to file a lawsuit and have the company or person remove the site.

Basing the site in a foreign country would side-step a legality, but if it causes enough financial damage, expect them to come after you.
__________________
However, we could make a positive list instead of a negative one. Similar to what the States' Better Business Bureau. Make a list and only list co-teachers or schools that you would recommend to other people. One could even list examples of your co-teacher's positive behavior; it will help others decide if it is a legitimate post or a lie. We could call it a "white list." It would be a much smaller list than the "black list" and would be a good form of positive reinforcement and it wouldn't break any laws (to my current knowledge).

[Kwangjuchicken]