Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lifeinkorea]

The public school I work at scheduled 2 hour classes for elementary school students last year. I asked that it be changed so we could teach 40 minutes instead, 3 times instead of 120 minutes once. They would come like once a month, which leaves no opportunity to advance. I felt if they could come 3 times, it would be better for all of us.

Now, they want to go back to the 2 hour system and are telling me how all other schools do this. Of course that's BS. So, now I got to decide if I want to put up with this halfway into my contract or bail out and find another school. It's a great school other than these 2 hour mayhem sessions in the morning. I had an hour meeting with the principal today trying to get her to change this, but she is convinced that students will learn more if they are around me for a longer period of time.

Nothing could be further from the truth. After 20-25 minutes, they get restless. They want to move around. They are kids, I know this. Does the principal?

In my contract, it says nothing about 2 hour classes, and GEPIK is noted at the top of the contract. I was told by the head teacher that I made special arrangements with this school, and that I am not a true GEPIK teacher. Ok, yea, I don't teach out of the books. I work at what they call an English Village, but do I have any legal weight by going to labor board? Will they call the school and negotiate something or will it create more tension without any promising resolution?

I was hoping to get a position where I taught 1 hour or less per class when I signed the contract, and I don't know if it is just something that is part of the "business" that I have to accept or if it is a definite breach in the contract.

If anyone thinks I should look into legal options, please let me know by posting a phone number to the Labor Board. If you think it's just part of the job and I should live with it, then feel free to express that. It's a fairly good job other than this 2 hour issue.

[ED209]

Quick call them now!

1688 3651


How dare they ask you to teach!

[lifeinkorea]

LOL, I am not opposed to teaching. I just think teaching them 40/40/40 is better than 120 in one day.

(How did you know I also wanted pizza? )

[Zulethe]

Wowwwww....I'm mean really....I'm just going to start counting the stuuuupid questions....

This is why I read Dave's, purely for the entertainment value. Your post was certainly entertaining.

To answer your question..no dufuss...don't go to the labor board.

Oh, by the way, prepared to be lambasted because of your post.

[Thedudeabides]

With a username like lifeinkorea, one would assume you know that irrational class schedules here are the norm. It's really funny to me that you are even considering legal action. The labor board would probably just laugh at you for being an idiot. You're not an idiot, are you?


After 20-25 minutes the kids want to move around? Let them move around! Why not break up your class with crafts or physical activities for the kids? Make your class fun, and the kids will learn. Try playing simon says or coloring every half hour to break the class up. Play some music while the kids are coloring, you'll be surprised how much they learn passively. If you're only seeing the kids once a month, you'll have plenty of time to prepare with your seat warming job.

[Thedudeabides]

[sojusucks]

Look, if you are teaching at a English Village, then that place had better be mentioned on your visa, otherwise, it is illegal to teach there.

Are you working at a public school that has you moonlighting at an English Village? What exactly is going on?

You can't go to labour unless your contract specifically says that you can't teach 120 minute sessions.

If the school is not doing anything illegal and you don't like the situation, then you should look for another school.

[lifeinkorea]

[D.D.]

I think kids should have 20 minute classes. Two hours is a joke. I once had 4 hour classes and that was hell.

[lifeinkorea]

[ED209]

Is the 'English Village' situated within your school? I believe that was the other posters concern. Working at a location different to that on your visa is illegal.

The term 'English Village' usually refers to a large middle of nowhere compound with many 'real life situation' classrooms and are staffed by a large number of dishevelled teacher inmates. What you are referring to sounds like an 'English Zone' which is usually one room dressed up with a grocery store and restaurant. These are situated within the school.

Edit: Forgot to ask, how was the pizza? Did they give any Pepsi?

[lifeinkorea]

[buymybook]

[lifeinkorea]

buymybook,

Yes, and then I get a flight home plus severance. There is a possibility too that the next principal who is coming in September will want to make some changes, in which case I would stay for another year.

It's not really an issue that I am not able to fill up the 2 hours. It's that I feel like I am being used, meeting with all these different students instead of working more frequently with the same students. Hagwons are better for this, and perhaps I am more suited for them. In which case, I would rather make the change now than wait. Money isn't really an issue.

The hagwon I first worked at had 2 separate classes for each grade level, and I was able to meet with them more often. There weren't as many students, and I had more fun with games.

This public school isn't bad, just not the right fit. I passed up the hagwon gigs to move closer my ex-girlfriend. Now that she is an ex, I am realizing where I prefer to be.

Thanks for the advice. I will just find the most amicable way to move on I think.