Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wanderingbear]

So a school in s. korea offered me a job about two weeks ago. I took about a week to decide on it, during which I emailed the head teacher and a couple former teachers, asking questions and such.

so anyway, I emailed them again a week ago saying that I would accept the position, and I'm excited for this opportunity blah blah standard stuff. the head teacher and I have been emailing each other this past week, mainly about getting all my documents together so I can mail them out for the E-2 visa. I have everything ready to go, except for the personalized contract that I need to sign, and mail in with everything else.

Then last night he emails me saying that the position that starts in early April (the position I was hired for) has been subsequently filled. He asked what I thought about teaching kindergarten and elementary kids, starting in late April. I had agreed to a job teaching older students starting in early April, and so this came as a huge surprise to me.

All throughout this process I showed concern about a school treating a teacher well, and with respect. The head teacher has reassured me many times over that this school treats their teachers with respect and then they pull something like this.

Is this a red flag? Should I not consider a school that does something like this? I realize that I have yet to sign the contract, but they offered me a job and showed me a blank contract and I accepted. They acknowledged my acceptance and started me on the process.

I guess I'm asking if this a big deal? It seems like it to me, but then again I'm seeking my first teaching job and there is a lot that I don't know.

[linky123]

That's why you should have been applying for multiple places. Until you sign the contract, you are in control of which hagwon to pick and choose. When you have all you marbles on one bowl, they have you by the balls.

[TBirdMG]

I agree with the previous poster. Until the visa issuance number is delivered, you have secured nothing. No job, no agreement. So what you need to do is begin discussing opportunities with 3 or 4 different recruiters, decide which one offers the best terms, best communication, etc. Once you feel comfortable with one offer (or as most comfortable as possible), sign a contract and submit it with your documents to the recruiter. The recruiter will then take all the papers and, with cooperation from the school, go get your visa number.
If ever the recruiter tries to pul the old bait and switch, leave, and quickly. You should also have a full set of backup documents in case this happens after you submit. You can always back out before the visa number has been issued, and you still have a full set for the next recruiter.
Recruiters rarely, if ever, take the time to return documents when a deal falls through. They either keep them on file or dump them.

[Zaria32]

Remember that the school desperately needs a teacher to arrive in time for the early April position. Someone else signed on the dotted line before
you did. Naturally, they were talking to more than one person about the
position...they would have been irresponsible not to. This is true of companies the world over. I don't see that they did anything wrong, nor
do I see that you did.

[berrieh]

If the second position seems legitimate too (not like they're trying to eek more out of you), then I would say the school seems to be treating you with respect. Unfortunately, they found someone else first, but they still like you and want to see if you're interested in the other position they might have.

I think it's worth remembering that you're just as unknown a quantity to them as they are to you - you are tenatively trusting them and they are somewhat doing the same. They needed someone, they didn't know if you'd take it, and someone else wanted it. Makes sense.

[Big Mac]

They're still offering you a job, just with kindergarten instead of afternoon classes. Was it specified in your contract that you wouldn't be teaching kindergarten? Otherwise, they reserve the right to change that anytime during your contract. Just be thankful they're telling you now.

Really, the fact that they want you to teach kindergarten means that they think you are too valuable to be teaching other classes. In schools I worked at that had kindergarten the teachers who taught those classes were much more highly regarded and qualified, since that is where they make the bulk of their money.

I wouldn't really call this situation a bait and switch. They're just trying to manage their resources effectively.

[ChinaBoy]

You should have emailed the head teacher and former teachers before the interview, not after you got the offer.

You snooze, you lose. Took too long to accept.

[wanderingbear]

ok, thanks for the advice.

i was pissed at first, i guess because i already started planning out my remaining weeks. i almost burned a bridge by sending an angry email, but thankfully i didnt.

they offered the same job, same contract only starting in June. i accepted it, although i still haven't received or signed my contract. =\

[berrieh]

[Juregen]

No "Bait and switch" comments?

To be honest teaching kids can be very hard if you have no idea what you are doing. It might take you three months just to get used to it, leave alone teaching them.

The older the students get the more control you have over what happens in the classroom and the less intuition you need with the people around you.

So if you get a headache from screaming kids, don't do it.