Korean Job Discussion Forums

[korea.teacher]

Update: I got a termination notice today from my institute manager for not attending an institute trip last Friday, my day off when I had the flu.

The manager lectured me for not attending the trip saying my contract required attendance at school events (says "should").

The letter stated that I was being terminated for not following director's orders.

Interestingly, the other native speaker who didn't attend told the school he overslept and nothing happened. I think the difference is that I am still in my 90 day probationary period. Also, I spoke up when the manager (a) referred to me as a "servant" telling me the school wasn't going to pay for teaching a class on my day off at the institute's"open house" and (b) kept making requests to assess students outside my duty hours, again at no pay.

In my case, my students give me excellent reviews and I put extra time in for them.

I think the issue goes back to my first week on the job when I was told the institute owner was thinking of firing me because my recruiter lied about my age and he wanted a yonger person. This was unknown to me until I started work (and my age is on my passport).

I had wondered why the institute also never said anything to me prior to going to Japan for my visa. Another teacher told me that by then it was too late and they needed a temporary teacher.

About a month ago, a Korean teacher (who we were warned to be careful around) introduced her Canadian friend as a new teacher starting in May (my replacement). I had a feeling at that time that the Canadian teacher knew that she would replacing an instructor at my institute.

[moosehead]

yeah - they screwed you - sorry to hear that but sounds like you're better off elsewhere -

has your E2 been canceled yet? have you asked for a letter of release? if you can get one you can just find another job and not have to go on a visa run - which you can also use to get another job faster - if you want to.

are you ok with housing? are they giving you time to manage that ok?

try not to dwell on it too much - sh*t happens, live and learn, one door closes another opens, all that good stuff -

[Straphanger]

[korea.teacher]

The manager said the institute was being nice by giving me 30 days notice.

Do I really need a Letter of Release, since they are firing me and will take me to Immigration to cancel my visa, I heard that's enough, just making sure Imiigration voids it.

I didn't think I could transfer my visa unless I was transferring to a public school. With institutes, I heard you had to work 9 months. I have my diploma and transcript. I just need to reorder a background check.

So I guess I'll do a turnaraound trip to Japan and start over again, find a temporary residence, and start applying. One thing in my corner, the manager during my first month quit and is on my side. She felt bad about the way the institute treated teachers.

[Straphanger]

[Looney]

if he's been fired I think he gets 30 days paid? or do you have to be there a certain amount of time? same with airline ticket?

[The Gipkik]

You got fired for NOT attending a school event? Sorry, but you must be really, really slow at this game to get them to do that. It is SO easy to get along here, so frightfully easy. A little empathy, a little understanding, a little premptive striking, jeepers what is wrong with you, mate?

[big_fella1]

[Straphanger]

[moosehead]

KT - do try and get the LOR - even if you can't use it later you'll have it if you can and it's always easier to have it and not need it than the other way around, right? you aren't going to want to come back later for any reason, I'm sure.

try and be cool about everything, don't worry, it's their problem, NOT yours. try and have a sit down to discuss final payment, get everything cleared as much as possible. don't let them see your feathers ruffled, no matter what, never, ever. go home and slam your pillow or whatever but stay cool around the office, always, right?

keep posting and let us know how it's going.

chin up

[korea.teacher]

A well-liked, professional teacher fired for not attending an institute trip on your day off with the flu. Who woulda thought?

You know, where I feel really bad is for my students. That's the hard part. Some of them have brought co-workers and friends to join my classes because they said they enjoy my teaching style. Instead of an entertainer, I'm more of a "nice" educator. I used the word nice because my students tell me that so much.

Over the past months we've bonded. They take me out to lunch, bring me coffee, tea and snacks before class. Nice memories.

I'd like to say goodbye to them before I leave the institute but the manager has already sent me an email stating "If you make problem with student, you should have to compensate the institute for all possible losses suffered by the institute."

In her mind, when she was constantly telling me to put in extra time for no pay, she was helping me. She would get emotional if I tried to express an opinion or suggest changes to improve student assistance.

I've come to understand that she thinks as long as she is following orders she has nothing to feel guilty about. The previous manager who was well-liked by all teachers quit because she couldn't cope with what the owner was doing to teachers at the school. She warned us the owner was emotional and unpredictable.

Ironically: four english teachers (including myself) didn't show up that day, two korean and one from the USA (who said he "overslept"). I was the only one singled out to be fired.

[some waygug-in]

[oldfatfarang]

Im sorry to hear about this. But this is Korea. There's no understanding what's going on in their minds - most times.

Just take away good memories of your students. And you'll know how to react (always with caution) at your next K job.

And don't take it personally. There's so much we could say here - but it won't help you - and nothing will change in Korean society.

Good luck and best wishes.

[korea.teacher]

I should mention again that I was kind of expecting this since I was told the owner was thinking of firing me my very first week because my recruiter had lied about me age (unknown to me) and he wanted a younger teacher.

This came out after I made my visa trip to Japan. The recruiter's excuse: my age wasn't on my resume so they made up an age (how about on my passport), but the insitute also didn't say anything to me after receiving my documents before I went to Japan for visa processing.

The owner had already seen my resume and photo and selected me but only got upset when he saw my age in my documents. No logic here. Just an emotional reaction and discrimination. Another teacher told me that after working a month, someone called him and interviewed for my position.

The other english teacher, younger, also didn't attend the trip and told the school he "overslept." Nothing happened to him. He has sat in on my class and copied my handouts to learn how to teach conversation classes.

[wylies99]