Korean Job Discussion Forums

[D.D.]

I really have not been enjoying all the headgames at work so today I put in my notice.

I work in a public school and it's the same usual complaints such as being told to act like a Roman when in Rome.

The last straw today was the co-teacher directly challenging me right in front of the students. This has happened over and over again lately.

The other headgames have been being ignored by 3/4 of the english teachers with the silent treatment.

Feels good to be out of this place soon. I admire people that can handle it here as it is tough. At the same time I think staying here is nuts as it really is not a friendly place. Maybe its just rural Korea but it seams that the difficulties are endless in these public schools.

I have done my best to motivate and teach these students but the amount of sabotage from the other staff makes this job impossible.

[tob55]

[D.D.]

I am not new to teaching. I know working in places that don't want to change vs. working in receptive enviroments. If a co-teacher or two wants to undermine you the students sense this vibe. Students are like zombies in class here and little is done to motivate them. Korea is really a crap place-sorry but it's true in my reality.

[CA-NA-DA-ABC]

I'm just about to put in mine. Can someone answer my question? if you work for SMOE/GEPIK/EPIK and break your contract (and possibly even not give the required number of days of notice) would you have difficulties getting a job at the same education board (or even across different boards) down the road?

edited to add: I'm an F-series holder.

[thegadfly]

Mileage may vary, D. D.

In my experience, there is a lot I can do to motivate my students in my classes, and Korea has been a much better place to work than the US.

The problems are inherent in teaching -- political infighting and backbiting can exist in ANY social environment -- I had more than my bellyful in US public schools, so that isn't a "Korea" thing. Other teachers trying to undermine you is an ego thing, also not a Korea thing. Unmotivated or overtaxed students exist everywhere -- also not just Korea.

Being sabotaged at the workplace sucks, and part of the reason I am HERE is because *I* got sick of the same crap in the US that you complain about here... everywhere you go, it is the same song....

Go wherever and do whatever makes you happy, but I advocate painting things with a smaller brush, and using finer strokes....

[ChinaBoy]

The edu-tainment industry has beat me down so much that I've just given up on actually trying to educate and just do what I'm told. Co-teacher wants to act like they know more than me? Ok, fine, then everyone will be wrong except me.

Sometimes being professional makes you worry and get frustrated enough to quit. Go back to China, dude, that's what I'd do (and have done several times).

[Kurtz]

Good on you for quitting and leaving as you are not happy, I wish many many many people would do the same!

Not good on you for saying basically rural Koreas sucks and is not a friendly place....like based on what?, one school you worked at!

I'm sure others can tell you they love rural Korea as they get an easier ride and often feel part of the community, but as I've noticed, you rarely hear from people having a good time here, as they are out enjoying themselves, and not using Dave's "Home for the Bored and Miserable"

Maybe if you worked here a number of years, and at a number of different schools, that would allow a judgement call of Korea's Public School System.

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

^^I sometimes think that when most people say they hate Korea, they actually just hate their job... and the problem is that ESL is actually very much integral to the Korean experience for a lot of people.

On the other hand, I knew a guy who came here as a scientist working at a university, and he also said it was the worst country he had ever been to. I've also met students from China who hate the place, not to mention the former ESL teachers who, while usually not regretting their experience, were frustrated as hell during their time here. I think it has something to do with the basically impenetrable nature of the society... you almost always end up as an outcast, a curiosity, a sore thumb, a ghost, a silent watcher, or something else that most people could never ultimately enjoy being.

That said, if your life is stuck in the shadow of a job that you hate, you should probably do whatever you can to change things, and that sometimes involves leaving the country. Some jobs are crap but there are elements that make it bearable or even fun on occasion... but if every single aspect of your job sucks and it's interfering with your ability to enjoy your life, then you should definitely leave it.

[D.D.]

[Tobias]