Korean Job Discussion Forums

gurudanny · Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA

I was told earlier this week that my elementary school will be getting a second Native English teacher. I have always heard that in the EPIK program, it's one native teacher per school. Is it possible that they want to bring another one in to eventually take my place and not renew my contract or get rid of me? Or is it possible that my school is serious about teaching English and wants another teacher to help handle the load? I have about 18 classes a week with around 30 to 40 children in each one, so that could be the case. I just don't want to get in a position where I will compete for renewal with someone else when that time comes.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

This looks a little fishy. Programs like EPIK GEPIK and SMOE are notorious for not being frank with foreign teachers. They might be holding off telling you because they don't want the negative vibe assosiated with refusing your request for renewal.

The best thing to do is ask frankly whats going on. The person whoever you will be talking to will be extremly nervous and will try to beat around the bush. If it's true that your school is not willing to renew your contract you still have a pretty good shot at a transfer. How you behave when inquiring will determine if you get a shot at renewal. If you school does not want to renew you based on your teaching find out what you did wrong and try to make amends.

n�fara · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Location: The Island

I have heard of EPIK elementary schools having more than one teacher.
In one case, it was due to the fact that the elementary school was huge, and the 22 hours a week teaching would be taken up by the 22 classes in a single grade...
For the other case, it was because the school was going to go a more intensive route and have the FT help out in other subjects, such as science and math.

Your school doesn't sound huge, so perhaps they are hoping to have additional classes offered, and need a second FT to assist.

warmachinenkorea · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

There is a Elementary school in my area with 2 EPIK teachers. I asked to move to Elementary from my HS and they have told me all Elementary's will have TALK teachers fomr now on.

Goku · Joined: 10 Dec 2008

They will undoubtely renew you.

Very rarely will they reject a renewal request. Which is part of the reason that so many new EPIK applicants weren't accepted.

Unless you are smoking a crack pipe while scuffling in hemp sandals while beating kids a 2X4 an EPIK job is pretty secure.

And I have also heard of multiple EPIK teachers in an Elementary school. I've heard of it in middle school too but that was just weird.

AND OF COURSE, I would do what fishead recommends. Because if they didn't have an FT a previous year and all of a sudden have one makes would make me feel uneasy. I have to agree and say call them at the very least and ask what the situation is.

gurudanny · Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

teachergirltoo · Joined: 28 Oct 2006

Don't be overly concerned. My school has had two for the last 4 years. We each teach different grades. Another friend of mine also received a second teacher at her school last year.

gurudanny · Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA

I just talked to my teacher. He told me that She is not coming next week. She is coming next semester. It has always been the plan for some time to have 2 English teachers, he said. I should really think of renewing my contract before she comes, just in case.