Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Unposter]

What Koreans think of Public School Teachers may be correct.

I was somewhat hesitant to post this because sometimes not knowing is better than knowing and I don't really want a bunch of people saying bad things about me just because I am the messanger and they see me as somehow responsible but I guess in the end knowing is better than not knowing.


My wife is a high school teacher in Seoul. She said there was a discussion at her school about hiring a native speaker. She told me that the discussion centered around what would they do if they hired someone who was a drug user. She said that none of the English teachers at her school (my wife isn't one) wanted to have to be the "care taker" of the FET. The Principal said that the "handler" was completely responsible for the FET behavior both inside and outside of school. None of the KETs wanted that kind of responsibility. But, the Principal said that the money the Korean government was going to give them to hire a native speaker was too much to turn down. None of the teachers at her school are looking forward to hiring a FET but they are all resigned to it happening.

Many of them asked my wife if I was interested in the position because they could "trust" me and they would not have to worry about my behavior. So, it isn't all bad - I guess.

I think there must be a lot of pressure on these "handlers" to make sure FET conform to the culture of their schools.

[tob55]

This story is telling of the amount of fear and animosity that is created when sensationalism and shock media has such an impact on what goes on in the country. I am not belittling the notion that a portion of people who come to this country are in fact drug users and abusers. However, I am somewhat mystified at the logic, or the lack thereof, from people who are being told that EVERY foreigner coming into the country is either (a) a drug user, (b) a criminal, (c) a threat to Korean society, (d) untrustworthy, or (e) all of the above. (You can also make a combination choice if you want)

It is shocking that the "discussion" centered on whether or not the NET was a drug user, without even considering the skills and qualities of the individual. Now I understand that the conversation wasn't just about the person being a drug user, but why did the conversation boil down to this rather than something more productive like how the NET could be a benefit to the school and how they might be used to enhance English education?

As for the principal making the statement about the money, it's always been about the money. Some of the admins in this country see the English program revenue to their school as a cash cow that will make easy pickings for pet projects and special goings on at the school if there isn't enough money in other budgets. I have seen it happen during my stay over the last 5 years and while it is changing somewhat for the better, the ability to have an extra amount of money in the school budget for "emergency" needs can be hard for an administrator to pass up on.

Regarding the policing of the NET by the KET, that is just silly, and shows how little trust and value the people in charge actually have in those of us who have willingly come to this country to help. Honestly, if I had to work at a school where I was being policed all the time, I would be looking for another school.

Lastly, this is not intended to be an offense to you, but I am saying this because I know how it works since my wife is Korean: The faculty didn't ask your wife to speak with you because of their trust in you, they did it because of their trust in your wife. The "trust" they spoke of is extended because they know your wife is an honest and upright person. I can't tell you the number of times I was extended courtesy because of being married to a Korean and not necessarily because Korean "trusted" me.

[inkoreaforgood]

And yet if they did a proper background check, by checking references, and hired someone with experience and some maturity, they'd have alot less to worry about. The real reason they can't do all/any of that is because they aren't competent in the language themselves to interview, check references, etc. The real reasons Korea has any 'bad foreign teachers' here is their own laziness. Plus, you talk of the principal saying that it must be done as there is alot of money coming their way for hiring a foreigner. If they actually gave that money to the foreign teacher, then they could hire someone with real credentials, but half of it will end up diverted somewhere/someone else.

Do they honestly believe that all foreigners(besides you) are drug users? Whoever they do hire is in for a real treat!

[cruisemonkey]

I'm sure that over the past year, all long-time posters will have noticed an increasing number of 'horror story' threads started by PS FTs.

Several have said PSs are going the way of hogwans in their treatment of FTs. It's true. In part this is simply due to the increasing numbers of FTs, but also, in the past, most schools that had a FT wanted a FT (or at least the administration did). Now, the admin. of many PSs don't want a FT - the FT is foisted upon the school by the POE/MOE. If the principal and/or v.p. don't believe English is an important part of the curriculum, no handler/co-teacher is going to help/co-operate with the FT.

The problem is compounded by: the 'erosion' of PS contracts... and the fact any newbie will now probably be going into a school that has had a FT before. If so, it's inevitable they will be compared to that teacher. If the previous FT was 'a good teacher', the newbie will never be able to live up to the standards set; if they were 'a bad teacher', the newbie will be faced with trying to 'fix' their mistakes. It's a no-win situation.

Add to the above the fact a newbie will be a stranger in a strange land (not know the language or culture); and, at least in rural areas, loneliness and isolation with no effective support structure, one has a recipe for disaster.

In the past PSs were always a 'gamble', but the odds were stacked in the FT's favour. However, over the past year or so this has changed - the odds are now pretty good the FT will 'crap out'.

I feel sorry for most of the newbies starting in September... they're playing against a stacked deck.

[PRagic]

OP, it would be great if your wife could find out exactly what percentage of the government funding to her school FOR the FT is actually passed on TO the FT.

I agree with the previous poster. Seem that their just looking forward to syphoning off the funds that could be dedicated to attracting and keeping better qualified, more experienced foreing staff, and that the emphasis is therefore on the 'fear factor' involved in inviting the 'best of the worst' they can get.

Too bad. Another example of the focus on quantity over quality here, and on the quantifiable results of top-heavy decision implementation.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Well, hopefully the FT they get proves them wrong. Did your wife suggest that they do something truly groundbreaking and conduct reference checks?

[cruisemonkey]

[Xuanzang]

How hard is it to email? Just copy and paste some sort of questions for the person`s reference. Hell, just use a Facebook check.

[Unposter]

I may not have phrased this quite right so for clearification, the conversation was on the question if they hired a FT, what would they do if he or she turned out to be a drug user. I don't think they assume he or she will be a drug user, they are just more worried about what would happen if he or she turned out to be one. From what my wife said, the school will hire a FT (and get the govt money) it is just that no one wants to deal with any problems that might arise from hiring one.

And, yes, the only reason they joked about hiring me is because my wife would be my handler and not them. And, I wouldn't touch the job unless they paid me a lot and they offered me job security as I already have a position I am basically happy with.

I think Cruisemonkey hit on some good points. This school, and I assume many or most other schools, do not really want a FT. They may want the money but they do not want to deal with a FT. If the FT is a good teacher, the other Englihs teachers may see he or she as a threat. If the FT is not a good teacher, he or she is a burden to take care of. Regardless, whether the KT sees the FT as a threat or not, the KT does see the FT as an extra burden without pay. It can be a tough situation to go into.

I am in no way saying that no one has a good situation. I can only speak of what I have come to know. But, at least where my wife works, there is a lot of upset teachers.

I don't know how they will select thier teacher. They may not have much input into it. My guess, and it is only a guess, is that some recruiter will offer some resume's from which they can choose. And, supposedly, the "background check" is done through the recruiter. But, I will suggest to my wife to mention it but I would not hold my breath.

I do think one problem is due dilligence is not done in Korea but in this case I don't think it would matter. The new FT teacher could be a saint but it does not mean that he or she will be wanted.

[Xuanzang]

Ahh, it`s like a reluctant adoption. They just want the government stipend but none of the joys or horrors of a NSET. Unfortunately a lot of schools are like that. The NSET is there for token charm or value. Not to make a difference.

[Johnny_Bravo]

the reason none of the KET's want the gig is easy.

extra responsibility, a lot of extra paperwork on their part and no extra renumeration. It's a no win situation on their end. Though they can't be held responsible for your personal behavior, whether in or out of school (especially out of school) any problems would surely not reflect positively on them.

this is why the job is usually forced on the best English speaking and the youngest member of the English teaching staff.

the good thing for non loser teachers is that the stories about druggies, alcoholics, child molesters, etc constantly circulate and are prevalent among the brass in the schools, so if you're not of those the school considers itself "lucky" and will therefore be nicer to you.

[hagwonnewbie]

I assume by "drug user", you guys mean "cannabis user".

I've never heard of any foreign teacher here using any illegal drug other than cannabis. No wait, there was a guy who got busted for having herbal ecstasy a few months ago.

I don't know much about drug addicts, but I had a room mate in college who smoked a lot of pot. He was a nice guy, pretty competent and a good student. His only problem was that he was always broke 'cause he spent all his cash on weed. I wonder what happened to him...

[pkang0202]

I don't think that is the case everywhere. At my high school, my school goes out of their way to make sure my needs are taken care of.

Hell, none of the classrooms have TV's and my school got me a huge flatscreen TV for my classroom because I asked for one. There wasn't one when I got there.

Also, the VP and Principal have both told me to go to them personally if I had any problems/concerns or any requests. Also, the head accounting guy in the main office told me if I needed anything, just ask him.

I know a few other teachers who are at schools that really are grateful to have a NSET.

Believe it or not, there are schools out there that welcome a NSET with open arms, and are proud to have one at their school.

[Johnny_Bravo]

[Joe666]

Regardless of how one interprets Unposter's wife's story, it still reflects poorly on the FT-Korean relationship issue. It amazes me that there is so much polarity in how FT's are treated in this country. Any Korean student that wants to attend college in this country has to pass an English test. I believe the Korean government is fairly serious about English education in S.K.

One would think that with FT's taking off on "midnight runs", quiting jobs/giving early notice, possibly reading threads on Dave's ESL cafe etc., that a simple notion might enter the heads of those in control of the education system.

It's a little disheartening to hear and read all the negative issues FT's face here.

Unposter: