Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bostonian]

Looking for some advice from the long-timers. I have been working at a certain hagwon for a little while (read: a few months). It's a small school but part of a larger family of schools. I am the only westerner at this particular branch. Since I have started there has been a large drop off in students (through no fault of mine). The drop off has been so much that the school was recently taken over by new management.

The head teacher told me all of this today, with the additional caveat that the reason these new management people are here is to assess whether or not to let me go. I am not surprised that the person told me this, as the person has alluded to me getting fired once a month every month since I have started. I should mention that the head teacher has made it clear from the start that they do not care for me. Almost every problem at the school has been put on my head, from a piece of paper getting labeled incorrectly (yeah, seriously) to apparently this latest student drop off.

What I want to know is should I be taking this "firing" stuff seriously? Why would they change management if the problem is one bad teacher (supposedly me)? Every time I have been threatened with dismissal, I ask for feedback on what I can do better, and the most I have gotten is vague replies. I consider myself to be a good teacher, and god knows I am giving my whole life to this job but, like, every week I am told that I am "below average". I just don't even know what to do anymore. The thing that really kills me is I actually like living in Korea and I don't want to leave but I feel like I am being badgered and threatened into leaving because I don't get along with the person that matters. Is it like this at all the hagwons?

[Oreovictim]

Are you really from Boston? I visited my dad in Rhode Island last week. We happened to go to Massachusetts and went through that long underground tunnel in downtown Boston. Pretty area, the best seafood in my life, too. Korean seafood, on the other hand?

Anyway, unfortunately, I've heard of people who have been in the same boat as you. You're the scapegoat foreigner. It's you vs. everyone else, really. If anything goes wrong, it's your fault, but the example you gave was a lot more anal than what I've ever heard. Crud. I would not be able to handle your job or people like that. I'd pray to get out of there. They need you a lot more than you need them.

The next time they threaten you, just say, "Yeah, you're right. You should probably fire me." If they say, "Well, you need to work harder, we'll give you one more chance.", just call them out on it. Just stand in the hallway and say, "No, why don't you fire me right now. Let's go to your office and settle this."

The worst that could happen is that they would fire you. It would inconvenience you, sure, but your current situation sounds horrible. My last boss and the Korean teachers were pretty difficult to work with, but at least they wouldn't blame things on me. Perhaps they did, but behind my back.

Best of luck.

[Joe666]

I am a bostonian myself and will always try to help a fellow Mass-hole in any way I can. I am also a flamming newbie to the Korean scene. If you read a good portion of the posts on Dave's, you will find a lot of situations that seem quite strange. I believe most of these "strange" postings contain a lot of truth.

It has taken me 3 months to realize the following: Take everything that happens to you in Korea, from Koreans and put them on the back burner, turn off the heat and just let it cool. So many things are out of your control, it's not worth the energy to worry about it.

Ride it out and see what transpires. I hope everything turns out OK.

[VanIslander]

[Pojogae]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Take the attitude 'If you don't like it you can fire my any time', start looking for other jobs and let them know it, and you'll likely find they'll back down as quickly as a rude little ajeoshi who suddenly realises he's about to get his ass kicked if he doesn't stfu.

[fermentation]

Replace "foreign teacher" with "junior employee" and the situation will be very similar to most offices of Korean companies.

[Bostonian]

I really appreciate all the advice guys and/or gals, and for those who are interested, yes I really am from Boston, where the tunnels are deadly and the seafood is divine.

I guess I will have to start posting my resume. Any good sites for that, places that get trafficked frequently? I am sure there is a sticky somewhere in the job forum, but if anyone has personal faves it would be greatly appreciated.

[afsjesse]

[Zantetsuken]

I'm from the North Shore bro. Been in the Korea over 4 freakin years so if you need any advice let me know.

[KoreaninKorea]

Read your contract. It should have something about how they can fire you. It should have something about how they can fire you. It usually involves several warning and amount of notice before they can fire you. If it's new management that's giving you a hard time, I suggest leaving the school. The next time they tell you something like that, demand a letter of release. Find a new school and be happy. I suggest going to a public school. There's a lot of crap on that side too, but on average it's better.

I work at a hagwon, where my boss is cheating me (at least I think they are), but at least my my boss tells me how he's impress with my work. I'm sure they need you more then you need them. After you call their bluff, they should treat you better. If not, get the hell out of dodge.

[Char777]

I truly feel sorry for you as not only are you in a strange country, but you have no support. I'm sorry that I can't give you any advice simply because I don't know.
However, if you are ever in a situation where you DO NOT HAVE A PLACE TO STAY, please send me a PM, and I would be happy to let you crash at my place. I live in the boondocks, but it is a busride from Seoul. You can always bring a camping matress.

[E_athlete]

[Whitey Otez]

I'm in your boat, OP.

A small, dying mom and pop branch of yet another of Korea's #1 growing franchises.

An above poster stated it perfectly. Before I came to this hogwan, There were two foreign teachers. The attendance dropped hard for any number of reasons (I can and am writing a book ), and they had to cut a teacher. The boss pulled each one in individually, and said, "The parents are complaining."

They fired the guy that groveled and kept the one that stood up for himself.

I had similar problems at an adult English "center," and the boss finally got off my back when I told her that perhaps instead of AGREEING with every idiot who didn't do his homework, defend the teacher she hired and cite examples of how other students thought I was great.

If you get let go, try again from within Korea. You can find a job with some support for you in the form of other foreigners. I know how exposed and isolated you must feel being without anyone that fully understands what you are saying and experiencing. No, the last guy wasn't better than you, and no, it's not your fault that the hogwan is tanking. You're too new to have an impact.

[Bostonian]

For the Boston people who showed their love, the long time posters with some good advice, and even the total stranger who offered me a place to crash, I have nothing but thanks and gratitude. I thought I was going to get flamed off the board (it IS Dave's after all), but all your kind words have made me feel not so alone over here.

I have talked it over with a friend of mine and she has decided that if it comes to it, I can always stay at her place. This is a big relief as I was wondering where I was gonna go. Of course I am not sure what the legality is of me staying in the country for however long it takes to find a job. I have something like 30 days before I am here illegally right?

Anyways, thanks again.