Korean Job Discussion Forums

[D.D.]

This is the first time that my school has followed the book on holidays so I only get 7 work days off. I want to go to see friends in India so I will fly out Saturday moring and arrive in India Sunday morning becaue of the stop in Thailand. Coming back I will have almost another day in flights. So that leaves me with 8 or 9 actual resting days which is not much for a teacher. Then it is back for 3 weeks of camps. I think the actual contracts treat us like slaves. If they had followed the book every vacation I would have been out of here long before this.

[losing_touch]

This is a major reason why I will do everything in my power to avoid coming back to Korea. Korea is alright, but I need a freaking break once in a while. I am at a hagwon, so I knew what I was getting into. I thought I might get a holiday once in a while or something. I can't even remember when the last one was. A lot of the PS teachers I know are stuck doing camps and have a similar vacation to me!!

[teacha]

my school is also making me teach camp every single day I'm not taking a vacation day. so I've got 3 weeks of camps too. they weren't this strict in the winter

[kprrok]

So you're complaining that your school is sticking to the contract? Wah wah, poor baby.

If you didn't like the terms, why did you sign it?

Grow up and act like an adult instead of a child who only gets what they've been told they can have instead of every toy in the store.

[Straphanger]

10 of the 12 national Korean holidays are on Saturdays this year. Yes, I just jayed, but I knew this before. Also, because of the new visa regs, my boss didn't have to pay for a visa run, he just needed to drive me into immi to get the renewal. So I got jayed out of my ticket to Japan.

Yes, we all, by happy coincidence, got jayed this year.

[toadhjo]

Just out of curiosity, how much vacation do Korean teachers get usually?

(Sorry, I'm still a noob with lots of questions!)

[waynehead]

This year's holiday schedule is rough. I'm also at a hagwon, and I also knew what I was getting into, but I'm practically counting the days to my 5 day weekend at the end of July.

[teacha]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[polonius]

[D.D.]

[samcheokguy]

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

[Robot_Teacher]

It came down from the top in the past few days that all teachers are expected to teach Summer school during vacations instead of getting time off or getting extra pay for camps. Due to our contracts, we get a vacation, but my Korean co-teachers do not. Yes, I believe the real reason why Korean schools don't really take breaks even though there is a 1 month Summer and 2 month Winter break scheduled, is becuase the students parents need to keep the kids baby sat and occupied as the parents do not get long breaks at their jobs. I was told yesterday, I too, am expected to teach Summer school when I'm not on my contracted vacation. They thought at first that the message from the top was to tell us, "No vacation this year," but I pointed out the contract. This is fine to be asked to work during the break, but I feel it would be beneficial to keep it much less academic between semesters doing things like games, shows, picnic, and field trips. Too bad there is no extra money floating down from above to buy materials and take field trips.

If you want that proverbial long teacher break, go to America and apply to the districts to find one that will hire and sponsor you for state certification, but in today's world you may still be expected to teach Summer school as it's gaining popularity in America too.