Korean Job Discussion Forums

Soju808 · Joined: 25 Jul 2007

I have this co-teacher who is always harrassing me at work.

I been at the same elementary school for almost a year and a half. I realized I made a huge misake by re-signing with my school, because I thought my co-teacher was transfering. I had some problems last year with her, but now it's getting to a point where I don't even want to go to work, because I'm afraid I'm going to just lose it one day in school.

Here are some things she does to me.

1) I teach at a small school, so every class I teach is different. Meaning I have to prepare 22 different classes a week, type out the detailed reports a month in advance, and attach all the teaching material. It takes me a long time do all that. I have to do all this on my own without any help.

No matter what I prepare for any of my classes, she doesn't like it. She always tells me I have a "western style of teaching", and I need to teach "Korean style". Yet, she makes me do all the lesson planning. and doesn't offer help with it. If I have to do all the lesson planning, then I'll do it my way. Teaching the Korean way doesn't work for me.

2) She makes me work duing my lunch break (no pay). I agreed to do it because I wanted to help the kids. I realized after a week, that she didn't appreciate me volunteering my own time to help the kids, rather it was something she expected me to do.

3) She once scolded me for helping a kid with their English Hakwon homework during break time.

4) Her English is poor, and many times I don't understand what she's trying to tell me. When I don't undersatnd her, she tells me that I'm lying, and that I'm questioning her authority.

5) She calls me innappropriate names at work, which so dam childish.

That's a few of the main things she's been doing to me.

I'm just get mad when I have to do hours and hours of lesson planning, researching teaching material, and writing up the detailed reports of all my lesson plans, only to get it all shoved right back in my face because it's not Korean style.

For the year and half I've been at my school, I never called in sick and I've done everything my school asked me to do up until now. And why is it that I have worked with 8 other Korean teachers, and I have never had any problems with them whatsoever. It has to be her.

I really just want to yell back at her, but the problem is she is my handler and the main English teacher at my school, meaning I have to work with her all the time. It's a nightmare right now, and I really want to resign.

sugarkane59 · Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Location: Seoul

Some people just get off on treating others badly. Just whatever you do, don't react - she probably wants to see that she's getting to you.

I can't believe you teach 22 lessons a week and have to prepare each one from scratch... can't you reuse/alter some lessons or at least use some elements from some lessons in others? Try and make your workload easier, because that sounds insane! Rolling Eyes

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

Man up. Say no.

Trevor · Joined: 16 Nov 2005

I am afraid this one isn't looking good. Your co-teacher 'scolded' you? I would have eaten her for breakfast. The time to let Koreans know what you are made of is up front, during the first week. She has no reason to change her behavior now because you have been soft in the past and she knows it. She has the upper hand. Why would she change? Reason? Logic? Fairness? You live in a Confucian culture where those things don't matter very much. That means that if you resist now then it is going to get ugly and escalate to the administration, who also have no reason to change their behavior, either. Either keep your mouth shut or get ready to rumble.

Next time, be tough the first week. I am afraid it is probably not worth your while to do anything about it now.

Rory_Calhoun27 · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

sorry to hear about the problems with the coteacher.... I had one of those, as most here will testify to hearing about...

looking back on it, i wish I just resigned... at first she was OK, but then i made the mistake of assuming a school would back the recommendations of GEPIK when it came to any problems.... things like regular team meetings werent that important, showing respect to one another wasnt. and all sorts of other problems...

I wanted to resign after 5 months or so, but I toughed it out, and she was transferred when the school SHRANK by 2/3 with no explanation given to the lowly English teacher.... that woulda been too difficult I suppose.

anyway, the only thing i think that actually worked at the school for the students, abusive coteacher, and even the administration is the "broken record" technique of behavior modidication. Just repeat what you want, pointing to the item if possible, and repeating yourself ad nauseum.

mgafunnell · Joined: 11 Apr 2007

damn the torpedoes, just go off. you haven't exerted any authority. remember, friendly people in the west are actually respected. friendly people in asia are to be run over

chemicalblur · Joined: 30 May 2009

You've got it all wrong.

These are tell-tale signs she has the fattest crush on you.

thoreau · Joined: 21 Jun 2009

What if you looked her straight in the eyes and said, 'You are not my boss.'

hobakmorinam · Joined: 22 Dec 2008

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

I had a nightmare co-teacher at my last school. My current co-teacher is fairly distant and abrupt.

I suggest you bring in some flowers for your co-teacher and say this is a thank you for all of her support. Write a note in Korean which explains how terrific your co-teacher is and give it to the Principal.

Make sure you state that it is a privlege for you to work at their school.

The worst that can happen is nothing will change.

Perhaps, it's a long shot I know, but perhaps your co-teacher will change for the better. If she doesn't, at least you can chuckle about it to yourself.

When it comes near to renewal time at my school, I am going to try these bizarre techniques, it may actually work. Laughing

hobakmorinam · Joined: 22 Dec 2008

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

You have to stand up to her. Don't be angry, but be cool stick to your guns and she will be the one to look like the fool.

When she makes unreasonable requests, just flat out say NO.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

You don't stand up for yourself so she has fun controlling you. Free work at lunch, hahaha. As the guy said man up or girl up whatever you are.

Kurtz · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me

I always love these "man up" comments. They really reek of ignorance.

I had similar issues with a co-teacher last year. She was a complete and utter hostile biatch, and when I confronted her, she refused to do anything at all in class to help me, didn't let me use the CD-ROM, and as she controlled my day to day affairs, she made my life hell.

These Korean co-teachers do in fact have power over you, for eg., if you can't speak Korean well, you will need their help like going to the bank, changing apartments, not to mention getting help in a noisy, low level elementary class so just saying "man up", whatever that is supposed to mean, is a useless bit of advice.

OP, just try ride the year out like I did (which I do regret in hindsight), or try and change schools. Being bullied by Koreans and not being able to do anything about it is demeaning.