Korean Job Discussion Forums

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

A Korean friend of mine recently (against my advice!) decided to take up a job at a University where he will be the Academic Supervisor. He will have to "be in charge of" about 18 NSTs.

After hearing all my gripes over the years, he is understandably nervous!!

What advice could you give him to avoid conflict with teachers? Sensible suggestions please! Particularly those which are rooted in cultural difference. But of course, whatever hacks you off about how administrators treat you, ways that could be so easily changed, would be useful!

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

I'll start the ball rolling. I think the first piece of advice I would give would be concerned with the relationship with the Head Instructor. Korean administrators often use these guys like essentially powerless confidants - a mere teacher's rep if you like.

Example: Hiring

I find that when Korean staff are in charge of recruitment, you get all kinds of weird fish that end up giving them all kinds of gip!

Often, a good Head Instructor can spot the weirdos a mile off and can screen out those who will be a problem.

waynehead · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Location: Jongno

Abide their contracts, avoid any last minute changes as much as possible, and give ample notice for any sort of extracurricular activities or obligations. Provide guidance and make their responsibilities clear, and let them know as soon as you do if there are any problems.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

Conflict is good. Open honest communication where different ideas can be shared. Show the westerners that some of their ideas are actually used.

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

Agreed. I think another would be the issue of seniority. Don't mess around with the hard earned privileges of those teachers who have "paid their dues"

Teachers who have been working at the university for years and who have little privileges like having the same classroom for all their classes, getting first dibs on OT and other stuff - I think you shouldn't mess with that. It's asking for trouble to give newbies stuff like this at the expense of those who have put in the years!

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

Don't hide behind those group emails when you've got something on your mind. Have a weekly or monthly meeting then be quiet and listen!

Also on the issue of contracts: Read the contract!! Make sure you know it very well!!!

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Hey....mm2...welcome back.

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

Apologies if it seems I'm answering my own question here but I'm gonna keep adding stuff as it occurs to me to help this guy out but also to keep this thread bumped up sufficiently for others to notice it! My threads usually sink without a trace!!!!!

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

samcheokguy · Joined: 02 Nov 2008 Location: Samcheok G-do

I love meetings. Free coffee, but no donuts. Where are my donuts?

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

This has been mentioned already, but if your friend is hiring a new native teacher, have a trusted native teacher friend scan over the resume. Oftentimes they can spot oddities that Koreans may miss.

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

ChopChaeJoe wrote:

withnail · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea.

withnail wrote:

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

.Tell the truth, follow the golden rule, and if something goes wrong and you have to discuss it with your foreign teacher, stick to the problem at hand, do not exaggerate and do not throw in "the kitchen sink." If you do that, the foreign teacher will not know what needs to improve, nor how to improve it, but will instead become bitter and discouraged...exactly where I've been living for a good part of this past year.