Korean Job Discussion Forums

[humanuspneumos]

Over the years employers have been more than upset at teachers moving on to other schools after completing/or before a one year contract.

An apologist on this board would say- Get with it. It's your job!- A director takes it one step further- be totally given to this organization and this one alone as long as we need you. The blow-outs over the many years in Korean TESL haven't been few. One minute the teacher is an angel and when he/she attempts to go teacher is more than the devil. Slander and stories are made to save the director's face and to destroy the teacher. Phone-calls fly to immigration, the teacher's next prospective employer, and sometimes even the police. You've never seen anybody move from an angel to more than the devil in less time. It's basically -stay or your re-zoom-may- and nobody wants a spotty resume. Yet- they leave us no choice. Basically- forget those great government jobs that require you to give the last three employer's names, addresses, and phone numbers if you can't maintain your employer's face.

[Cthulhu]

I was fortunate, I guess. My university gave me an expensive galbi dinner with alcohol, a karaoke bar with women lots of whiskey and beer (not totally for me--my going was their excuse to blow the monthly budget) a glass plaque that looks sharp, two letters of recommendation and I still keep in contact with the prof by e-mail. And I quit on them (after two years).

But this might be a little removed from the hagwan scene--I just used it because it shows generosity.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

My job was a Hagwon, and they loved me. They wanted me back so much that they offered me a two month holiday and a big raise to come back. I thanked them very much for the appreciation and the offer, but I wanted to a) move to Seoul and b) get a Uni job. I was lucky enough to get a solid offer and I told the school. Suddenly I was persona non grata. My boss tried to say that because I was not going home but instead just flying to Japan and back to get my visa renewed for the uni job that he could fulfill his "return plane ticket obligation" by simply paying for my ticket to Japan and back ( a slight difference in value from a ticket all the way to New Zealand! ). I managed to stand my ground on that one and get the value of the ticket in cash from him, though after checking with several travel agencies I could not find one that was offering a ticket for the amount he gave me, the closest one was 200 000 more. But standing my ground on that annoyed him even more, and even though I had worked well enough for him to be desperate for me to come back he refused to grant me a letter of release. I could have been heading home at that point, but I was VERY lucky that my new boss at the uni had some connection at immigration and I was able to get around not having the letter. After working so well and having a good relationship for the whole year this was pretty dissapointing.

[wylde]

[Gord]

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[Mr. Pink]

My first gig lasted 2 years. Was at a hawgwon. I got reference letters and had a huge party. I had a good excuse of why I was leaving, my grandmother was dying and I was heading back to Canada, not for another job. I still talk to my old supervisor, probably one of the BEST in any hawgwon out there. She's got my respect and admiration - enough so I sometimes help out if she is in a jam.

After my grandmother died, I felt it was time to head back to Korea, so I found another gig. This was a one year stint. I got on with the manager alright, but the supervisor and me were always arguing. I couldn't handle the idea of a cocky kongju who never taught telling me how to run my classes. I didn't ask for a reference letter, I did get a big party. Would have stayed if they gave me what I asked - but they wouldn't.

Been at my current job almost 4yrs. Chances are it will be my last in Korea.

My coworker is leaving this month, pretty sure the party will be huge.

[humanuspneumos]

Interesting contrast between the poll and posts.

I've had lots of parties from several schools (sad students saying good-bye), a party from a school (where it was more the teachers throwing it), a threat of a serious law-suit (an elderly Korean businessman stepped in and counter-threatened the director), and the heaping coals of anger- like threats and bla, bla, bla.

Still- I love the majority of Koreans I have met- 99.5 % of them. That's the magnet my friends, that's the magnet. Many of the locals could swim loops around me when it came to kindness and patience.

[just because]

I got a big farewell party with lots of kalbi and booze, went to a singing room and was told if I come back it would be worth my while. I'm thinking.

[TJ]

In my last position I taught at a government school and finished my contract on the last day at the end of the semester. The teachers and staff had a 'last day' party with drinks and food.

Unfortunately they forgot to ask me - the first I knew about the party was when I was walking past the staff room on my way home. My so-called contact teacher chased after me and very belatedly invited me. She couldn't understand why I replied "You have forgotten me AGAIN. I'm not coming to your party. I'm going home".

Sure I 'spat the dummy'. I had good reason to. This was not the first time they had forgotten but it certainly was the last.

Fortunately my students had shown their appreciation of me with gifts and even a couple of tears. If it hadn't been for my students it would have been an even more miserable day for me.

[Teddycakes21]

[cdninkorea]

I don't s/he'll reply; it's been five years.