Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Captain Obvious]

[chris_J2]

I think it's now Epik policy, to replace / dismiss anyone over 40, regardless of their teaching credentials & experience. I met several other over 40's in Seoul, formerly in Gyeongsangnamdo, whose schools wanted them to renew, & they had good 'open class' reviews, & their students loved them. They had no quarrels with their coteacher, or school, but their applications were still rejected by Epik. They now work for SMOE or GEPIK (like me). I made an enemy of my coteacher by complaining to the POE about her. She was stood down for 3 days from all classes, when I threatened to quit, if she didn't stop constantly 'correcting' my English pronunciation & grammar, along with her 2 colleagues.

I think you'll find that the demo class / speaking Korean excuse, was just a pretext to get rid of you. Koreans lose face, if they admit they were wrong, so they're unlikely to change their minds anytime soon. You'll only get one shot at an appeal, & the process is not transparent. You could also ask to see your work appraisal / evaluation sheet. It will probably just show 'performance & attendance adequate'. Which would confirm my pretext theory. Good luck & maybe it's time to move on, if things don't work out. Try to get written references / phone numbers from your school before you leave. What about the other 10 schools? Do you have good references from some of them?

[asylum seeker]

I've found most Koreans in positions of power who speak even a modicum of English hate being spoken to in Korean by a foreigner. I believe that it's because English is such a status symbol here that it's perceived as a huge loss of face. My manager can't speak any English at all and doesn't even try (he uses a Korean teacher as a go-between) but when I was insolent enough to try to speak to him in Korean he screwed up his face and turned away as though I had gravely insulted him. The ironic thing is he's quite happy to lecture the gyopo who works here in Korean even though he knows far less than me. Appearances supercede all else here.

[Fox]

Really sorry to hear about your problem, tomato. I'm not sure where you work currently, but assuming you can't turn things around, have you considered 강원도? I work up here, and it sounds like you could find what you're looking for here. My own school of just 150 children is absolutely wonderful. Friendly, helpful co-teachers that seem genuinely happy for me to be here. Occasional use of Korean in the classroom to supplement the lesson not just smiled upon, but met with enthusiasm. My co-teachers actually spare me the demo lessons entirely; they know they're an annoying, meaningless thing, so they don't waste my time with them. It's wonderful.

See if you can't give it a try. I've seen some older people around out here, your age might not be an issue.

[chris_J2]

[Fox]

[chris_J2]

Thanks Fox. Both 'tomato' & I appreciate that.

[son of coco]

[tomato]

I appreciate all of your messages and I wish I had more time to comment on them.
I will later.

Right now, I'm not so depressed, because I just got a message from a guy who runs an English immersion school in 파주.
He says that the school has a music program.
He didn't say whether or not he needed a music specialist,
but if he does, then I'll get the job for sure.

[nautilus]

[tomato]

That seems to be true of any lone minority member in a workplace.
I heard a woman say that whenever she was the only woman in a workplace, she "had to walk on water."
That is exactly my experience in most workplaces where I was the only male.

[yingwenlaoshi]

[chris_J2]

[Zebra12]

That's too bad. They really have little sense of how to improve ESL training, or instill basic insights about cultural values among their students. They're all so excited about "white stereotypical crap" it makes me sick...they hardly get the bigger picture. Korea remains one of the most socially backward and downright racist countries that I have ever been in...a country that appeared recently out of the dim dark ages...an island with a profound ego complex and that's full of concern over the growing power-house of China...and a fear of Japan...a nation of 'titans' They will sink in short order...the Asian economies are skating on thin ice...too many people...too few resources.

I wish you well in your studies there...among that dim lot. I worked there for 4 years and recently returned to Canada. When I was in SK I had no interest in speaking Korean...what the hell for? The Koreans were very perplexed when I showed them that I was mastering Spanish and French [online]... North America: is the place to be for the long haul...freedom, work, and good health care...no pollution (at least here in this area). The US is on a different track...sad to say. They're going to stumble soon...as they drag their economy down due to unending military needs. Alas Korea is far from the top of the mountain. If you ever want to enjoy a place to teach ESL--and that has a fine cultural community--try Singapore. Japan is fine, too.

Good luck there...may the luck of the Irish be with you! Try Mongolia...Ulaanbaatar is a cool community...low pay but vibrant culture. (It's an infinitely more interesting place than Korea.)

[ontheway]

Tomato,

Sorry to hear about your plight. You have always seemed to have the heart of a great teacher in your helpful threads and contributions on Dave's.


My advice to you is to use your network and find a great new job in a private school or hogwan. You will never be appreciated in a public school and your abilities will be wasted. But, this time, look for something where you can stay for an extended period of time. There are great personal and financial advantages to making a place for yourself at a single, good hogwan and staying there for many years.


Good luck.