Korean Job Discussion Forums

[AnthonyCWSox]

Ive been here for a decent amount of time now and I just had a talk with my co-teacher (who has never co-taught with me) about how the other teachers feel uncomfortable around me and that I seem withdrawn and secluded. They think my teaching is so excellent and the students love me but I am in hot water and I can receive "warnings" and be fired if I don't converse with other K-Teachers (not my co-teachers because I always teach alone).

This is at a public school, and I enjoy certain aspects but telling every male teacher he looks handsome and bs'ing with people who I can't communicate with seems pointless, if I'm getting the results with the students why do they care so much?


Not that I would mind being fired

[Ramen]

Just tell your co-teacher and other K-teachers, "but I love kimchi." Then it will be all forgiven.

[Rusty Shackleford]

Bring some snacks for everyone. You don't have to communicate and you can use it as evidence of making an effort.

[AnthonyCWSox]

I do communicate in fact I brought in costco muffins to the office a couple days ago and I brought E-mart oranges today.

I almost always bow and greet the teachers in Korean, as well as say bye to the teachers. I just don't see the need to BS and small talk with people who can't understand me.

I didn't realize it would be such a problem, I understand the Korean Culture aspect of greeting and saying bye to teachers and what not.

Are they just threatening to fire me to get out of paying pension? They haven't screwed me before and I get paid really well for teaching extra hour classes.

[Ramen]

Let's get serious. They can't fire you for not conversing or socializing with other k-teachers. What they can do is not renew your contract.

Just smile and say a few words whether they understand it or not and go on with your business. In fact, try greeting them in Korean.

[CentralCali]

The contract for the public schools (at least my contract with Busan's EPIK) says that the GET will teach with a Korean teacher in the class. I know it's tempting to deal with the classes alone, with no Korean teacher bothering you; however, doing so can open the wrong can of worms.

[AnthonyCWSox]

I got a sheet outlining what they want me to do with the other teachers. Item number 6 says, "Hopefully, try hard to fulfill the above suggestions. Or you can be given verbal or official warnings and after three time's warnings, you can have some disadvantages about your current contract and recontract.

I don't think its about recontract because I'm going back to the US for more school which I made clear since day 1.

I do great the teachers in Korea...

[Ramen]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[AnthonyCWSox]

Jeez, so the teachers are more fickle than the students?

[Rusty Shackleford]

[AnthonyCWSox]

Trust me, I'm not worried about getting fired.

It just is making things more awkward than they already are. The last time I had a decent length conversation with a teacher she started picking at the stubble on my face.

[AnthonyCWSox]

Guess I shouldn't be an English teacher anyway, I apparently can't spell "greet"

and yes, recontract is an awesome word.

[Captain Corea]

[ThingsComeAround]

Warning? Are you serious? You should try playing the game their way.
If they disturb you at any time, say you are 'busy'. That's what they do.
Sit and eat lunch with them and try to make small talk then. After a month feign sickness due to the lunch and stop eating with them.

-Or-

Take your co-teach/some cool teachers to dinner with you. Make sure you try the local liquor Makgully/DongDongJoo/Soju so they feel you are 'comrades'

A little bit goes a long way.