Korean Job Discussion Forums

[perkxplosion]

Hi everyone... Okay so I am in a bad situation right now and I am trying to figure out just how bad it is, and what I need to do to be prepared for the "worst case scenario."

I have been in Korea for 4 months now and I teach at a hagwon. I don't want to reveal too much information. But, to give you an idea of what kind of job this is... I work in the largest city just south of Seoul and at the largest hagwon chain in the city (3 academys). I teach 4th grade elementary through 2nd grade middle school. My academy is 8 stories tall, very nice, with very good meals provided, etc. I have had no complaints about anything so far about my job. With that said, here is my situation...

Lately my assistant had been monitoring my classes, i didn't think much of it because there is always a Korean teacher in my classes. Last Thursday after the third class he monitored he told me he had to speak with me afterwards. Prior to this he had only spoken to me a month in about my teaching to give me some suggestions. So, this time he had a similar conversation with me about things I needed to improve such as being more energetic, more strict, calling on students who don't participate, using drawings to explain points, etc. I wasn't too worried and agreed that I can improve in these areas. I worked Friday with no hang-ups or anything unusual. Then I came in Monday. After lunch the school owner called my co-teacher aside and talked to him. After my co-teacher came back he told me the situation was not good. The owner had told him that parents had been complaining about me and that I was "on the verge of losing my job." He said he is afraid of students dropping out from their school and going to another. My co-teacher also said the owner noted the fact that he (my co-teacher) leaves in only 4 months. Which brings up the fact that if they want to fire me and hire a new teacher, they don't have a large window for training that individual. The owner also said that my monthly evaluations were poor. Later the same day the head of our English department spoke with me and essentially said the same thing. This of course was so that I heard it from someone official and not just my co-teacher. She told me that this is a warning that if things don't get better then I will lose my job.

Up to this point, I understood that my teaching was not as good as my co-teacher but I had no idea it was at all anything like this. I don't understand why all of the sudden within a 4 day period I have gone from thinking I have a secure job to "omg" mode. Another thing that adds to the situation is that I realized my alien ID card is missing from my wallet last week.

Also my contract states the following regarding termination...

"Additionally, if the contract is terminated within the first seven months of employment, the Instructor agrees to reimburse 'X' the cost of airfare, recruting fee, and other benefits the Instructor may have received during the initial start-up period of this contract, including, but not limited to, unearned salary advances, unpaid utility costs, etc. 'X', upon reciept of 60 days notice to terminate, pledges to diligently sek a replacement Instructor."

Here are some questions I have...

1. Can I legally be fired on these grounds? To me it seems like I can, but who knows.
2. Is it normal for a contract to have that stated in it? Does this mean only if I terminate the contract, or if the school does as well?
3. If I am fired, am I able to be hired at another school on my same work visa? I have read around the forum and this isn't clear to me.
4. How big of a problem is it if I am fired and don't have my alien id card? I know I need to get it replaced, but unfortunately with my day schedule right now there isn't any time.

Am I completely screwed?????

Lastly, the main reason I am in this mess is because I've had trouble connecting with my middle school students. My grade school classes always run smoothly. Any tips or suggestions on teaching middle school students would be helpful. Thanks in advance for any useful infomation!

[Big Mac]

Don't know what to say, other than that I agree that your situation doesn't sound good.

Have you asked them to provide you with suggestions on how to improve. I mean, they can't just expect you to know how to be a good teacher without helping you. If that's the case then it's their fault, not yours.

I think the best of us have trouble at times connecting with middle school students. Once kids hit puberty they can be very quiet and very difficult to teach at times. Try bringing them chocolate and just chilling with them for a few minutes at the beginning before jumping into the lesson.

It could be that there is an underlying problem that they aren't telling you. Maybe there are other reasons they don't like you. Are you old, fat or ugly? Sorry to be blunt, but it could be something like that. Koreans are weird about that sort of thing.

[DosEquisXX]

Well, do you think you are doing a bad job?

They might be trying to create a reason to fire you.

Basically, they can fire you for any reason or no reason at all. Not sure if you can technically terminate the contract. You can not abide by the contract, but the employer offers the contract and thus is the one able to terminate it. Probably need to get a new work visa if fired unless you find some deal that allows you to finish out your current work visa and then leave.

As for the ARC, don't know about that.

[perkxplosion]

I have a few extra pounds, but I'm by no means morbidly obese or anything like that. I do feel that my teaching is the main issue. There could be other underlying factors but they aren't at the forefront. Is it hard to get a new work visa? What does that involve? Also, I have heard that I have to give immigration my alien id card before I leave.... So what happens if I don't have one to give them?

Another thing I forgot to mention... When I arrived here the middleschoolers were on their midterms and I was never able to observe how my co-worker ran his middleschool classes.

Also, yes they have provided me with suggestions. Mainly my co-worker has been giving me some help. I observed his class and got good ideas as far as relating to Korea more with English, and also having more of an open, fun, discussion at the start of class. He also observed mine for the first time this week. He told me he noticed that I needed a lot more control of the students. I feel like if I would have observed his middle school teaching, and he had observed my teaching months ago this issue would have neve come up.

[ED209]

Being a good teacher isn't enough.

You have to 'fit in'. What is your relationship like with management and your co-workers?

Also the school may not be replacing, they may simply be unable to afford you. Have you noticed a downturn in students recently?

Get your documents, tell immigration your problem with the ID card, then look for a fresh start. Or start looking now.

[teacherinseoul]

I don't pretend to be an authority on this matter, but you're asking for opinions...

It sounds very bad. Furthermore, the provisos in your contract make it sound like the person in charge is nasty (I am not accusing your co-workers of anything; your one co-worker's advice seemed good).

You should find your ARC card as soon as possible, or get a new one (ASAP) and expect the worst. It's "easy hire, easy fire" over here. Good luck! Your attitude towards teaching seems above average, for what it's worth.

[CentralCali]

You're being set up for termination. Your best bet is probably to pull a runner.

[Skippy]

Good Post! Filled with details. That already says to me that you are not an idiot. You seen quite intelligent.

First off I do not think you are being set up. You have only been here four months. If this was happening around 10 or 11 month I would be suspicious. I suspect this school and you do not fit.

Thru one thin that makes me a little suspicious of the school is the old - "parents have been complaining" sctick. Maybe the school is doing its paper work ahead of time. Many contracts say that teachers will be given (3 usually) warnings. So what schools do is complain two times before hand. Expect maybe another warning at 8 months. Then blam a warning at 11 months with the "hey you where warned three times" Oh do go to the labour board we have proof.

As people comment get your paperwork together now. ALso you will needed to has outwith your school about what will happen with flights, pay and so on. If your lucky you will walk away with little loss of pay and maybe onto a better job without a travel to Japan.

[cdninkorea]

[perkxplosion]

Thanks for the posts everyone!

As for the three strikes rule... My contract doesn't at all state anything like that. Basically it just flat out states:

"The Employer may terminate the contract if: It is deemed the Instructor cannot abide by the agreed upon terms and conditions of the contract due to incompetence or inability, or if there is reason to believe the Instructor willfully contravenes its terms and conditions."

Essentially part 3 of my contract describes the Instructor's responsibilities. So basically it states that if they find my teaching to be incompetent or an inability then they can legally terminate me. I'm not really sure what to think. My boss is pretty much very two faced. He is ruthless to the Korean employees but he acts like everything is ok to me and my co-worker even if things are not. I will say that I feel like my co-worker fits in at my work much more than I do. He is a really cool guy, and also very good at sucking up (which I didn't really catch on to nor do I care to do). So what was mentioned earlier about the possibility of me not fitting in is probably adding into the equation.

[clyde]

It's time to run sounds like. I hate to say it, but the system here demands that kind of thing because you just can't count on fairness and honesty from hagwons. When they fire you, they will keep your last check to cover your flight and everything. Beat them to the punch. I'm sorry but it is a rough reality of living here. You sound like teacher that takes the job seriously so you will find something else and probably do very well at it. Good luck.

[yingwenlaoshi]

[perkxplosion]

[teacherinseoul]

[perkxplosion]

Ah ok I see. Thanks for the clarification. By the way. I understand that "OP" is in reference to me. What does OP stand for?