Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Suwon Fish]

I need some advice... I am being totally r@ped on "reputation" by my last high school and it is causing something of a problem.

Long story short, I fell out with two teachers who would never come to their classes, except for a handful of times when they were both an obstacle to teaching in many, many devious ways. After literally years of this (yes, years) and with increasing bad behaviour on their parts I figured enough was enough. I pointed out to the principal and English department that it was illegal for me to teach more than 23 students alone and so the class would begin when my co-teacher showed and end when she/he left. The problem was solved like magic. No drama and no apparent bad feeling. They even asked to renew my contract with them.

Incidentally, these two teachers didn't just f#ck up my classes, they were equally obstructive to their Korean colleagues.

So, what's the problem?

It seems the school is now saying (1 year later) something about me that makes me as popular as Gary Glitter's prison buddies to any school I approach. No sh!t, they are really doing a job on me. To add to the comedy, it is one of the two teachers I grassed up who is red repping me to schools and agents. And she is the only one available for comment!

My last 3 years were spent in this school and the one before was spent in another, local, high school. The teachers at both schools are mostly buddy buddy and will (I am sure) back each other up.

So, do I change my resume? I would need to delete my last 4 years of teaching to short-circuit these @ssholes...

I am guessing it is a deportable crime to lie on your resume, but I can't imagine any schools or agents being too impressed by a 5 year gap in work.

Thoughts?

[Mr. Pink]

Hire a lawyer to send them a cease and desist notice for saying negative things about you which are untrue. Have it threaten them for libel action if they continue. Considering in Korea one can get into big trouble for libel action, I'm sure they might change their perception of you.

[nautilus]

Isn't that soooo korean.

Try the legal route, if thats no-go then find some new references for your Resume. Maybe seek out your former principal, vice-principal or head teachers phone number. Even a co-worker you taught only a couple of classes with. Anything.

[wylies99]

[lifeinkorea]

If they hired you for a second year, then that is something you can show new schools.

[wylies99]

[wylies99]

[Suwon Fish]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the feedback! I know official letters have some serious whack in this country.

The problem is, I can't find out what is being said. I have been lined up by my agent for several public school jobs. Every interview has suddenly disappeared at the last moment for one reason or another...

My agent figured there was something wrong (great agent, got me two previous jobs and knows me well). She can't find out what is happening either, or if she can, she isn't saying.

It came to a head yesterday when I got myself an interview in Suwon. I was asked to teach a 40 minute lesson for the Principal and vice principal. Now worries, that's what I do!

Anyway, I show up early, suited and with my shiniest lesson from my Celta course all neatly arranged with student materials and lesson plans for the observers, you know the deal. Well, I did need to photocopy some stuff as there were 35 first graders there for the class, but that was no problem.

Lesson went great, smiles all around, kids are involved and absorbed in the material. KET's nodding and smiling at me. The job felt like it was in the bag.

The principal comes in after 30 minutes, shoots me a look of pure venom and whipers something to the KETs observing.

I was asked to wrap up the lesson then and there and, simply, they couldn't get me out of the school quickly enough...

I have no idea what is being said about me, but that reaction couldn't have been prompted by the real story. I felt kinda dirty or like a criminal, it was just too weird!

Anyway, I have no solid evidence of what is being said, but my old school is doing a great job of killing any jobs I apply for.

It is hard to come up with an action for slander/libel with no evidence, which I guess they know...

Anyway, I guess it is time for me to dip my toes into the Hogwan pool to continue my adventure in Korea ^^

[bliss]

Ask your agent to investigate more. For example, your agent can call the principal of the school from yesterday's demo lesson. Your agent can ask what the reasons were why you weren't hired, and can also specifically inquire about any feedback from calls to previous employers/coworkers.

[nautilus]

[fromtheuk]

I was on bad terms with my co-teacher at a public school. After 2 years, I decided to move to another school. I would have been up a creek if I had to rely on her for a reference.

Thankfully, I had a new co-teacher for the last 2 months at the old school and that's how I managed to get a new p.s. job.

After 4 months I did a runner at the new school. Because I hated my co-teacher there and found a better job abroad.

It's admirable if you fight them over this and win. My personal opinion is try and find a better job in another country. The amount of nonsense natives have to take in Korea is another reason why I left.

Korean work colleagues can be so rude, hostile and ungrateful. In an ideal world it would be terrific if native teachers could form an organization to protect their rights.

Sadly, they are disunited, sometimes just for the sake of it.

[Manuel_the_Bandito]

[Suwon Fish]

[Zulethe]

I rarely give free advice because I get paid for it.

Get someone to pose as a potential employer and call the school for a reference and have them record that call.

you'er welcome,

been there done that

[Suwon Fish]