Korean Job Discussion Forums

[vonnegutjr]

I switched schools. I have one new co-worker who likes complaining about everything. The others are totally legit. Only nine days of school and everyday there is a new complaint. Apparently, when I walk down the hallway and 50 students say hello to me I should "show more of an interest in students lives" and do more than say hello back. "Hey, who are you? Minsu. Great. How are you? fine. Fantastic. OK I have to go now, I'm late for class and there are more students to talk with. Have a nice day." She is not my main co-teacher but I'm sure she would love to be What's the story with you? How have you overcome sinister co-workers? At the moment I'm playing hardball because it's her first year and from my perspective I think she's a bit mental. So, we may fight. She passive aggressively suggested she wants an apology for me being so frank and difficult to deal with. I'm hoping we can mutually ignore each other on a regular basis and still be able to teach together...

[oldfatfarang]

It pays to get along with these people. If not, they can make your life really miserable (holidays, extra work etc). Just smile, nod, proceed, ignore (SNIP).

[stevieg4ever]

is she a co worker or main [that is, assigned] co teacher? If not, ask your co teacher about her and what her issues are.

She is probably pi553d because, if she is a new teacher, you are probably earning way more then she is and that is before you factor in the accommodation. The expectations of you are far less and greater for her as a newbie Korean teacher. She will have much more work and responsibility then you and is subject to far more scrutiny and analysis as a Korean teacher.

Try to avoid confrontation as best you can as the POE will not step in and assist you. avoid her directly, never approach her for anything.

Don't make yourself difficult to deal with. You are new and that doesn't make you look good in the eyes of the other teachers. Try and fit in with the others if possible, buy collective presents like fruit or chocoloate ocassionally, try and talk with the other students. But dont give her a reason to hate you because if crap hits the fan when the poe do their research they will discover that you have been generous, outgoing and demonstrably kind to others around you. Most importantly look busy and smile!

But this is the problem with Koreans. All this advice may be useless if she is truly malevolent and racist, as a lot of co teachers invariably are.

[Olivencia]

Don't ever submit to the intimidation.

[rookieglobetrotter]

After my last year's bad experience, I agree with the other experienced teachers to try to make things work out first from the beginning. I had a jealous younger teacher who I mainly tried to ignore, but not working things out in the beginning ended biting me in the butt because her attitude can become contagious among the other Korean-speaking coworkers.

Depending on the situation, it may be a good idea to speak with her and try to find out what the problem is. Sometimes its just cultural issues or bad hearsay. For instance I think the initial jealousy stemmed from word being passed around that I made 4 mill/KRW a month when I made half that. I ignored her initial resentment, and eventually talked to her too late to salvage any type of relationship at the end of the year. The traditional Korean workplaces are a lot about harmony so as I learned, I needed to make a better effort to fit in with everyone. When there was disharmony, I got the bad end of the stick whether I was right or wrong.

[Fishead soup]

S.N.I.P.

Smile
Nod
Ignore
Proceed as usual.

[Kurtz]

Many Korean co-workers show resentment, zero social skills, and a lack of English fluency (hey, that's why I have a job), it's all part of the fun experience of teaching in a Korean Public School.

I find unmarried late 20's females the worst; they are hanging to get married, are often on less money than us, and often have an inflated opinion of themselves, especially if they have been abroad to learrn English.

I was greeted with a "you earn more than me" within 5 minutes of meeting her, well actually within the first minute of meeting her. She's OK but well...... Korean, say no more.

She tried to correct me in class saying I was wrong when I told the students to "write A to Z two times" where upon she chirped in with an "actually, it's twice, not two times, I read that in a grammar book".
I was tempted to say,did you read in a grammar book "I like to give my students many homeworks" but I let it slide.

I agree with S.N.I.P, it's a great way to go.