Korean Job Discussion Forums

Alabama Rattail · Joined: 04 Dec 2009

I can't believe I'm already on here asking for advice on what to do.

Heres the set up:

I have been at my hagwon for four months. One month into teaching the director talked with me about things I needed to improve such as teaching the proper curriculum and lesson plan (which I was not given prior knowledge of before) Since then I had been making an effort to improve those things.

Recently I was given a letter highlighting my shortcomings at work which include: poor classroom management and discipline, not following the teaching manual and playing games (I go exactly by the manual they gave me; there is no mention of games. We have also been told not to play many games before), students aren't understanding things I've taught them. Also, we had evaluations and testing recently (which I found out about two days beforehand). I was supposed to give each student an evaluation and write about them. I teach 40 (20 groups of students two times a week) classes a week and did my best, but I still did not know all their names nor did I know each student well enough to write a paragraph about them. I tried my best at doing this, but I still had to ask other teachers about some students. Because of these things my director says she has received many complaints from parents and Korean teachers.

My director has said that I am being given two weeks to improve. The director said I will be watched over this period to see if I can do better.

Although I have only been here for a fairly short period of time I have enjoyed teaching and want to continue doing it. I do not think I am an incompetent teacher, but I feel that most of these problems have arisen due to the fact that I have so many classes, students, and a large workload. There is only one other native teacher at my school and there has been a huge turnover rate with all other staff.

I do not want to change jobs due to the fact that I have been here for such a short amount of time. Is it even possible to change jobs in Korea after only working such a short amount of time?

I will continue working at my school over the next two weeks and do the best I can, but what do you think the likelihood is that they keep me?

I have really enjoyed living and working in Korea and do not want to leave. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Dragoon · Joined: 18 Apr 2010

I'd call their bluff bro. Tell them to fire you right now if they want.

(Your username is sweet...do you have one...because if you did..that would be uberpimpin')

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Well, I would love to be positive...but....

Two weeks is much too short a time for them to find a legal replacement, so I would normally agree with calling their bluff...however, you mention that they called you in during your first month, which was three months ago...and that sounds like enough time to look around, find someone, and process the paperwork...and if they are in the final stages of that, all they need to do is clear you out of the job by giving you the ultimatum...but kept you in class without telling you much until then....

Honestly, though, it sounds like letting you go would be doing you a favor -- 40 classes a week is a monstrous load, and the lack of support or useful feedback you have received does not make it sound like a good place to be.

I would try not to worry about it -- if they do not fire you, and you are happy there, then that is a positive outcome (though I really think you could find a much better job with only a little effort). If they DO fire you, then you will get a letter of release, and your CBC should still be usable (good for 6 months, right? You've only been here 4 months you said...) which means you should be able to shop around for a job, with the possibility of starting almost immediately -- I mean, you do have all the documents you needed, right? You just got them for that job, so they should still all be in order...it should just be a hop to Japan for a visa run, and you could be in a new, better job inside of a month....

Win-win, innit?

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

I think that you are facing an even bigger problem that you haven't mentioned.

I'm talking about 10 months into your contract. You might seriously be fired, and that would be in the interest of the company because they wouldn't have to pay you severance, and possibly other things. They would have a lot of ammunition against you, such as calling you in month 1, and also after month 4. They could say you just haven't improved, and that can't give you any more chances.

I agree with the above poster that this could be a blessing in disguise. 40 courses is terrible... I think that just about any job would give you better conditions, especially considering the lack of training and what appears to be lack of accurate and consistent instructions.

You're in Korea...start looking for something better. I'm not sure how much money you're earning, but most likely almost any other job will pay you a similar amount, and probably drop 10 classes off your schedule per week, at least.

Go find a company that values your interest in learning about your job.

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

Work till payday, stop then and there. Leave. Or, work till payday, talk with them and refuse to teach unless they pay per day, their choice.

I would never continue to work for free for an employer who wants to can me in 2 weeks.

PigeonFart · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

You're fortunate to be in Korea. So you can transfer your visa over to another school (without going through the visa paperwork again) as long as your employer gives you your "Letter of Release."

Contact some recruiters and start looking for other jobs.

Konglishman · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Nanjing

AsiaESLbound · Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Location: Truck Stop Missouri

They are treating you like garbage. Beating you down by giving you way too many classes and then pressuring you with termination is no way to go. I wouldn't go for it. I'd moan and groan, and then up and leave them a mess with no replacement to help sort out. Shame on their mismanagement. They deserve to lose. Don't think for a second they are actually going to give you a chance based on how well you do. Go back to step A and let them figure out what they are going to do without a teacher.

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

I also think they are setting you up for an 11-month firing.

They just are providing you with docs, so when you go to labor board they have papers to "prove" that they tried improving your effectiveness.

If it is that bad after 4 months they either shouldn't have hired you in the first place or provide better support.

Senior · Joined: 31 Jan 2010

They simply don't like you, for what ever reason. It likely has nothing to do with you as a person, or as a teacher.

As Chilgok said, treat this as your 2 week notice and start finding a new job. Your boss should give you a letter of release.

VFRinterceptor · Joined: 22 Jun 2009

I think you are more likely to be fired in the next few weeks rather than the next few months.

Here's why--most contracts contain a clause that says that YOU have to reimburse THEM for your flight coming to Korea, if you are terminated before the 6 month mark. Therefore, if they don't like you, which is obvious, they can pocket a few hundred bucks out of your next pay and tell you to take a hike.

Hope for the best, which in your case, is an 11 month firing, but expect the worst, which is more likely, that you'll be fired in the next few weeks. Save up a few bucks, you'll need it for a visa run if you want to continue working in Korea. If not, use those bucks to go work somewhere you are valued. I would recommend going to work in China/Taiwan if you want a more pleasant teaching abroad experience. If this is your first time working in Korea, what you are experiencing is very common.

Last bit of advice--First, if your school is paying your utility bills and they deduct them from your pay, request copies of the bills sent by the utility companies. If they are screwing your over in the front end, expect the same on the back end. If the school is providing you with an apartment, they might deduct more from your pay claiming that they need to hire a cleaner, which I think, might not be necessary for someone who is living in an apartment for <6 months. At most, your director will probably send one of the Korean staff (lackeys) to do the cleanup, and then pocket an additional few bucks. Bottom line: your director will do everything in their power to give you the lowest amount for your last paycheck.

Secondly, make sure you get your full pay. If something comes up short, tell them, and if they give you an excuse, ask for receipts or copies of bills.

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

To go against the grain here...maybe you're not a good teacher. Maybe the school has been getting complaints from students and parents. You already said the other Korean teachers are complaining about you.
Yes, you have a lot of classes and having to do report card/evaluations and that sucks. You didn't know how many classes you were to be given?

Alabama Rattail · Joined: 04 Dec 2009

thanks for all the advice guys! I really appreciate it. Seems like the consensus is to not count on having a job pretty soon. Thanks for the heads up about the likelihood of getting screwed over later on too. I'm def. not going to pull a runner because I don't want to go back home and want to go back to working ASAP. I think I'm going to stick it out until payday (which seems like the day I would likely be fired anyways). Until then I guess I'll look for a new job....

Would I need to move out of my place as soon as I get the boot?

also, I don't think I was an amazing teacher but I do think I did a good job with the amount of classes, students, and resources I was given. I seriously doubt they are going to find some person that does a considerably better job than me.