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Globutron
Joined: 13 Feb 2010
Location: England/Anyang
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 Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Dragoon wrote: |
I knew this would happen. Whenever I read posts from noobs claiming how they're having the greatest time of their life. I just sit back and wait for the time when everything comes to a head..usually about the 4-6 month mark..which is right about where you're at.
Globutron...all I can tell you is...Welcome to the REAL Korea...you have my sympathy bro. |
Welll I actually thought of this, wondering who it was who told me this when I was a noob. But for the record, I'm STILL having the time of my life outside of work, and I still have an awesome time with the kids. So I still claim that I've never been so happy as a whole.
Also, really, this is quite an anomaly, since it has only turned sour quite suddenly, rather than me tiring of the korean culture and the like. So... your point in that respect is somewhat moot. This could have happened 11 months into the contract.
I'll re-inform at the 6 month mark, however. |
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NYC_Gal
Joined: 08 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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I'm sorry to hear that you're going through this garbage.
For your presentations, here are a few things you could try:
1. A "mini lesson" on them? Pretend that the superiors are children and teach them. It's always fun to subtly mock them if they're bastards anyway.
2. A nifty powerpoint. Go through it very slowly and speak even S-L-O-W-E-R because, remember, English probably isn't their first language.
3. See#2 but instead of PPT use drawn pictures on large cards, if there isn't a projector or screen for PPT.
Always always always remember that it's just a power trip. I find sarcasm to be an immense source of pleasure with my annoying coworkers, because they don't get it and I still get to say what I want. SMILE! |
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confucian
Joined: 13 May 2010
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| Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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| time to move on |
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Globutron
Joined: 13 Feb 2010
Location: England/Anyang
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| Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Oh man I didn't even think of sarcasm. I eat sarcasm every morning. Cheers, NYC, I'll let you know how it turns out; if I don't die. I'm hoping to merely faint and wake up 6 minutes later, reducing my time limit significantly. |
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frankhenry
Joined: 13 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 1:47 am Post subject: |
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| Globutron wrote: |
| Dragoon wrote: |
I knew this would happen. Whenever I read posts from noobs claiming how they're having the greatest time of their life. I just sit back and wait for the time when everything comes to a head..usually about the 4-6 month mark..which is right about where you're at.
Globutron...all I can tell you is...Welcome to the REAL Korea...you have my sympathy bro. |
Welll I actually thought of this, wondering who it was who told me this when I was a noob. But for the record, I'm STILL having the time of my life outside of work, and I still have an awesome time with the kids. So I still claim that I've never been so happy as a whole.
Also, really, this is quite an anomaly, since it has only turned sour quite suddenly, rather than me tiring of the korean culture and the like. So... your point in that respect is somewhat moot. This could have happened 11 months into the contract.
I'll re-inform at the 6 month mark, however. |
Seems the honeymoon phase is nearing the end.
This week you are complaining about work. Soon, you'll be complaining about something else. |
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Globutron
Joined: 13 Feb 2010
Location: England/Anyang
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| Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 3:35 am Post subject: |
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| frankhenry wrote: |
| Globutron wrote: |
| Dragoon wrote: |
I knew this would happen. Whenever I read posts from noobs claiming how they're having the greatest time of their life. I just sit back and wait for the time when everything comes to a head..usually about the 4-6 month mark..which is right about where you're at.
Globutron...all I can tell you is...Welcome to the REAL Korea...you have my sympathy bro. |
Welll I actually thought of this, wondering who it was who told me this when I was a noob. But for the record, I'm STILL having the time of my life outside of work, and I still have an awesome time with the kids. So I still claim that I've never been so happy as a whole.
Also, really, this is quite an anomaly, since it has only turned sour quite suddenly, rather than me tiring of the korean culture and the like. So... your point in that respect is somewhat moot. This could have happened 11 months into the contract.
I'll re-inform at the 6 month mark, however. |
Seems the honeymoon phase is nearing the end.
This week you are complaining about work. Soon, you'll be complaining about something else. |
Actually I've been complaining none stop since I got here. Mainly about chopsticks and spices I can't handle. I'm big on complaining, it gets me through the day. I just don't often put it on this forum. It's not as effective on here either since I can't swear and blaspheme as much as I usually do in reality. It still feels pretty honeymooney, really. All honeymoons have their fallout periods (especially if you happened to go Belarus in 1986). |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Globutron wrote: |
ugh, well it's only about one sentence worth of info, but I'm good at tangents so I'll see if I can expand to seven. In order to make this count as one I need a couple more sentences. That will suffice.
So to transition from one to the next as one should, I arrived late by half an hour, since i was not told to come half an hour earlier for a meeting, just that there WAS a meeting. I then had to sit for a good 45 minutes listening to my friend get obliterated into submission by the korean teachers. They have always hated him and make any excuse to annihilate him. They also like to do it in meetings in order to humiliate him and degrade him like a dog that sh*t on the sofa.
After that passed they gave out some new rules, rules that we have been doing wrong for months, but they failed to actually mention it to us. Only now do they yell at us for doing what they never taught. I was actually showed incorrectly (how to fill in some daily forms in this example) by the previous foreign teacher. 4.5 months ago...
We were told that from now, every wednesday we have to prepare a 15-20 minute presentation on how we teach particular classes etc. I'm first. I wasn't aware I was to be given homework in this job, but I suppose it's acceptable, if only the biggest loathing of all existence for me is presentations. I'm like a rabbit in headlights, and I'm first.
After another 15 minutes of b*tching, to the point that everyone in the room on the left side is in agonizing hatred to the right side of the room, the boss goes 'so i'd like to take us all out next tuesday, everyone up for it?'. Then a bit more b*tching.
Towards the end of the day, I let students go 1.5 minutes early, as I have, as well as all other staff have done frequently since I got here months ago, to find that I get battered for doing so, the kids brought back out of the bus and back into their seats to watch me get yelled at, before leaving again. Told me I finished the book too early even though I specifically recall her saying 'I don't care about this book, just get it finished and out of the way quickly'. so we have to go through the book again.
8 seconds later we get attacked for leaving our food on the table in the food room, and the koreans arent maids to pick up after us, so we had to go and pick it up whilst being watched like kids being punished for ripping up toilet roll or something. Let me highlight again that we have done this constantly for 4.5 months, leaving it for the MAID to clean up.
Now it's all very well telling us what we do wrong - even if you don't tell us the rules in the first place, which they failed to do on all accounts, but to actually yell and degrade us for a first time offence, not even being aware that its an offence? Hell no.
The new teacher has been here one week and she is already looking for new work. Since the previous guy left, it has gone vertically downhill from wonderful to Keanu Reeves awful. Oops, that was more than 7.
whoever read this far, I applaud you. I'll add an additional note to actually make this post worthwhile...
What would YOU do? bearing in mind it has been wonderful until the last week where it's just gotten cold, bitter and nasty. |
What would I do?
The new rules: I would say "Perhaps if you had done your job and told me this when I first came here, we wouldn't be having this discussion." When being attacked, attack back. It tends to baffle administration/managers
the presentation. I would say "Well you apparently don't like the way I do my job...so why don't YOU go first and show me how it's done?" Then I'd nitpick it to death.
The boss's invitation. I would say "Thanks but no thanks. I prefer spending my free time with my friends."
Never let children go early at a hakwon. The parents expect to get their money's worth which means they sit there until the bell rings. Even if the other staff do...don't. Only if the manager okays it.
Also leaving food on the table. I wouldn't in the first place. All my garbage goes into the trash. |
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WadRUG'naDoo
Joined: 15 Jun 2010
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:10 am Post subject: |
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| What it would be like to be perfect. Ah. I can only dream. |
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Globutron
Joined: 13 Feb 2010
Location: England/Anyang
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| Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 5:12 am Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
What would I do?
The new rules: I would say "Perhaps if you had done your job and told me this when I first came here, we wouldn't be having this discussion." When being attacked, attack back. It tends to baffle administration/managers
the presentation. I would say "Well you apparently don't like the way I do my job...so why don't YOU go first and show me how it's done?" Then I'd nitpick it to death.
The boss's invitation. I would say "Thanks but no thanks. I prefer spending my free time with my friends."
Never let children go early at a hakwon. The parents expect to get their money's worth which means they sit there until the bell rings. Even if the other staff do...don't. Only if the manager okays it.
Also leaving food on the table. I wouldn't in the first place. All my garbage goes into the trash. |
Ah if only. It would be great, but I'm not the type to risk making things worse. The Food on the table is true, and I tried to today, me and another foreign teacher, but we were quickly told to leave it there for the cleaner. Funny that, eh?
As for the rest, I've slowly solved it. I've been assertive, I made a pretty damn good impression with my presentation, so it seems 'it reminded me of my university days'. says the director. and I made a good schedule etc for my korean partner, etc etc.
Right now for me it's good again, as for the other two foreigners... They are being annihilated. The new teacher today actually left without letting anybody know, mid class, and went home. I think I give her a month most...
As for the night out, I had to say farewell to my friend who was leaving the next day, so that was my valid excuse out of it. Cheers all, sometimes is good to know others are hearing about the situation/s.
(Although 99.9% of the time I would never do that and keep it to myself) |
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Juregen
Joined: 30 May 2006
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| Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 5:55 am Post subject: |
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| Senior wrote: |
If your friend is serious about teaching, he is wasting his time in a hagwon.
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BS
A hagwon is a perfect place to get effect on the kids.
Don't generalize. |
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wiganer
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 2:53 am Post subject: |
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| Globutron wrote: |
ugh, well it's only about one sentence worth of info, but I'm good at tangents so I'll see if I can expand to seven. In order to make this count as one I need a couple more sentences. That will suffice.
So to transition from one to the next as one should, I arrived late by half an hour, since i was not told to come half an hour earlier for a meeting, just that there WAS a meeting. I then had to sit for a good 45 minutes listening to my friend get obliterated into submission by the korean teachers. They have always hated him and make any excuse to annihilate him. They also like to do it in meetings in order to humiliate him and degrade him like a dog that sh*t on the sofa.
After that passed they gave out some new rules, rules that we have been doing wrong for months, but they failed to actually mention it to us. Only now do they yell at us for doing what they never taught. I was actually showed incorrectly (how to fill in some daily forms in this example) by the previous foreign teacher. 4.5 months ago...
We were told that from now, every wednesday we have to prepare a 15-20 minute presentation on how we teach particular classes etc. I'm first. I wasn't aware I was to be given homework in this job, but I suppose it's acceptable, if only the biggest loathing of all existence for me is presentations. I'm like a rabbit in headlights, and I'm first.
After another 15 minutes of b*tching, to the point that everyone in the room on the left side is in agonizing hatred to the right side of the room, the boss goes 'so i'd like to take us all out next tuesday, everyone up for it?'. Then a bit more b*tching.
Towards the end of the day, I let students go 1.5 minutes early, as I have, as well as all other staff have done frequently since I got here months ago, to find that I get battered for doing so, the kids brought back out of the bus and back into their seats to watch me get yelled at, before leaving again. Told me I finished the book too early even though I specifically recall her saying 'I don't care about this book, just get it finished and out of the way quickly'. so we have to go through the book again.
8 seconds later we get attacked for leaving our food on the table in the food room, and the koreans arent maids to pick up after us, so we had to go and pick it up whilst being watched like kids being punished for ripping up toilet roll or something. Let me highlight again that we have done this constantly for 4.5 months, leaving it for the MAID to clean up.
Now it's all very well telling us what we do wrong - even if you don't tell us the rules in the first place, which they failed to do on all accounts, but to actually yell and degrade us for a first time offence, not even being aware that its an offence? Hell no.
The new teacher has been here one week and she is already looking for new work. Since the previous guy left, it has gone vertically downhill from wonderful to Keanu Reeves awful. Oops, that was more than 7.
whoever read this far, I applaud you. I'll add an additional note to actually make this post worthwhile...
What would YOU do? bearing in mind it has been wonderful until the last week where it's just gotten cold, bitter and nasty. |
So I am dragging up an old thread - so shoot me!  I remember reading it and wanting to contribute but I wasn't a member but now I am -my 200 wons worth!
In Korea - the more you take crap and being shouted at the more they will do it. So next time this happens - open your mouth and fire back - the argument is in English - how can you lose if you have salient points? You sit there in silence and you will be taking it everytime your boss has a row with her husband or her dog craps on the carpet - you'll just be a walking talking 'Aunt Sally' but once you start firing from the broadside then you will get left alone. Everytime they bollock you for breaking the rules you weren't told about - point out the lack of logic in their argument and do it until they admit to their lack of logic.
Second point - don't leave your food and wrappers on the table - sure there are cleaning ladies employed to clean the hagwon but they aren't there to clean up after you. Can't you throw your food and rubbish away into a bin (I am sure there will be a bin no more than 2 meters away) You are adults and the woman employed to do they cleaning is not a MAID - you need to look up the meaning of the word MAID and stop acting like a little kid who thinks they are above throwing their crap into a bin when they are done eating and drinking and expecting someone else to clear up after them. I would be peed off if I was your boss over this lack of consideration.
I remember your self congratulatory posts about how the honeymoon period wasn't over when you got to Korea in your first month and you made another post just to reinforce the point three months in that you were having a jolly good time. I was like you once and then I wisened up - Life aint easy anywhere and the reason the 'honeymoon period' lasts four months in this job is because thats how long it takes a Korean employer to get used to you and to start to turn the screws in.
Next time an unreasonable request comes in - question it and tell your boss its unreasonable, she starts screaming at you - give it both barrells - also, when they buy you food and nick nacks - do you bring in any food and nick nacks for them to eat? And for God's sake use the bloody bin! I'll be here in future to give you good advice on where you are messing up.  |
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BoholDiver
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 3:38 am Post subject: |
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I agree about the garbage. If they tell you not to throw it out, just say 'that's the way I was raised, and I'd feel better if I simply cleaned up the mess.'
The other points, make sure to ask for written instructions on anything about your job. If they ream you out for something, ask them when you were informed. |
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The Gipkik
Joined: 30 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 4:00 am Post subject: |
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| Globutron wrote: |
So to transition from one to the next as one should, I arrived late by half an hour, since i was not told to come half an hour earlier for a meeting, just that there WAS a meeting. I then had to sit for a good 45 minutes listening to my friend get obliterated into submission by the korean teachers. They have always hated him and make any excuse to annihilate him. They also like to do it in meetings in order to humiliate him and degrade him like a dog that sh*t on the sofa. |
Why didn't you stick up for your friend? If the criticism was unjustified and extreme, I would have. I've done it many times. I hate bullies.
| Globutron wrote: |
After that passed they gave out some new rules, rules that we have been doing wrong for months, but they failed to actually mention it to us. Only now do they yell at us for doing what they never taught. I was actually showed incorrectly (how to fill in some daily forms in this example) by the previous foreign teacher. 4.5 months ago... |
Why didn't you tell them this? Stick to your guns.
| Globutron wrote: |
We were told that from now, every wednesday we have to prepare a 15-20 minute presentation on how we teach particular classes etc. I'm first. I wasn't aware I was to be given homework in this job, but I suppose it's acceptable, if only the biggest loathing of all existence for me is presentations. I'm like a rabbit in headlights, and I'm first. |
This sounds like a good experience for you.
| Globutron wrote: |
Towards the end of the day, I let students go 1.5 minutes early, as I have, as well as all other staff have done frequently since I got here months ago, to find that I get battered for doing so, the kids brought back out of the bus and back into their seats to watch me get yelled at, before leaving again. Told me I finished the book too early even though I specifically recall her saying 'I don't care about this book, just get it finished and out of the way quickly'. so we have to go through the book again. |
Don't use the old everyone else does it so I can too excuse. You know the rules. Or you should.
| Globutron wrote: |
8 seconds later we get attacked for leaving our food on the table in the food room, and the koreans arent maids to pick up after us, so we had to go and pick it up whilst being watched like kids being punished for ripping up toilet roll or something. Let me highlight again that we have done this constantly for 4.5 months, leaving it for the MAID to clean up. |
We? Is this a college dorm now? Clean up after yourself. Even Mcdonald's in Korea expects patrons to throw their garbage in the bin and clean their trays. And most do. Do you need mommy to hold your hand?
| Globutron wrote: |
Now it's all very well telling us what we do wrong - even if you don't tell us the rules in the first place, which they failed to do on all accounts, but to actually yell and degrade us for a first time offence, not even being aware that its an offence? Hell no. |
Sounds like they expected you to know a few "rules" already. Why not ask if this is the right way to do something instead of assuming? Why would you assume anything in such a different culture?
| Globutron wrote: |
The new teacher has been here one week and she is already looking for new work. Since the previous guy left, it has gone vertically downhill from wonderful to Keanu Reeves awful. Oops, that was more than 7.
What would YOU do? bearing in mind it has been wonderful until the last week where it's just gotten cold, bitter and nasty. |
Sounds like staff at this school are sick and tired of babysitting inept and ill equipped foreigners who make a lot of assumptions.
You asked for an opinion, you got one.  |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map
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| Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 4:12 am Post subject: |
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| WadRUG'naDoo wrote: |
| What it would be like to be perfect. Ah. I can only dream. |
C'mon, you are perfect: the perfect slob/drinking partner. I'm banking money as we speak so that we can start a hang-gliding business.
(or hot air balloons or some such shit. It's still in the planning stage.) |
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confucian
Joined: 13 May 2010
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| Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 5:08 am Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
I vote for at least 7 paragraphs
It wil also be fun to watch the nutjobs swarm on this one...  |
If it's going to be seven paragraphs, I hope the writing level is at least grade six or higher. |
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