Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Son Deureo!]

We can keep going. The US dollar has been falling at roughly the same rate as the won, so right now Americans are probably the only foreign teachers in Korea that aren't getting hosed by the exchange rate right now.

For once, I can say that I'm lucky to be an American in Korea.

Take the Australians:



The Kiwis:
[img]
http://ichart.yahoo.com/z?s=KRWNZD=X&z=m&t=2y[/img]

The British:



The Irish (they're using the Euro these days, right?):



And the South Africans:



Can we now safely conclude that the won AND the dollar have taken a beating lately?

[just because]

I'm an Australian and I've noticed a big difference over the last couple of years. Its not so much the weakening of the won but the strengthening of the Australian dollar that has killed me.
I know all about you pre-IMF boys and how bad it was for you but for me:
Dec. 2001: 590
Nowadays: 890(or thereabouts).

I don't send money home so i really didn't pay any attention except when i buzz back for a trip. It cost me 50% more to go home than 2 years ago.

[Skarp]

Well - freedom of speech is a valuable thing for which we should all be grateful - even though it can lead to some exceptionally stupid views being expressed.....


Management has admitted the phoning is in no way a contractual obligation. They just think they can ask us to do anything and we will cave in like Koreans.

Our contract list class time, 'seminar' time and orientation time prior to contract start. We are not obliged to spend time in school outside of teaching hours according to our contracts. We are supposed to be prepared for lessons though, but when, where and how is left up to us.

Remember - pay is low at our place. Very low. So low that many teachers prefer to teach kids and save more money...

School has recently replaced two teachers who completed their contracts with the worst excuse for a teacher I have ever seen in my career.... The other job remains vacant, but this may be a money saving strategy.

The calibre of teachers in our organisation is low. Most have no training or relevant experience. They are ineffective in the classroom and the students - adults - can tell this.Teaching adults is not teaching kids....teaching adults demands higher teaching skills because they are more discerning. They tell me I am not like the others...that I know how to teach...

OK - so we are in Korea. Korea is like that. I heard the rumours before I came and they are true.

I took this job because it was offered to me within a week of landing, the place has a good reputation for paying what is owed and it is teaching adults. I expected the work to be well within my capabilities, given my training and experience, and in fact it is far easier than I anticipated. Prep time for me is < 2 hours per week.

All in all, it is a fair deal. But I am not prepared to accede to the whims of the management - they have to learn that we cannot be pushed around.

However - direct confrontation is not the best way to procede. Guerilla tactics are the way to go.

We will win - if they fire us that will only mean more work for them and they will have new teachers just as unwilling to do the extra work!


Well - this will most likely all be forgotten in 3-6 weeks.

Skarp