Korean Job Discussion Forums

OMGtrev · Joined: 09 Mar 2010

Find a replacement who wants to finish out your contract (someone already in Korea) and then explain your feelings to your boss. If you've got someone lined up and ready to go then there shouldn't be a problem. You might have to pay them back the money for the ticket there if they paid you for that.

clewis · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Location: Anyang, South Korea

I know someone who was in a school that just closed and she has only been there three weeks. She is looking for a new position. Did you want to give me your info and I can pass it on to her?

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Doesn't sound like a great job. Do a CELTA / DELTA and develop yourself professionally. Get some relevant TESOL education behind you and teach adults. I can see why you're not happy. Fortunately, you can dig yourself out of that hole fairly easily if you are dedicated and put a little effort into bettering your situation. It's not that difficult. Good luck!

sclpk · Joined: 09 Jun 2009

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

Ya - I can not do Kindergarten myself Grade 1 and up I am doing good.

You can quit! But doing it honorably can backfire. School gets all angry and then things get difficult. You might be out of pocket too for plane ticket, recruiter, last months pay. Good for you just try and be diplomatic. Maybe they will understand.

As to transferring it might work but I think you are under the time limit.

Now maybe your school could "sell" you. See if you can find someone who wants your job to take yours and another school who wants you and is willing to take the costs. Maybe your school will be willing to "sell" you to the other school.

clewis · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Location: Anyang, South Korea

sclpk · Joined: 09 Jun 2009

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

ask ttompatz - our resident Kimmi guru and helpful, awesome friend on ESLcafe.

CPJ · Joined: 30 Dec 2008

It's very simple! Tell your school!

If you are hating your job, then your school probably also has concerns about you. I've never seen a situation where the teacher hated his/her job and at the same time, the school thought the teacher was great.

So tell them honestly that you thought you could do the job well but can't handle the kindergarten kids. Apologize and tell them that you will try your best and stay until a new teacher arrives. They'll want to replace you ASAP as well.

You'll have to pay back the airfare but you should be able to get that money (or most of it) when you sign with a new school. Ask for it when applying for jobs.

Ask for a release letter so you can work somewhere else afterwards. It won't be a kindergarten.

That will be enough.

The only case I've even seen where the school wouldn't provide a release letter is when the teacher really screws the school.

For Seoul and Busan, especially if it is a good part of town, there are more applicants than jobs. So no need to find a replacement unless they ask you. If it's a good school, it will be easy to find a replacement. If you were hired through a recruiter, then that recruiter is responsible for finding your replacement. I know lots of people that hate kindergarten so it's not that big of a deal. At the same time, I know lots of people as well that love the kindergarten kids so there will be lots of people that can take your job.

So you should be fine.

Probably next month, you'll be working at a non-kindergarten school and end of story.

bigwilly999 · Joined: 01 Jun 2009

you may need 6 months before you can get LOR. Can anyone verify this?

minos · Joined: 01 Dec 2010 Location: kOREA

naw, 1 month is new rule...if you have the letter of release your good to go.

tomato · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:49 am Post subject:

Are you sure you wouldn't enjoy teaching kindergarten if you learned more about it?
I could give you fifty links to threads about teaching kindergarten.

If you are invincibly averse to teaching kindergarten, I can understand.
I can't think of any power in the world which could make me enjoy teaching adolescents or adults.

I have a kindergarten job which I started a week ago.
Otherwise, I would jump at the opportunity to take your place.

sallymonster · Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Location: Seattle area

OP, can you hold out until the end of June? If so, I'll take your place!

interestedinhanguk · Joined: 23 Aug 2010

How long have you been teaching? Just since the beginning of this semester? I really struggled with kindy at first. If it is still early in the game, I would encourage to you wait it out another month or two at least, make an effort to bond with the kids. I really came around and began to love teaching kindy (though I hated the other parts of my job!).