Korean Job Discussion Forums

mdsb87 · Joined: 16 Aug 2010 Location: Gyeongsangnam do

Hi,

My girlfriend and I are currently working in a hagwon. We will hopefully be staying another year and want to get into public school jobs.

I understand that public school holidays are set for specific periods each year and you have no choice about them.

This presents me with a problem as my sister is getting married in May 2012 and naturally we can't miss it!

I don't think public schools have holidays then. Is it possible to get unpaid leave for maybe 2 or 3 days?

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

I was in the same position as you my first year at PS. I waited maybe a couple of months and did my best to forge good relationships before I talked with my co-teacher about it. She talked with the principal and it was approved. I just had to show the invitation (and I brought back some gifts for everyone involved). Because it worked out that it was around a Korean holiday I was able to take a full week off.

However, I doubt this would have worked with the other principal who took over a year later. It really depends on your school, your principal and the relationship you have with your co-teacher. Your principal might be ok, but if your CT doesn't like you s/he won't go to bat for you. Or maybe your CT is cool but your principal isn't. You won't know until you start there.

May has a few holidays in it and also at my school at least seemed to have a lot of desk warming days due to field trips, sports days and other events. You may get lucky that it works out in your favour, especially if you remind them that instead of desk warming on those days in May, you'll be able to do more camps over the breaks. Good luck.