Korean Job Discussion Forums

[supermouse]

I arrived in Korea at the beginning of July and up until recently things were going good. I work at Avalon, I got in at a decent branch, but also struggling and in a competitive area. All I had was a TEFL certificate and a bit of student teaching experience.

I realize I came in at a transitional period, kids were in holding, two other teachers were in their last month as well. For the record because we were in holding I got no observation time nor did Avalon train me. When I did start teaching, i was observed once by my head teacher and he had no real concerns. Also during this time the CCTV cameras strangely moved locations to observe the teachers now.

Last week we find out the teachers are going to be rated by the kids 1-5 and they can write a comment. This was unheard of when i asked my coworkers who had been there for a while. This week we got the scores back and we were all called in one by one to the directors office.

Thus far I liked my director, he was very nice and laid back. My average scored rounded out to be 2.6, keep in mind the head teacher who has 3 years of experience only got a 3.65.

Suddenly my job is on the line and i can not be protected like some of my coworkers. I just do not think its fair, I am a new teacher and i am being kicked out the door. We get 45 days notice in our contract, they wont even let me teach anymore. Ironically i am now getting that observation time.

I understand the bottom line, but this is ridiculous. Everything is about money, they wont send us a new teacher because there is no empty apartment. I am supposed to feel bad? I can maybe get a transfer, but i am not sure i want to stay at Avalon at this point or even to continue to teach English in Korea.

I am also concerned about my flight money, they did ask for my itinerary before this happened, but i am nervous. What are my options for getting another job, i live in Seoul.

[Skill]

Go to the Korean court and file a case, whatever you need to do. They can't fire people based on a score given by students you teach.

I think people now would give Avalon a wide berth.

[Gorf]

Politely ask for a letter of release and then get a new job. Easy as pie. There's tons of threads on here about it.

[ontheway]

[Porksta]

I work at Avalon as well and today was the first day of student surveys - but it was for Korean teachers only.

[HarryMorgan]

I had the same evaluations done recently (though that isn't an issue of concern for me), and I have been here about as long as the OP. Sorry if I'm hijacking, but I think any answers could be mutually useful.

How would one weigh the potential of receiving an LOR (assuming your boss is scared out of their wits about you reporting them to the LB), with waiting around at the PC 3.3% tax for new documents? I understand there are a lot of other factors involved, but without the guarantee of an LOR, one might end up SOL, right? My employer has given in quite a bit (raise, less hours, etc.) due to stubborn pushing on my part, but at this point I figure it's best to wait until I have something to fall back on. That likely means three months with no genuine HC, which is my main point of issue.

I've spent a great deal of time looking into this stuff recently, but I'm still having trouble figuring out the best options for receiving an LOR. My instinct is to stick it out and wait for new documents, but that's only because it would allow me a wider range of options. Sorry to butt in.

[rchristo10]

You're new and I feel sorry for your situation, so I'll explain.

Institutes in Korea are usually (often) ruled by owners who have spent most of their adult (and childhood) lives searching for power. They want you to squirm and panic, look like you're trying harder, and honestly they want to feel as though they are getting their money's worth.

It sounds sadistic and in many ways, that's exactly what it looks like conclusion-wise. But honestly, it has a great deal to do with the owners feeling unempowered, unconfident, and worried. They want more than ever to make sure that you're taking your job seriously. Korean's like to take their work with a certain serious gravity (even if you're only teaching 3 or 4-year-olds who could care less). The same trend seems to move to their children early on in a process you have had the unfortunate opportunity to witness and participate in first-hand. It's all a process of empowerment and suppression.

First, relax. You're likely not slated to lose your job based on an average score from kids.

Second, realize that your employers' reactions to your work likely have a great deal more to do with your way of acting (yes, even outside of the classroom) than the kids' averaged scores. The great thing is that you can likely change that behavior pretty quickly.

Third, bend a bit. Show your employers that you do care (which seems to be what you're doing now). And realize that perhaps the students are unhappy both being in your class and also at the institute. So, try to forge a relationship with them (if that's what it takes). You'll find that often students generally try harder when 1. they like you and your class, and 2. they see that you're trying (at least) to care and like them: dress more professionally; add a couple of handouts or materials that the students can take home with them to supplement what they covered in class (these can usually be made in 5-minutes or less); come into work a bit earlier than usual; and (of course) keep the partying to days that allow you to air out the alcohol before showing up for work (i.e. no drinking the day before work).

Fourth, do 1, 2, and 3, above and have a great weekend. The last thing you want to do at an institute is push for the legal route as mentioned above. It's worse advice than the old adage about representing oneself in court in the US; you neither know the language nor anything about the law here (or culture for that matter). Publicly bitching and complaining (if you really want to keep your job) is the last thing you should do.

Make the efforts above and remember to see weekends as time to chill and relax. If they fire you, then move on and realize you have more things to offer to other places that value you more.

Have a good weekend.

By the way: I've also heard that if you quit a job within the first couple of months, then you will not be issued another visa. You have to work there for at least 6 months, otherwise get fired and obtain a release form. Now here, I could be wrong; I'm a student. So check better sources.

[DaHu]

Hagwons ONLY care about what the students think of the teachers. The students are their income. You are 100% expendable.

[rchristo10]

[ttompatz]

[aq8knyus]

The only reason I am commenting is to say sorry that you had to go through that, the stupidity of firing someone based on something like that is staggering.

Though unfortunately you are a victim of poor management but nothing illegal.

[supermouse]

Thanks for the responses guys, i never wanted to be in a situation like this. Originally I wanted to work in a public school.

The main complaint is that my classes are boring, but you try teaching the TOEFL to a quiet class. I have energy and am learning to weave games in, but these kids are just dead sometimes. After watching elementary, i never thought i would prefer it, i teach middle school and its tough.

Technically i still have not been served my written notice, my director is seeing what he can do. But everyday the offer changes, one day their willing to invest in me and transfer, the next day thats not on the table. Its really unprofessional, another problem is a new teacher is a gyopo. I do not think its fair i am being compared to him. Thats like me going to Italy to teach English, who do you think the director or kids are going to like more?

[ttompatz]

[DaHu]

[rchristo10]