Korean Job Discussion Forums

[herenorthere56]

So, I'd like to have time to review all of the previous posts on this topic before I post this, and I've read many, although probably not all. That said, I'd really love some advice, as I have to make some big decisions quickly. I'll try to give the important details, but if I'm missing anything, feel free to ask. I'm typing quickly before work.

Here's the deal: I came to Korea about three months ago as a first time, zero-experience teacher at a hagwon. The first couple of months went alright, but over the last month, things have turned. I know that company wide, (it's a big company, with many schools, some are privately owned franchises, like mine, some not.), several foreign teachers have gotten fired, the reasons seeming a little baseless, but of course, two sides to every story.

Anyways, I know my job isn't working out, and I can pretty much feel that I am getting fired any day now. Why? Well, at the beginning, the complaints about me, and to me, were ridiculous and offensive, although seemingly not uncommon. My boss told me that the owner thinks my skin is too dark, and is worried I may look Phillipino.(Racist on so many levels!) And, maybe three out of five days per week, my boss tells me that my hair looks bad, and that I look better when I wear makeup. So there's that.

But, to be fair, teaching is new to me, and, I haven't been perfect. I've had a couple of meetings with my boss, discussing how I could do better, etc. So, it's not that all of this is out of the blue. But the last month, something changed for the worse, and it seems I have managed to, in one way or another, screw up in every one of my classes, and have, from what I've told, had many parents complain. Sometimes I will be let in on the details of their complaints, sometimes not. Many of these complaints I find to be ridiculous, but there are a few that are understandable. For example, one of my students doodled in her workbook in the margins, and the parent called to complain, asking why her daughter was being allowed to doodle, and that it must mean the teacher is simply asleep at her desk.

Also, I have gotten a few parents complain that I hadn't checked the homework thoroughly enough. Legitimate. So, I talked to my boss, and have been much better about that issue in particular.

Anyways, after too much rambling, my question is; is it better to quit or to wait to get fired? I'm not being dramatic when I say, I'm 99% sure I will be getting fired if I don't quit. If I do quit, I would do it graciously, i.e. give them a month or whatever to find a new teacher, or whatever is fair. I'm wondering, though, will I get my LOR either way? My friend who was recently fired from this company did get an LOR, and was able to find another job rather quickly.

I just want to be able to prepare myself, start looking for another position, place to live etc, and I'm not sure what the best way of going about it is. Any advice would be much appreciated!

[erasmus]

I would consider quitting graciously (as you say) but stay open to them asking you to stay. If they seem surprised and don't want you to leave then maybe things aren't as bad as you think; if they accept your resignation you have one month to try a lot of things (teaching wise) and to take a lot of chances so you'll be a better teacher for your next job. This approach will have the added advantage of allowing you to leave a lot of your rookie mistakes behind you and to start with a clean slate.

Personally, I would hate to be in a situation where I didn't feel wanted. If you make the move to end the relationship you will know very soon where you stand and you can start planning your next move, whether it's at your present location or not.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope it works out for you.

[plchron]

line up another job somwhere before you quit.

[nathanrutledge]

[herenorthere56]

Still, a little confused. One day, my boss treats me like she will be letting me go that day, and the next day, she adds a class and takes one away, and these particular changes would actually make my job here less stressful from here on out. It's amazing how quickly I can go from being so sure I'll be fired to not knowing what the hell is going on. Some of the classes are looking up, some of the worst students I will no longer teach. You know, it's like for a couple hours I'll feel like I'm doing a decent job for a first time teacher, and then later that day, I can do no right. But after reading your posts, I think I'm going to try to stick it out a while. Try harder. Because I think it was mentioned that me quitting is probably what they would like me to do, and I don't want to play that game. Especially if this is just a bad bump in the first time teaching road. Maybe some of this will blow over, maybe some of it won't.

In the meantime, I should get my docs in order? Which docs? I won't need a new CBC from what I understand. Are there other things I'm looking over? I would want to get a letter of release. Although, different sources say that the LOR doesn't hold as much weight as it did, and I may be able to find a job without one. Uggghhh. So much to consider. Thank you kind readers for helping me think this through. Keep it com in if you got 'em.

[Spionen]

How does your boss act with the other foreign teachers?

I always got the sense that mine was trying to be as negative as possible toward me on purpose- not to make me quit, necessarily, but to keep me scared so I'd do whatever he wanted unquestioningly. I eventually pulled a runner, but I was shocked I had the chance to do so before getting fired- for about three months at the end I was expecting to get the boot every day when I came in for work. It was a constant barrage of criticism ranging from my looks (if I wore a dress one day, I'd always hear the next day about how much uglier I was in pants) to my classes (getting told off for doing things he specifically instructed me to do) to minor, petty things which I didn't have anything to do with anyway (like the time he went on a tirade about how unacceptable it was that I kept moving the CD players... I never touched them). Every day was more stressful than the last.

[Julius]

[nero]

I just wanted to add - keep your chin up. No matter what happens, you sound willing to learn. Is there any other foreign teacher you can observe?
Sometimes we have difficult classes. As an experienced teacher there are still classes I struggle with. Don't take it personally - but try to grow and learn as a teacher.
Try to understand the genuine criticism from the b.s. This can be difficult in Korea as all manner of rubbish gets thrown at you.
The main thing is: Make sure the books are filled and anything the mums can see is completed. If you make worksheets, glue them into the books. If a student is lazy, write HOMEWORK in big red letters on the page. It's no longer your problem. Try to do some warm up activities to start the class, or at some point during the class to ensure your class isn't 'boring.'
Most of all, listen to any good advice other teachers have, and ask for it. Don't take it personally, just try to grow from this whichever way it may turn out.

Good luck!

[bbunce]

Most new teachers feel the same way you do. I am a new teacher too and sometimes I feel like I'll be fired soon. Just do the best you can and talk to your boss. Tell him or her the problems you are having. That way they will know you care about being a good teacher and perhaps you can get some advice. Just don't quit! You can't play if you're not in the game.

[jamasian]

You should just stay. This way you can build up all of the skills and new found understandings before D day. At least if you're thinking you'll be fired from the way you put it, you will know what the factors were that lead to that decision. Good Luck!! Change your ways and find out what the best teaching style is for you.

[herenorthere56]

Thanks so much for the replies, they definitely help in times like these. As of now, I am supposed to be meeting with my boss and the owner on Tuesday, or they will meet, and then tell me what's going on...not really sure what that means but I'll keep you guys posted.

Does anyone else feel like one min this job is pretty great and ten minutes later it's the worst decision you've ever made? That's me, like all day. Makes wonder whether I want to sign another year contract if I am offered one. Ask me in ten minutes, I suppose.

[bbunce]

I feel like that all the time too. It kind of depends on how the classes went that day. If the kindergarteners didn't try to tie me up and burn up at the stake this time, then it's a good day. Today, I taught them the word "scared" so all these students tried to see if they could scare me. They succeeded. Don't worry about it to much. My guess the meeting next week means you will be fired but I could be wrong. Anyone new show up at the school that looks like they might be taking over your job? They also could be just meeting for some soju during recess... Just don't worry. Whatever happens will happen.

[herenorthere56]

No, nobody new has shown up that I know of. But, my guess is that they're looking. My recruiter knows of the situation, and says she can help if I do need to look for another job. Is it best to go with another recruiter or apply directly to jobs after being fired/quitting rather than staying with the same one who now knows that my work has been seen as sub par? When/if I do start interviewing for other teaching positions, should I tell the interviewer why I am in Korea already, and that the first school wasn't a good fit? Seems like it would be pretty tough to skirt the issue entirely, I mean, I'm here, you know? Any opinions much appreciated!

[Firearcher]

I can relate to how you feel. My contract is not being renewed. I will not stand here claiming to be Mr. Perfect and the flawless teacher however I find in Korea if they get a hate on for you they get a hate on for you and will fault you for having 2 eyes.....if you get my meaning.

last week my school told me my contract was not being renewed. Here is why I am not being renewed:

1. I am not enthusiastic enough - i wait til the teachers arrive to class before I start my lesson. they perceive this as lack of enthusiasm.

My rebuttal - My students are very low level. I want the Korean teacher in class with me for discipline reasons and to translate. So they are habitually 5 minutes late for class yet - i am the one who is lazy............

Makes sense to me.


2. My lessons are too hard for their level.

My rebuttal - the concepts I teach are not too hard for their level. I teach vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, occupation names - for Middle school. 1 word concepts. And some students know them already so it is proof their age can grasp if they try. Psychologically students of Middle school age are capable of learning vocabulary. the opposite of hot is cold. the opposite of down is up etc.

3. I don't discipline enough. True - I don't. I have found that opens the foreigner to a host of problems. and on one hand I am told they are very low level and do not understand me. It would be a case of me standing there saying blah blah blah blah and them staring at me. i am told parents at this school don't care. I devised a point system meant to punish that circumvents the parents. 2 co-teachers rejected - 2 accepted. bottom line - I'm doing the best I can under difficult conditions. Kids here do not bring any pen, pencil or books. They show up.....and that's all.

My predecessor told me there were discilpinary issue here.


4. I need to give students more time to work on lessons. Again 30% bring no books!

This I find crazy. I do give them time. The text book is designed for a 45 minute class and we finish right on queue daily. Occasionally we don't finish - so clearly ample time has been given. This is knit picking.

5. And finally "Not enough communication between me and the co-teachers.

My rebuttal.....If the teachers want me - I am receptive. My Vice Principal said they were too shy to approach me as their English is not great and the onus was on me to approach them.


So..............I need another job.

I'm out the door!

Comments welcome