Korean Job Discussion Forums

lepid gecko · Joined: 28 May 2004

a few question for hagwon teachers..
our hagwon has a winter camp and a summer camp. the summer camp is over 3 days running from friday to sunday.
Who else has these things, do you go to them, and if so, how much overtime do you expect to receive?

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

This is the shit you have to do if your contract has a stupid clause such as "other duties as assigned by director".

Expect to get paid considerably less than what you deserve. Although you are working, your boss considers taking you on a trip to be doing you a favor. I see no difference between forced interaction with students and teaching in a classroom.

I figured I deserved 600,000 won, but my boss figured 100,000 was enough.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

If they are forcing you to give up a weekend, does your contract specify no Saturdays or Sundays? Mine does!

My hogwan tried to tell me I had to go with a group of 25 students to Seoul, about 4+hours away by bus, spend about 4-5 hours with them at an English competition, then return with them. All on a Saturday. I pointed out that my contract states NO SATURDAYS...so they would have to negotiate this outside of the contract... Twisted Evil

for me to give up a Saturday, spend 12-15 hours with a screaming group of kids to go to Seoul and back would cost 400,000 won. Wink

Trip cancelled Very Happy

I dont even know why they would need an English teacher with them...the director could have handled it!

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

A few years back I did a 3-day summer camp. They gave us the option of being paid out for it (per hor, calculated fairly) or getting 3 extra days off sometime.

A pretty fair deal, but in all honesty, I had a great time with the students. It was good to see them outside the classroom having fun.

It was a lot of work, as I took on a lot of responsibility in planning the daily/nightly events...hired a magician, had plays, sing-alongs, skits, speech contest, outdoor activities, many prizes and competitions...the best was my version of "Survivor"...really tough, but way fun! Took most of one full day.

It really made the classroom atmosphere different afterwards....the kids kind of bonded with the teachers. They also were afforded the opportunity to see that we were people, not just teachers.

Overall, a great experience, both at the camp and with the managment regarding our time and effort.

lepid gecko · Joined: 28 May 2004

Thank for the replies. Despite never having worked a saturday, there is a clause similar to what phaedrus mentioned.
I agree that the camps can be kinda fun. The first one I went to was a great way to get to know the students and teachers. But I've already been to two, and my 'use' is really minimal. They set up activities 90% of the time with the korean teachers. Now, I'm burnt out, in need of break, and consider any free day almost sacred, as any hagwon teacher would.
I'll negotiate with my boss.

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

If you are not working at your school location as stipulated on your visa, then you are illegally working. Even if it's the same school!

If they ever ask you to work outside of the school, it's best to remind them of that.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

lepid gecko · Joined: 28 May 2004

I just had a discussion with my boss about overtime for this weekend, and she seemed upset about it, and would get back to me. i am being reasonable to ask for overtime right? how many of you would give up your weekend for free?
I've done extra work on the weekends for no overtime before on 4 occasions before as well.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

lepid gecko · Joined: 28 May 2004

i agree son deureo. from the start i should've set a standard. these are things i'm wisened to for now and for future jobs.

Zenpickle · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Location: Anyang -- Bisan

Sorry, petty nitpicking...

If you're doing it twice a year, it would be semi-annual, not bi-annual.

lepid gecko · Joined: 28 May 2004