Korean Job Discussion Forums

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Well, it depends on the situation. If it's actually work related, then you don't have much choice but to go with the changes, but if it's NOT work related (afterwork get-together, a weekend thing, etc), if you don't have plans, and it's something you want to do, go! (And there's no harm in schmoozing a little bit now and then!). But if you already have plans, calmly tell them "I'm sorry, I can't. I've made plans. No, I can't change them. My friend's cellphone is broken. If you would have let me know earlier, then I wouldn't have made this plan." You're making a stand, but in a polite way.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

I totally agree with ajuma's advice to paperbagprincess to just let the last minute schedule change issue go completely. It happens in waves at our school (that sea of the unknown information). Just enjoy, since the worst kind of fool is an uptight fool. As 'pro jesters' we have a reputation of performance to uphold, with easygoing flexibility a prerequisite. Getting paid on time is the only thing I get spinal about.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I was talking to my supervisor about this topic yesterday. Detailed planning just isnt part of the Korean psyche. He also pointed out that its a lot of extra work.

Personally I enjoy this aspect of living & working in Korea. Spontaneity has advantages too.

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

ajuma, i've been here for about 9 months. just because i joined this board in march, doesn't mean that i'm a total neophyte.

Wishmaster · Joined: 06 Feb 2003

Korea...last minute? Welcome. Better get used to it because everything is last minute here, neophyte. Long-term thinking is not even a concept here. But that is what makes living here so meaningful...you live minute by minute.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

In my school the kids come 5 days a week. We have a korean partner teaher, We teach Mon Wed and Fri, or Tues and Thurs, and they have the same class Tues and Thurs or Mon Wed and Fri. I have been at this school for over a year. Still at times I go to class and see a new kid sitting there, either a totalln new student or one that has just been put in class because
1) they had to come at that time.
2) they missed the bus and came late
3) their school let them out later
4) or they were places in the class because of age.
99 our of 100 times the korean teacher knows about the new child, and we arent told. I ask the supervisor, and she says "didnt your partner teacher tell you?" Of cosre not. And to be fair, some times the partner teacher dosent know either. So, the new child will not have a book, and we have to send another child down for copies.
Koreans just dont think they have to tell others. A korean friend of mine decided to get married and on Wednesday told people they were having the party for their friends on Friday (or saturday, I forgot) but lots of us had plans already, and even the place they wanted to go to could not give them a reservation!
Its totally a clutural thing. We have to get used to it, cause we arent going to change them.
Just like they kids say "I'm hot" and I say "take off your sweater" and they say no, their mother told them to put it on, andin the winter when our school gives us so much heat the younger ones come in with pajamas under their clothes, and die from the heat. (ok, not the same thing, just Korean thinking is not like ours)

lepid gecko · Joined: 28 May 2004

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

These kids go to so mny hogwans, and it seems that the engllish ones have to just "fit in". Oh no, Art clas is at.....hopkido is at........etc is at....so the only time they can come to our school is eith ere 5 or 6. (lets just say). Well, your child can barely say "It's raining", and they are put in with students who can say, " Its pouring today". And so what if your child has never beento English Schools but they are 12, and the other 12 yr olds have been comming for 3 years, of corse they are putin with that class and we are told to teach them. Sure we can.
But in defense of my school, the teachers are treated very good, we are not made to feel like second class citizens, and I do love my job. (90 percent of the time). But the system here stinks for the most part). The parents only want to say "My child went out a level(or 2 or 5...)
Funnny thing is, they want American Textbooks, andif the kid is in grade 3 here they want a grade 3 book.
OOPS.I kinda think I went off the topic.sorry........
(and in advance im a lousey typist, and a lousey speller, but this is not a term paper, it is just me ranting and raving)

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

ok, i know that everything is last minute, but i don't get why.

ajuma, i do appreciate your advice, i just object to be labeled a newbie.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Hmmmm.....to be rude or polite about my calling someone who has been here for 9 months a newbie.... Rolling Eyes

Sweetie, when you've signed your second contract, you'll be on your way to NOT being a newbie! (That's the polite version!)

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Yup. Dont sweat the planning and preperation. If you get your shorts in a twist every time someone new appears in class, or they switch classes on you, or everything has no rhyme or reason, just smile and nod.

No book? Share!

Different levels of abilities? Pair work!

The only thing I dont let them get away with is when they schedule a new class and dont tell me.

prosodic · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: ��

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

How about this? Today at noon, on my first day back after vacation, I thought I would call and check in with the head teacher, just see how everything was going etc. Then I thought it would be wise to inquire, "So, I'm still starting at two today, right?"

"Oh, actually, you have to start at one," she answers blithely.

Well, it's a good thing I phoned and happened to mention it I guess then, huh? Rolling Eyes

Nothing like letting the foreign teacher know when they have a class to teach before it actually rolls due.

manlyboy · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 3:29 am Post subject:

Almost Amusing Personal Anecdote #1:

I almost didn't come in at all one day because nobody passed on the info. The hagwon had two, single month-long intensive programs using a special curriculum. Finished the Summer one no worries. One day off afterwards. Winter one rolls around. Finish the 20-day curriculum in 20 days, just like before. I bump into my coordinator on messenger that night and ask what he's doing on his day off tomorrow. He tells me the intensive program was extended by 3 days and that tomorrow was indeed a working day! I swear that nobody EVER informed me about it!