Korean Job Discussion Forums

[canukteacher]

I was informed by my co-teacher today that the contract she showed me last week is NOT the renewal contract. It is the contract for new teachers to the program. She was mistaken. Apparently Gepik is still discussing the renewal contract.

I have also been told that we will have another Gepik audit somewhere around May 26th.

CT

[Plume D'ella Plumeria]

I haven't been told much, but this is what I HAVE been told. GEPIK is unwilling to change any of its little stipulations that upset some of us so much ie, having to stick around until 4:30 during camp sessions, having not one day more than the specified two week vacation and having to do spring camps on top of winter and summer camps. Some of us were spared the spring camps last year, but apparently, they are a GEPIK proviso.

I saw the contract mentioned and noticed that it no longer stated the rate of 20,000 won per overtime hour, but rather that overtime would be paid at the same rate as the Korean teachers. When I asked my co-teacher just what that rate was, she said 17,000 won. I'm unsure as to whether to take that as gospel...it could mean 17,000 won for one level teacher and a different sum for a teacher of a different level. However, it does seem a bit telling that they have omitted a specific figure.

I have also been told that the GEPIK hoods (oops, I mean heads) are developing some sort of "checklist" and is going to score the native-speaking teachers in a variety of areas. No one knew what might be on that checklist, but I would guess things like, How well is the teacher liked by the students? By the parents? By the Korean co-teachers? What about the teaching style? Are they able to motivate the students? Keep their interest? Control their classes? How many sick days has the teacher taken? Does the teacher complain a lot? Is the teacher friendly to the co-workers? Etc, etc, etc. No one seemed to know WHO would be scoring this checklist. I got the impression that the scores would be used to determine who was and was not invited back next year. This is only hearsay so please take it, as I do, with a grain of salt.

I know that GEPIK is in the process of decision-making and that it won't be before June that the wheels will begin rolling. I do know of one teacher that is not going to be asked back because apparently the parents don't like that particular individual. Luckily, it also seems that that teacher wants to leave anyway, probably figuring why should they be working for the lowest level salary (1.8?) when they could be earning 2.0 at a hakwan with smaller classes and better texts.

I asked my principal if he might be willing to negotiate some things (behing GEPIK's back, as it were) and he basically said something to the effect of "Not a chance of it, sweetheart", to which I replied something to the effect of "See you around, sailor, have a nice life and good luck finding another qualified teacher" ("qualified" being the operative word here).

As for trying to substitute regular vacation days for the re-signing bonus, that rots. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I'd say the school is merely confused rather than trying to do you dirty. Best thing to do is stay calm and explain patiently until they get the idea.


In the main, are most of the GEPIKers re-signing? Am I the only one leaving?

[Grotto]

I am out of here in a short sweet 3 months. Unless they are willing to negotiate I dont see any reason to stick around.

I can see GEPIK going the sad sorry way EPIK has. Unfortunate and sad.

Has anyone else been asked to do a 5 minute lesson for the teachers before they have their meeting every Monday?

They also want me to give a short test over the tv system to the entire school every Monday as well.

New demands 3/4 of the way through a contract seem a bit silly to me.

[canukteacher]

I haven't had any new demands made on me.

Frankly though, after the conversation today about the vacation and resigning leave I've pretty much decided that I am out of there. One of my major reasons for resigning was to go home and visit my 80 year old Father for the month of August. If they stick to their interpretation of things I would be lucky to have 10 days at home once I take out the time for travel.

I'm off to the conference in Pusan this weekend. My employment portfolio is shining and ready to go to work!

I'm not going to get angry. I'll get even by finding a better job.

CT

[Derrek]

[trigger123]

i'm not re-newing my contract at my current school. they are a good bunch, but i don't want to stay in the boonies for another 12 months. i came here to live in rural korea for a year, work at a little, friendly school, and enjoy myself. i've done all three, had a great time, but its time to move on to new things.
GEPIK will improve, this is the first year of a difficult adjustment period for everyone involved in the programme. many koreans, and many many westerners, need to learn how to compromise.
this programme will work, eventually.
of course there are better contracts, but the TESL / TEFL grass is always greener isn't it? better jobs are there but there are also a hell of a lot of worser ones. how many people back where you come from got paid a above average wage, got a rent free apartment and got to live in a new country, experiencing a new culture?
korea has given me a lot in my years here. i hope i gave enough back.