Korean Job Discussion Forums

[joelseymour]

How would hagwons react if a teacher had epilepsy?

[NightSky]

I have *heard* from a Korean that Koreans see epilepsy as quite the big disease. Probably just a lack of proper information on the subject, if that's the case, but if I were jobhunting and had epilepsy I probably just wouldn't let the hagwon know about it.

[seoulmon]

You know, I have some important things to say about this issue.

But let me just get this out of the way: there was another post about this exact same issue and it would be worth your while to read it.

At any rate, my mom has epilepsy and it is real bad. It's called grand mall epilepsy. The issue of epilepsy came up with my girl friend once. She was teling me about the serial killer and how his problems came from epilepsy. I wasn't sure if I heard her right, because it was in Korean. But yes, she did say that. Um, my mom has epilepsy I mentioned matter of factly. She didn't take it so well. I explained it, and I think I de-monster-ized the condition.

I've always wondered how to give advise to an English teacher with epilepsy. I think, because of the language barrier and understanding barrier, the English teacher would have to understand is that he is on his own.

But then again, this isn't very good advise. An employer should be able to...

Well, let me just stop now and say I don't know the best solution.

[joelseymour]

I have *heard* from a Korean that Koreans see epilepsy as quite the big disease. Probably just a lack of proper information on the subject, if that's the case, but if I were jobhunting and had epilepsy I probably just wouldn't let the hagwon know about it.
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Taking into consideration a lack of proper information, a hagwon would probably flip out if he/she had a siezure in front of the classroom no matter what type it was. It would probably be a really big deal if the teacher had a siezure in front of kindergardners..... I would think that it would not really be a big deal if the teacher hand a siezure in front of adults in the classroom though.... I could be wrong on both assumptions though!

[redd]

How do YOU feel about being in a school where no one is aware of your condition? I don't know how often it happens, but I have asthma and when I travel, I like to inform the person I'm with. My asthma is pretty much under control and it's usually me having to calm the other people down when/if there's a problem. I haven't had much experience with epileptic seizures and although I know the basics, if I wasn't prepared, might freak out a bit. Just because I wouldn't know how to help, not because I have a problem with the disease.

I agree with not necessarily letting on while looking for work, but once you're here and they've met you, you might want to find someone to whom you can explain the situation.

Medical problems and language barriers are a scary combination.

[joelseymour]

Would anyone be willing to ask his/her hagwon thier thoughts on the issue of a teacher coming over with epilepsy.? I'm just curious to what thier personal reactions would be.