Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hanson]

[endofthewor1d]

[Fat Marley]

I would like to state that I disagreed with Poof on efl law and I disagree with him here.

The union will lead to disaster. Instead liek I said there I think the best way to fight back is to build knowledge.

Call it what you will, but a brochure that can be grabbed by all the noobs off the planes from the Americas and the Isles which lists all the do's and dont's as well as contact numbers to find out more information or protect yourself.

This would be more effective in creating an ALMOST fair system and treatment, simple cause we would no what is right and what is wrong.

Simple and effective I think.

[Dan The Chainsawman]

I thought Dave's Esl was brochure enough for myself.

[Fat Marley]

[Dan The Chainsawman]

In the ideal world, and I use the word ideal for a reason, everyone would do some kind of research into traveling, and working abroad. However, knowing that not everyone is as paraniod as myself, I can see what you mean Fat Marley.

Sadly, far to many people come over uninformed, one of the first things I found with a bit of poking around on the internet was the Prisoner of Wonderland Story, which prompted me to tell my recruiter to take the Wonderland contract and shove it up her..... Well I am sure you get the picture.

A brochure might just be the ticket, perhaps even a feature film on the daring escape of a haggie kindy teacher from the clutches of his or her evil director. I hear Denzel is available.

All sarcasm aside I think you have hit upon a good idea Fat Marley, and I would be interested in hearing suggestions of how to disseminate such a brochure to incoming foreign teachers. (Mind you I sure as heck ain't gonna be passing them out either, but is just a tad curious.)

[denverdeath]

All,

The brochure thing sounds fine. Information is good. However, if some poor schmuck has already signed on with a crappy company, I really don't think that a pamphlet s/he has picked up at the airport is going to help him/her all that much. Maybe they can stuff their pockets with 'em to make a fire with when they're not paid and are freezing in the wintertime in their shi%$y little apartment that has broken windows?!? I hope things work out for you "Buymybook". Good info from "Chronicpride" and a good effort from "Poof". I, like "Endoftheworld", find myself in a better place these days; however, I strongly believe that some directors/owners/managers/whomever deserve a good head butt followed by a swift knee to their rice belly. Deportation? Take it along with your pride to a country where you might be a bit more appreciated. Married? Grin and bear it and find it hard when trying to sleep or when looking at yourself in the mirror...

[Plume D'ella Plumeria]

This is a bit off-topic, but I was somewhat alarmed by something that was said in the thread about the EFL forum in Busan. Someone mentioned that EFL Law Guy is going to shift his focus from the site and toward some sort of business venture in another part of the world.

Does that mean he's leaving Korea? What will become of the site? It won't fold, I hope. I know there are others helping him to maintain that site but do they have the in-depth knowledge that the Guy has?

It worries me because I have depended on that site to keep myself informed. It was very helpful when I had my own Hellishly Horrible Hakwon experience. I have also recommended it to people who are being jerked around by their own hakwons.

In the end, I agree with those who say that information is our best weapon. To that end, we have EFL-Law and Dave's as major information disseminators. There are other sites and several organisations that purport to help foreigners (although, I know from personal experience that they do not always deliver on their stated aims. In fact, how many times did their telephones go unanswered?)

It just makes good sense to do your research and your homework well in advance if you're thinking of coming over. But some people don't, it seems, and too often, they find themselves in trouble. Maybe, if they have somehow never heard of Dave's, etc, a little pamphlet at the airport available at the information desk with a list of useful telephone numbers and websites for organisations which help foreign workers in trouble would be useful. Along with that could be telephone numbers for Labour Offices and Immigration Offices throughout Korea. Then at the first sign of trouble - the non-existent paycheck, monies withheld illegally or whatever form of hakwanian nonsense occurs, the put-upon teacher could move on it fast.

[Homer]

Researching your job market prior to coming is just basic common sense. If you don't you are just asking for it.

Another problem is the fact that some of us come here and have no real interest in teaching. This is even worse then not doing research as the shock will be bigger. Teaching requires hard work and it is a demanding job. It is not just a paycheck. Some people only come here looking at the pay and completely ignore that they might not be suited to teach at all. This will make your stay here that much harder to get used to.

[turtlepi1]

hmm...I told chronic I would come over and comment, but really this thread doesn't offer much to comment on. (no offense, I think it is an issue worth talking about, it just seemed to get lost in the OPs presentation.)

My opinion as a westerner the term "union" turns people off right away and kills any hope. First off it is confusing. As an ESL teacher I am having difficulty with my job, I am calling my union rep. I don't think that is what people have in mind. I think people want an association that can lobby on behalf of ESL teachers to communicate problems within the system.

If KOTESOL had enough people joining would it be within their mandate to take on this role?

I don't know, and as one poster recently pointed out - "You ran away from Korea" so what right do I have to post about these issues...

Sorry I didn't have anything to offer chronic.

[chronicpride]

You're right about that it took a vintage eslcafe nosedive from the beginning. There is, however, an undertone of collective agreement for a central and visible system for clear and concise info. There is actually a site that is chugging along in early development that is aiming to encompass and promote that, which is being driven by the frustration and disappointment that a group of us have in the under-utilized potential of these forums, but I'll start an appropriate thread on that when I feel that we are at a marketable point.

[buymybook]

[chronicpride]

[joe_doufu]

[schwa]