Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Freezer Burn]

I'm teaching at a hogwan now, what infuriates me is the double standards applied to the foreign teachers.
I saw evidence of it in China with the 'we must stick together, we're Chinese' attitude of the teachers and parents in China, but I didn't think the Koreans were that insecure, colour me surprised.
In a hogwan I can't throw a student out of class or discipline the students in anyway, so it says in my contract,(not that I listen) yet the K-teacher quite routinely whacks them for whatever reason she deems punishable, delievering any for of discipline.
Nothing the k-teacher says or does is ever complained about by the parents, but if I speak a little too fast or don't use 'american english', like there's a difference, I have a meeting to improve my bloody teaching skills, while the k-teacher is teaching orang-e and poto, I'm sorry but I'm not going to put on an american accent, my accent is not even strong its very nuetral.
My friend told me about his school, this one student who got a thrashing on his forearms causing extensive bruising from the k-teacher, this would get you two years in prison in Australia it was that bad, his mother rang the school to complain, my friend was relieved because he's feeling a little helpless about what to do, he's complained to the owner, threatened to quite etc...he relief was short-lived because the parent rang to complain about her son not recieving any candy in his class as a reward for a project, needless to say he was pretty shocked, the kid had the bruises for a couple of weeks.
So what is up with double standards, do they think that if we show any form of discipline to their angels we will somehow corrupt their fragile little minds, why are they learning a language to begin with, why insist on a foreign teacher.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I'd call a meeting with wonjongnim-babo to make it very clear that things have to change, and if they don't, I'd send in my resignation. That's what I did at my old hogwan (the only difference was that at mine the KTs also got shat on like everyone else).

[Qinella]

First piece of advice: in the future, don't sign a contract that contains a "no punishment" clause. That's just asking for trouble. You're going to need to develop a rewards and incentives schedule, like the money idea others have promulgated.

About your accent, I would ask them where English came from. Did it come from America? Does your contract stipulate you must speak with an American accent? If so, does it specify which of the numerous American accents they prefer (valley, new york, gangsta, southern [different by state], ebonics, "news", minnesotian....)? And, if possible, can the wonjong give you example of a clean "American" accent for you to follow? These are the questions I would ask.

When you get stupid complaints, just smile and nod. When you get legit complaints, work on it. That's good advice no matter what your job is.

Good luck,
Q~

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I agree with Qinella completely - signing such a contract is just ridiculous.

As for the accent thing, just tell them that you are speaking in an American accent. If they challenge you, just ask 'how isn't that American - could you show me how you say that in an American accent'? Most Koreans couldn't tell if someone's from Glasgow or Memphis.

[Freezer Burn]

Thanks for the advice, regardless of the clause in the contract which is set there by RBI, the school is actually quite decent once you ignore all the normal haggie BS.
My gripe is about the nerve of the parents to take the time to lodge a complaint over an accent when their children are getting abused at the same school, someones priorities are whacked.
I did just the thing Qinella sugested and laughed my arse off, my director trying to say 'got' with a US accent you know 'gaart'.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I agree with the rest, FB, but who says 'gaart'?

[inkoreaforgood]

[Freezer Burn]