Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bling]

So I've been here just under a month. Chose this school after speaking to the previous teacher, who really enjoyed his time here, showed me pics of the apartment, school etc. All looked good, I was heading for a truly Korean experience in this reasonably small city and happy with it. Since I have arrived, I am happy with my apartment, the city is ok, I've met a couple of nice people...but I'm dreading going into work everyday. There are 4 Korean English teachers and myself, which is no problem. However, the hagwon is tiny and dirty, the syllabus is absolute c**p, the staffroom only fits 2 people comfortably and every 5 minutes there are 9 year old students barging their way into the room. In short, I'm sure it's not the worst school on the planet, but I don't feel good about being there. I'm left to my own devices, again, no problem, but the resources available leave much to be desired. The previous teacher was close friends with all the other teachers, and that is why he loved it so much.
So there I am, wondering how I will possibly survive the year here, looking up flights home on the net (though knowing I would never give up and leave the country) when my friend tells me that his job is mine in a couple of months if I want it. He works at a public school, great hours, better pay, more holidays...basically everything I wanted when I was looking to come here, but that I had decided just wasn't to be found. I really really want this job.
So the next bit is the release letter. I have to give 6 weeks notice at my school. It doesn't bother me if those last 6 weeks are painful, providing I have that letter. My boss has been fine since I got here, friendly and trying to be helpful to me. The only thing that hasn't been quite above board is trying to tell me that 5 days holiday is Weds-Sun...upon which I quickly jumped in and told him that wasn't going to be ok. So basically I feel bad about leaving, but I know that if I could get to that other school, I would be so much happier. It's just getting there that's the difficult part.
Does anyone have any ideas with which I should approach the situation? What I should say to my boss? What to say to make him less likely to turn against me completely and refuse me a LOR?? It's such a stressful situation but I think ultimately it would be worth it. I have also considered the worst - no LOR, no new job to pay my flight back, being stuck with no job at all and having to leave Korea, going to a new country and starting from scratch again...but I think I am prepared to take that risk. I just want to try and avoid the worst case scenario the best I can....

[joe_doufu]

[Ya-ta Boy]

Once upon a time there was a girl named Silly Sally. It was the week before the junior prom and her dream date had not asked her to go. So when Second-choice Sam asks her, she accepts and gets her prom dress ready and Sam orders her corsage.

The day before the big night, First-choice Fred gives her a call and asks her to be his date.

What should Silly Sally do? Leave Sam in the lurch and hope he can snag a last-minute date with someone else, or should she do the mature thing and keep her commitment?

[Grotto]

It seems a bit nit picky...how long are you at the hogwan daily?

You dont have to sit in the staffroom all the time...go outside if you can...train the students if you can.

If you are set on leaving...give notice as soon as possible...get the letter of release up front(tell them that you will stay as long as you have the letter in your hands now)...offer to help them find a replacement teacher(if you want) and dont be surprised when he takes most of your final pay

[Kenny Kimchee]

[muggie2dammit]

[Harpeau]

Probably one of the main concerns will be airfare. Who paid it? If I were your boss and I paid for your airticket over, that would be something that would bother me. You might want to come up with some creative solutions that will help ease his/her pain. This along with helping them find another teacher might just do it. BTW, your manager's understanding of holidays is pretty lame.

Teaching in a public school does have its advantages and some holidays, too.

All the best!

[Bling]

Thanks Grotto, Harpeau, for your helpful replies...
I expected criticism, but to be blatantly patronised?? That was a surprise!
The public school will repay my airfare. I know it's my call to make around what I end up doing. I had just wondered whether anyone had advice on how to crawl through the very stressful resignation part in the easiest, safest way possible. Maybe someone has been in a similar situation and actually taken the plunge?
I still have a bit of time to decide. I will see how things pan out.