Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Paddycakes]

I've been out of ESL for quite a while but still like to follow Dave's because it's probably the most entertaining forum on the Internet. It would really make for great reality TV...

As a former EPIK person, I get the impression from the reading the EPIK posts that the Koreans are almost trying to sabatoge the EPIK program and put it out of its misery. When I was in EPIK, it wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible either.

I told my Korean wife about how EPIK/GPIK makes the foreign teachers come in during the winter and summer breaks even when there is no class just to sit on their arse 8 hours a day, and she just said: Are they crazy? Are they trying to make everyone quit?

She has a really good point. A lot of the K-teachers complain about the quality of the FTs... well, if you want good FT's you need to encourage them to stay and make it worth their while to stay and work here.

If they want FT's to stay and work under often very difficult conditions for monkey a peanuts salary ($30K Canadian per year for an expat, gimme a break!!!) they have to make it worth people's while to do so.

So do you think the Koreans are trying to deliberately sabatoge EPIK? I can't think of no other reason to explain the things I've been reading here.

Sorry for the rant... now where's my Pepsi...

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I turned them down because I didn't like their lottery system of placing teachers. I'd like to see the school first - and as it is I'm really happy with my choice. I don't know if I'd call myself high-quality material, but I have some experience and know what I'm doing in a high school classroom. I'd never work for EPIK for the simple reason that I don't want them choosing my school. Maybe if Korean schools aren't happy with their FTs they'll wise up and start hiring them without going through EPIK or GIPEK.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I once tried to convince the powers that be that vacation time is as good as a raise. It improves the working conditions of the job. It didn't seem to compute.

[Karabeara]

I can not speak for EPIK, but I can for GEPIK. There was a tv news report on recently where they went to a GEPIK school and interviewed a teacher friend of mine. The reporter asked several off-camera questions to his boss, regarding the program. The reported said, although he was asked not to report it, that the provincial governments are opposed to the program. Each province wants to have autonomous control over their own educational affairs, is exactly what was written/translated in a newspaper.

So yes, there is definately opposition to GEPIK, at least in its current state. I have had some students and teachers ask me if it will last or not. They have heard both ways, and are wondering.

[xtchr]

To answer your question "Are Koreans trying to deliberately sabotage Epik?

No, because deliberation requires planning and forethought.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[manlyboy]

Some of the Korean co-teachers are certainly doing their best to sabotage it. I had such a co-teacher in my first term here, and came within a hair's breadth of quitting because of her. Her replacement has been excellent, but unfortunately for me is leaving this week; So now the lottery factor comes in to play again. If they bring in someone who isn't willing to get with the program, so to speak, I'll be straight out the door.

[deessell]

There is a meeting today at Incheon M.O.E. between the the foreign teachers' co-teachers and the ministry. I was asked if there was anything that I wanted her to mention at the meeting, so of course I said holidays. She asked about advancement and I said don't bother.

[khyber]

it seems the experiences i've read on this website differe COMPLTELY from my friends experiences. I have four friends in EPIK down here in Busan and all of them thought it's the best situation to be in.
They have NEVER been "forced" to come in when there was no work to be done; They have camp OPTIONS (and it's a good idea to take ONE of them to keep relations good and all) but otherwise, they get the full school vacation minus a few odds and ends things.
Also, they have said to me that they change schools every three month. But from what I read here, it seems people are staying in the same school for that whole time? Yes?
Cause I can't imagine that people here can't take 3 months at a crap school.

Uhm, also, EPIK in Busan is doing a massive hiring. They will be hiring about 300 new teachers over the next 3 years or so. So perhaps everywhere outside of Busan EPIK things seem to suck.
But according to my friends, thing sound, pretty damn sweet!!!

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Kimchieluver]

Man.... Everybody got more holidays this break than me. Oh well, I signed the contract.

[marlow]

[Hollywoodaction]

[Grotto]

I wouldnt say its a conscious effort to sabotage the program.

The largest problem lies at the top of the admin....they dont want to treat the foriegners as anything more than glorified monkeys. Until they realise that without proper benefits, vacation time and pay they will be on a continual rotation of the good, the bad and the ugly.

Alot of the difficulties stem from younger teachers unwillingness to confront their superiors with the problems that are within the program. Instead of standing up and making things right they simply go with the status quo.

[deessell]

Well I'm not sure about everyone else's MOE but the Incheon Ministry made an effort to hear the comments and suggestions from their foreign teachers. I don't think they will budge on the vacations though as Incheon high school teachers (KT's and foreign) teach more classes (during vacations and after school classes) than any other province.

I made it known they will get lower calibre teachers due to shorter vacations. I would prefer to be in the JET or Net program. I will not be renewing mainly due to the lack of travelling time (holidays) and like Jack the Cat I started teaching E as a way to travel and live in different countries. I personally don;t think they are doing it on purpose, it's just a lack of thinking and not realizing that Korea is not the only place to teach in the world.