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just because
Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964
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 Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 10:51 pm Post subject: What is more important, a good vacation or a good school?? |
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The school where I work at the moment is great, I like it and really don't want to work anywhere else...
I have worked there 8 months and I've been asked to stay on for another year, fantastic...however there is a problem..
I can't take a break in between contracts, i've been told zero days...I have tried to talk her into giving me a week or 2 but she just won't budge...says she can't work with anybody else and only trusts me(which is nice) and hence doesn't want me to go....
The thing is I was really looking forward to a month trip as this will be the last trip before I marry(probably) and had already started to book it so obviously this has fully taken me off guard....
I really don't want to leave but I have been offered positions in other places(not as good to work at though) so if i don't resign i do have options...
So what would you do???
To recap, really don't want to work anywhere else, really want to go away for a trip(my hobby pretty much is travelling)...I've told her I would resign but nothing has been signed and am still thinking...hmmmm... |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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That would be tough. What kind of holiday time do you get in your contract? I know the feeling - I wouldn't want to leave my school even if it meant no holidays. Fortunately I got three weeks in summer and will probably get three in winter.
I'd stay - you have no idea what your next job could be like and since this is Korea it could be pure hell. Avoiding a year (or however long you can last) of pure hell would be worth delaying a much sought-after holiday. You can always do two months next year. |
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JacktheCat
Joined: 08 May 2004
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| Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 10:57 pm Post subject: |
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I just went through the same predicament as you, though from a public/private school perspective.
Great school, great students, and the powers that be actually treat me like a teacher, and not a preforming foreign monkey. I'd love to stay on for another year.
But Gyeonggido is forcing them give me only two weeks vacation next year, strictly enforced. Down from almost 7 weeks this year.
So, as to your question I am moving on to a school which will be able to offer me real vacations. Hopefully a great school, but I'll even settle for a just ok school if they offer me enough vacation.
It all comes down to the reason I became an EFL teacher in the first place. The opportunity to travel and experience new places. |
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Kimchieluver
Joined: 02 Mar 2005
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| Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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I just look like it from this perspective. My holidays were absolute crap the last three years and now I have actuall holidays. They are not the greatest compared to others in the public school system, but they sure beat any hogkwan. I love my school(s) and co-teachers but if I have to do the same thing this winter break next year, I may not renew.
In short, if greener pastures present themselve I may change schools. However, compared to hogkwans my situation is soooo much better. |
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plattwaz
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Location: <Write something dumb here>
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 8:08 am Post subject: |
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I personally feel that I can't be a good teacher when I am working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 12 months of the year, with nothing but a day of rest at Chuseok and Seolnal and perhaps a few days summer vacation.
To do that for any longer than 12 months is damaging to my sanity, my general contentedness and to the students as well.
I'd take the vacation. |
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tomwaits
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Location: PC Bong
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| Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:13 am Post subject: |
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The holiday....
She can't do without you but can't let you go for 2 weeks? BS Are you supposed to work straight thru until you or her dies?
Besides holiday is memorable---work isn't. |
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Son Deureo!
Joined: 30 Apr 2003
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| Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Try to arrange a substitute for yourself for the time you will be gone. That may make it easier to sell her on the idea of letting you go for a little while. |
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just because
Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964
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| Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2005 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| tomwaits wrote: |
The holiday....
She can't do without you but can't let you go for 2 weeks? BS Are you supposed to work straight thru until you or her dies?
Besides holiday is memorable---work isn't. |
Yes, I already thought of this but i don't think she thinks i will say i'm not coming back....
I think if I say no she might backtrack a bit, but I just don't want to regret it later...
| Son Deureo! wrote: |
| Try to arrange a substitute for yourself for the time you will be gone. That may make it easier to sell her on the idea of letting you go for a little while. |
I have already tried...she says she doesn't trust anyone else...I think there might be someone else, I am working on it |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 2:58 am Post subject: |
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| Well she'll just have to learn that if she wants good English teachers she'll have to offer good conditions. |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 3:14 am Post subject: Re: What is more important, a good vacation or a good school |
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| just because wrote: |
The school where I work at the moment is great, I like it and really don't want to work anywhere else...
I have worked there 8 months and I've been asked to stay on for another year, fantastic...however there is a problem..
I can't take a break in between contracts, i've been told zero days...I have tried to talk her into giving me a week or 2 but she just won't budge...says she can't work with anybody else and only trusts me(which is nice) and hence doesn't want me to go... |
That's the rub! I work at a great hagwon that has nobody to fill in, hence the lack of vacation time.
They don't want to let me go, and I know that too. So, after my first year I said I wanted to sign on for another year but that I NEEDED a month's break inbetween. I would love to work another year but the problem is I NEED a month-long break to visit family.
So they knew very clearly and very firmly that (a) I wanted to keep working there and (b) it would ONLY happen if I had a month-long break.
Guess what happened?  They found a replacement for a month.
I did the SAME thing after two years (and believe me, it is NOT easy finding a replacement here on the island, as there aren't spare teachers floating around and it's a 3-teacher, one-foreigner institute).
The key is: (a) Be clear and straight forward with your needs (NOT wants, NEEDS), and (b) address their needs (help them find a temporary replacement!! Son Deureo! is right. if it's a nice place, then surely you can round up a waygook to teach for a month).
As a last resort, BLUFF (give the impression that you would regretably have to give your notice - you could always rescind it two days later if they really want you and you express your "change of mind" to stay). If assertive negotiating doesn't work, and bluffing neither, then simply lump it and treat yourself to a looooong vacation after the second year (by which time you'll probably be ready to move on).
Good luck whatever. |
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