Korean Job Discussion Forums

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

My school gave me the 7 days off and that was it. Every other day, I have had to sit at school from 8:50AM to 4:50PM. At one point, I was only teaching one class in the afternoons for one hour, but I still had to be here from 8:50AM.

During spring break, I have to sit here from 8:50AM to 4:50PM all week.

So, what's the moral of my story?
Stop complaining about the 3 weeks vacation you got. I would have done anything for 3 weeks. I would have done anything in fact just to be able to go home after my afternoon classes, or maybe not have to come in until 10AM. Instead, I had to be here all day long, EVERY DAY. Whenever I asked about it to see if things could change, the VP would make such lame excuses.

Example: "If we let him go early, he could be hit by a car and because it is during work hours, we would be responsible."

The school just down the street from mine, let their teacher take just short of 2 months vacation. They let him go home for Christmas even and not even finish the term. My P and VP know about it, but would not even budge on my vacation.

Francis-Pax · Joined: 20 Nov 2005

Just for the record:

I technically only got 7 days paid vacation; however, I worked a lot of overtime during my winter camp and I decided to be compensated with paid leave versus cash (as allowed by the GPIK contract). So I worked for those extra days.

What is wrong with expressing the desire to use my time in a more enjoyable and productive manner?

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

You guys are working at the wrong schools. I got about 10 weeks of vacation this year at my public school.

bourquetheman · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: Suwon

I'm bitter as well. Last winter I had to teach every Tuesday from 2-4 and that was it, the rest of the days I could quietly stay home. Still sucked as I couldn't really GO anywhere like back home all because of 2 classes that were nothing more than time-fillers for the students.
THIS year I could have done a 4 week winter camp for a cool 4 million won. I pleaded my case that I would gladly make up the "time-filler" classes by doing five days straight if necessary in February. The principal initially said yes but the facking accountant at the high school was dead-set against it and ultimately I couldn't do it. Instead I did one class 3 times a week. Again just a time-filler class, not TOEIC or anything (that I WOULD have got paid for had it been).
So basically I am bitter and pissed that the school basically stopped me from making money for my family that would have helped out a lot. On top of that I got them a teacher to replace me and they saved on the 1.5 million recruiting fee that they were prepared to pay. Did I see any kind of bonus or even a thank you? NO not at all.
I've been in Korea since 1997 and I've virtually taught all levels, no joke. Three years at an institute (taught pre-school all the way up to Adults) three years at a university and finally 2 years at this high-school. I now look forward to something totally different as I'll be teaching at a company. Sure it will probably be difficult but I think it will be a good challenge. Also a cool 6 weeks vacation plus all holidays. The public school was a good experience despite the bitterness I have in my mouth at the end of it. I wish all other people at a public school the best, it can be enjoyable, you just have to be flexible.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

bourquetheman · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: Suwon

Exactly, having an F2-1 made the immigration issue moot. The worst part about it? At first they said yes and I was ecstatic and went down to phone the camp to let them know. 5 minutes later however my head supervisor comes in and gives a song and dance about how it's not possible. That really sucked.....

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I usually don't find out what I'm doing until I arrive at school. Soliciting information from my students has drawn more success. I don't know if I'm teaching anything next week or not, or if I have to come to school if I'm not teaching. Yesterday I arrived at the vocational high school staff room to find that what had been a fully functioning staff room the day before was now as empty as if Iraqis had looted it. I managed to relocate my desk in what's apparently our new staff room sometime later. Yesterday I ended up covering for a KT who was too busy to 'teach' his February lessons.

But I still love working here.

thursdays child · Joined: 21 Sep 2005

Arrrgghhh. Was told I had Spring Vacation off..... today the Principal has decided ALL teachers can stay at home but i have to be here 9-5 and not just 'here' but in his office???? In the principals office???? A really strange old man that calls me the name of the foreign teacher from 2 years back Evil or Very Mad

Is he intentionally punishing me or does he think something else????

Note: he decides this, an hour after I sign the contract for another year.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

thursdays child · Joined: 21 Sep 2005

Yeah I just don't get it either. But I'm spending the hols with the principal coz i just don't get it.... I didn't complain, just questioned the point of being here with nothing to do and their solution was for me to 'hang out' with the principal.. doing what I really don't know??????

But one thing I've learned from my time in Korea - plans WILL change, plans WILL fall apart.... So I never get my hopes up or believe that my hopes could be unrealised. You just never know, what's gonna happen.