Korean Job Discussion Forums

fatpat · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Location: The bright lights of Namchang

I was told that all hagwons will be closed next Wednesday for some meeting or something? Do you know what this is? Of course i'm not complaining about the day off Very Happy

fatpat · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Location: The bright lights of Namchang

Does nobody know about this? Perhaps it's just the hagwons in my local area.

ontheway · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:38 am Post subject:

This is probably the annual training that teachers and owners of hogwans are required to attend. There might be a meeting for E2 teachers in your area as well. We had that in my city earlier this year. The training for E2s could be on a different day. There was a thread or two on this topic sometime back.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

ontheway · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:33 am Post subject:

It really is a bullcrap meeting and a waste of time. You may be told that it's required. Are there consequences for not attending? Please don't go and then tell us what happens. I was told you can't renew your visa if you miss this meeting. I was told there is a fine if you fail to attend. I missed one of these meetings and nothing happened to me. My boss at the time said she paid a fine. I went to one this year. I sat in the back with a group of "experienced" teachers who came prepared with MP3 players, papers to grade, books to read, snacks to munch ...

There is a reason to go, however: you can meet other E2 teachers, including some Japanese and Chinese E2s.

The hogwans are closed, however, because the Korean teachers and hogwan owners are required to attend their own separate meeting that day. There are serious consequences for them if they remain open and do not attend. We'll, I've been told there are. Wink

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

3 years in Korea...never attended one...never had any problems....never heard about any fines or other baloney.

If you want to go..then go..if you dont...then dont.

The problem with this bullcrap meeting is that teachers who work in rural areas often have several hours of travel time to get there and back and are not compesated for it in any way shape or form.

If you dont go nothing will happen to you.

fatpat · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Location: The bright lights of Namchang

I and 2 other teachers I know have not been told we have to go and that we have the day off.

ontheway · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:42 am Post subject:

fatpat,

This is the required annual training for hogwan owners and Korean teachers. Closing the schools for the day and holding the training during the week is a new thing, part of the new 5 day work week program in Korea. The E2 teachers usually have their training on the weekend. As I wrote before, your "required" training could be on a different day. Have a nice holiday.

My school has no Korean teachers. We refused to close for the Korean teacher training day, because it would disrupt the students' learning schedule.

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Why the hell would hagwons be closed unless it were on the weekend or on a holiday?

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

I've taught in Korea for a little over 8 years now. Have never been to such a meeting and suffered no consequences (unless you count NOT being bored out of my skull, based on what I've heard about said meetings).

fatpat · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Location: The bright lights of Namchang

fatpat · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Location: The bright lights of Namchang

fatpat · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Location: The bright lights of Namchang

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

Go out and buy a PSP and a game. then spend the whole day doing that. Go to the meeting and giggle and laugh from the back seat while playing with your cellphone. Don't forget to stand up and yell "Teacher...bathroom".