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| Are you staying or leaving? |
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| Total Votes : 20 |
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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: Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Hyeon Een wrote: |
| I haven't, and don't, work for a public school. However I know a LOT of people who do work for public schools. Where I live (Jeollanam do) almost everyone has been recruited through an outfit called Canadian Connections. They all get at least a month (up to 6 or 7 weeks) in the winter, and 2+ (up to 6) weeks in the summer vacation. |
Yep. This April I contacted Canadian Connections about those 6-12 weeks off positions (one of the prime advantages over hagwons) for 2.4-2.5 with my CELTA, and was told that one MUST not be in Korea to get it, had to return to Canada first, though on their dime. But I really didn't want a public school position and opted for a three-day weekend job instead.
Sounds like GEPIK up around Seoul is in for a rude awakening. |
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mack the knife

Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: standing right behind you...
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Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:40 am Post subject: |
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| Those folks who have voted to stay must not have received the bad news yet (about the mandatory meetings and new 'Step and Jump' system). They'll be asking for a recall when they do. |
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skconqueror

Joined: 31 Jul 2005
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Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:53 am Post subject: |
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| I have not heard of these Friday meetings. I dont attend any meetings as it is. I am not required. I cant see much changing. We have been doing step and jump for the past few months. No problems there. It is a joke. |
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Demophobe

Joined: 17 May 2004
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Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:54 am Post subject: |
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| mack the knife wrote: |
But you're not in the GEPIK program, correct? |
Technically, no, but I am bound by the same contract as GEPIK people.
One question to the 'real' GEPIK folks because I really don't know; is there absolutely no way around any of the negatives? What if one were to talk to the principal of the school? This is how I got out of many things that my contract stated, by reasoning with the principal. Does GEPIK have agents that go around to see that the contracts are strictly enforced? |
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flotsam
Joined: 28 Mar 2006
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Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:00 am Post subject: |
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| Demophobe wrote: |
Does GEPIK have agents that go around to see that the contracts are strictly enforced? |
The Seognam City program does. And they require regular paperwork on how the NET is being employed during the semesters and breaks. The only way to get around it is by fudging the paperwork--and I have a friend whose school did this, but they aren't so sure they will be able to continue doing this, and all such future fudging would be subject to change without notice. |
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happygirl

Joined: 20 Feb 2006
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Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:33 am Post subject: |
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| VanIslander wrote: |
| Hyeon Een wrote: |
| I haven't, and don't, work for a public school. However I know a LOT of people who do work for public schools. Where I live (Jeollanam do) almost everyone has been recruited through an outfit called Canadian Connections. They all get at least a month (up to 6 or 7 weeks) in the winter, and 2+ (up to 6) weeks in the summer vacation. |
Yep. This April I contacted Canadian Connections about those 6-12 weeks off positions (one of the prime advantages over hagwons) for 2.4-2.5 with my CELTA, and was told that one MUST not be in Korea to get it, had to return to Canada first, though on their dime. But I really didn't want a public school position and opted for a three-day weekend job instead.
Sounds like GEPIK up around Seoul is in for a rude awakening. |
Who did you talk to? I'm going home and will wait to apply until then. About ready to sign with GEPIK but had doubts. After these postings - NO WAY. I'll do a hogwan gig again with 10 days vacation before working under these conditions. |
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mack the knife

Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: standing right behind you...
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Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 2:33 am Post subject: |
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| is there absolutely no way around any of the negatives? What if one were to talk to the principal of the school? |
That was the case for the first two years, then it all went to hell in a handbasket. |
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flotsam
Joined: 28 Mar 2006
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Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:07 am Post subject: |
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| mack the knife wrote: |
| Quote: |
| is there absolutely no way around any of the negatives? What if one were to talk to the principal of the school? |
That was the case for the first two years, then it all went to hell in a handbasket. |
And I believe the basket-makers are shagging like bunnies all around the peninsula. |
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manlyboy

Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Location: Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
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Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm probably staying, but haven't signed anything yet. I haven't heard anything about unpaid meetings on Fridays. That could be a deal breaker for me. Missing out on a pay raise sucks, but I'm prepared to accept that as I'm happy here, and I'm not prepared to give it up over 100 000 won a month. "Step and Jump" is just a supplementary booklet of listen-and-repeat dialogs. It requires all of 60 seconds prep to include it in a lesson. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:42 am Post subject: |
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I think something is going on with these meetings
Why?
Well if these meetings are to be held in say Seoul (it's the easiest to get to) there are going to be problems.
Let's take me for example. I live in the sticks about 1 hr from the nearest subway station in Seoul. And I finish school at 5 o'clock. Then I have to wait for the bus as I live 20 minutes ride away. By the time I get home it's almost six. Then another hour to get to Seoul. Then I have to catch a bus or the subway to where we are all meeting. Maybe I get there at 7:30. If I have dinner first I won't get there until 8 (when it is finishing).
If however they have meetings in every town where there are foreigners that's going to cost a lot of money. The logistics and money involved THREE FRIDAYS OF EVERY MONTH would be challenging. I doubt these meetings are going to go ahead. |
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