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adverge
Joined: 16 May 2006
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 Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:10 am Post subject: End of Rope |
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I'm at the end of my rope with my school now.
Today we were given new schedules and three of the foreign teachers were handed 32 to 37 classes per week. One foreign teacher, the supposed 'lead teacher,' was given 22 classes.
This guy arrived at the school as a regular teacher then two weeks later, after much butt kissing, was named lead teacher.
Now all four of us are supposed to 'design the curriculum' for the school. We don't have a set curriculum. We have to design one and come up with lesson plans.
The director told me today that the lead was given less classes to do this but he's only doing the speaking classes. I've been working on the writing classes and I still have more than 30 classes a week to teach.
On top of all this a couple times a month we're supposed to observe each others classes and give grades for the classes. I outright refused to do this and later when looking at my schedule I realised I have no time to do this anyways.
Has anyone else ever arrived at a school and been told they have to design the curriculum? The director told us he wants it by January to use as advertising.
He also wants us to make sure the older students get high test scores on the TOEFL test so he can use that too. |
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Khyron
Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:15 am Post subject: Re: End of Rope |
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| adverge wrote: |
I'm at the end of my rope with my school now.
Today we were given new schedules and three of the foreign teachers were handed 32 to 37 classes per week. One foreign teacher, the supposed 'lead teacher,' was given 22 classes.
This guy arrived at the school as a regular teacher then two weeks later, after much butt kissing, was named lead teacher.
Now all four of us are supposed to 'design the curriculum' for the school. We don't have a set curriculum. We have to design one and come up with lesson plans.
The director told me today that the lead was given less classes to do this but he's only doing the speaking classes. I've been working on the writing classes and I still have more than 30 classes a week to teach.
On top of all this a couple times a month we're supposed to observe each others classes and give grades for the classes. I outright refused to do this and later when looking at my schedule I realised I have no time to do this anyways.
Has anyone else ever arrived at a school and been told they have to design the curriculum? The director told us he wants it by January to use as advertising.
He also wants us to make sure the older students get high test scores on the TOEFL test so he can use that too. |
How much extra are you being paid for this? What does your contract say about how much you will be working, and what your duties are?
I hope it's at least 3.0 million a month (plus the free apartment and plane ride). That should be the bare minimum for this much work. |
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adverge
Joined: 16 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:16 am Post subject: |
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Not nearly that much, but I get the apartment and airfare.
I forgot to mention that on top of all this, the lead teacher keeps telling me I'm going to be fired if I disagree with anything. He's constantly threatening me with being fired. |
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adverge
Joined: 16 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:18 am Post subject: |
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| Also, our classes are 40 minutes long and the director doesn't count them as academic hours so he always tells us we're working less hours than what the contract says anyways, which is "about 30 hours of teaching plus a minimum of 1 unpaid lesson planning". The lead teacher always pulls out that it says "minimum" and we should be willing to put in more. This guy puts in 60+ hours of work a week for some reason. |
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adverge
Joined: 16 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:20 am Post subject: |
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This is my contract. I don't see anything in it about curriculum development:
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
1. INTRODUCTION:This is an agreement between (hereinafter called `the instructor') and LEL SIJI Language School (hereinafter called `the institute' or `the school' : , Korea). The instructor agrees to teach students at the institute at the times designated by the institute management, and agrees to develop and present educational programs for the students. The instructor agrees to follow and strictly comply with the School's policies and guidelines during the period of this agreement.
2. CONTRACT DURATION:
(A) It is hereby agreed between the school and the instructor that the instructor shall teach at the school for one year, starting from July 3rd of 2006 (The starting date of the contract is the teacher�s teaching date of Korea ).
(B) If the instructor wishes to renew his/her contract at the end of one year, he/she must inform the School two months prior to the end of one year's service, and the contract may, if both parties agree, be renewed at that time for another year by mutual agreement.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEACHER:
(A). The teacher is expected to devote no less than 1 hour a day at the institute for the lesson planning with co-teachers, student evaluations, syllabuses, telephone English, report cards, field trips, consultation with parents, supervision of play, maintenance of the English environment during breaks, workshops, staff meetings, and upgrading ones professional knowledge and skills without additional pay. The work week will follow the yearly academic calendar issued by the school
(B) The instructor's working hours shall be determined by the School's schedule. However, the teaching schedule can be changed according to School�s schedule.
(C) The instructor is responsible for familiarizing him or herself with all institute materials relevant to teaching at the School. The instructor shall faithfully teach and train students at the School.
4. TEACHER'S SALARY:
(A) The teacher's total monthly salary shall be 2.1 million won. The teacher's annual salary will total 25.2 million won. A severance pay bonus equivalent to one month salary will also be paid at the end of the contract. This compensation is in exchange for teaching an average of 6 hours a day, five days per week.
(B) On completion of ones responsibilities of the full contract period, the severance pay is 2.1 million won equivalent to the monthly salary. It will be paid only at the completion of the contract.
(C) ) If the instructor teaches, by mutual agreement of the instructor and
employer, additional teaching hours over and above 30 hours per week. Overtime compensation at 18,000 Won/hour shall be paid for those hours. If you teach on Saturday, overtime compensation at 18,000 won per hour shall be paid regardless of week teaching hours.
(D) The instructor's salary will be paid monthly on the regular day(10th) for payment of instructor's salaries.
5. AIRFARE TO KOREA:
The instructor's one-way economy class or regular class airfare to Korea will be paid by the school or the school reimburse to the teacher in case the teacher buy the ticket. Return airfare to the teacher's home country shall be paid by the school upon completion of the 12 month contractual teaching period. Return airfare will not be provided if the teacher leaves the school prior to completion of the 12 month teaching period. The departure airport should be an international airport near teachers� home. (Not domestic airport)
6. HOUSING:
(A) The institute will provide a private single person accommodation free-of-charge to the teacher.
(B) The teacher's apartment furnishings shall include: basic cooking utensils such as pots pans and dishes; a stove; a refrigerator; a bed with clean linen; a washing machine; and a closet, heater, table and chairs, TV, and phone.
(C) Costs for all utilities, including lighting, heat, and water, shall be borne by the teacher.
7. VACATION TIME:
The teacher shall enjoy 10 days of paid vacation (in addition to all Korean
national holidays and Saturdays and Sundays). The paid vacation will be normally 5 days for summer, 5 days for winter. But the schedule can be changed by school�s schedule. Documented sick leave and emergency leave will be paid for a combined total of 3 working days a year. The teacher should provide the institute with as much advance notice as possible. The teacher should submit doctor�s prescription to the school for approving sick leaves. Unused sick leave may not be converted into any cash payment. If it is found that the hours/days of absence reported as sick leave or emergency leave were not in fact for such purposes, related costs shall be subtracted from the following months pay. The above leaves will be included in the period of medical care compensation according to the Article 78 of Korean Labor Standard Law.
8. INCOME TAX:
Approximately 5% per month of the instructor's salary shall be deducted by the employer as withholding tax. as provided by Korean law.
9. KOREAN HEALTH INSURANCE:
Instructor will be covered by medical benefits under the Korean Medical Insurance Union, a Government Health Organization. The cost of this coverage will be borne half by employer and half by instructor. Instructor's share of this coverage will be deducted from instructor's monthly salary."
10. DUTY OF SECRECY:
(A) The instructor shall not disclose any of the contents of this agreement, including salary, to a third party (including other employees of the school)
(B) The instructor shall not disclose any information relating to the contents of lecturers and business operation of the School without prior permission of the School. Violation of this portion of the contract will cause the Instructor to be responsible to compensate the School for all possible losses suffered by the School.
11. ADDITIONAL DUTIES:
(A) The instructor is required to conduct him/herself in a professional manner and to wear neat attire while at the school. Casual clothing is acceptable, provided that it is neat and clean.
(B) The following forms of behavior will not be permitted.
1) Not following scheduled class timetables and dismissing, canceling, or starting classes late without the prior approval of the institute director.
2) Conducting class while under the influence of alcohol, while smoking, or under the influence of illegal drugs.
3) Making sexual advances towards, or entering in to relationships with students or employees of the School.
(C) The institute shall have the right to terminate this contract if the instructor violates the contract or fails to conduct him/herself in a professional manner. At least two weeks termination notice will be given to the instructor in such case. In this case, the institute has no duty to give the severance pay bonus and return airfare to the instructor.
(D) If the Employee wishes to voluntarily resign from employment before the completion of this contract the employee must provide written notice to the Employer at least 6 weeks before the resignation
(E) For a dismissal or voluntary resignation within 8 months of this Contract period, the amount of airfare will be deducted from the Employee�s last monthly salary.
(F) The teacher cannot work for other schools or companies without the consent of the school.
12. Both parties have carefully read this contract; They have agreed to its terms in good faith; and they will attempt to resolve any disputes which may arise in accordance with the terms of the contract, and in a reasonable manner. All disputes which cannot be resolved by the parties to this contract will be resolved through the legal system of Korea in accordance with Korean law.
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:25 am Post subject: Re: End of Rope |
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| adverge wrote: |
I'm at the end of my rope with my school now.
Today we were given new schedules and three of the foreign teachers were handed 32 to 37 classes per week. One foreign teacher, the supposed 'lead teacher,' was given 22 classes.
This guy arrived at the school as a regular teacher then two weeks later, after much butt kissing, was named lead teacher.
Now all four of us are supposed to 'design the curriculum' for the school. We don't have a set curriculum. We have to design one and come up with lesson plans.
The director told me today that the lead was given less classes to do this but he's only doing the speaking classes. I've been working on the writing classes and I still have more than 30 classes a week to teach.
On top of all this a couple times a month we're supposed to observe each others classes and give grades for the classes. I outright refused to do this and later when looking at my schedule I realised I have no time to do this anyways.
Has anyone else ever arrived at a school and been told they have to design the curriculum? The director told us he wants it by January to use as advertising.
He also wants us to make sure the older students get high test scores on the TOEFL test so he can use that too. |
In a word... hand in your notice and quit.
You were foolish enough to sign a bad contract and now you don't like it.
Let me guess, it says 30 hours per week and your boss interprets that to mean up to 40 classes of 45 minutes per week. You contract also has those fuzzy required "extra duties" like curriculum planning, meetings, etc.?
The teacher is expected to devote no less than 1 hour a day at the institute for the lesson planning with co-teachers, student evaluations, syllabuses, telephone English, report cards, field trips, consultation with parents, supervision of play, maintenance of the English environment during breaks, workshops, staff meetings, and upgrading ones professional knowledge and skills without additional pay.
Syllabus = curriculum (they are almost synonymous)
Next time, check it out first!
Now you have 3 choices,
1) Live with it. You signed a bad deal this time and won't make the same mistake again next time. HARD KNOCKS is a good teacher.
2) Negotiate a better deal. This requires some good interpersonal skills, and some give/take.
3) Cut your losses, give your notice and quit. This may cost you (loss of airfare, severance, etc) but you are out of it.
Good luck to you.
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Last edited by ttompatz on Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:31 am; edited 1 time in total |
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adverge
Joined: 16 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:30 am Post subject: |
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| But I don't think the contract is that bad. It's just never followed by the school at all, or 'reinterpretted'. |
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adverge
Joined: 16 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:32 am Post subject: |
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| The problem is that 3 teachers have a lot of work while the butt kisser has very little. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:35 am Post subject: |
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| adverge wrote: |
| But I don't think the contract is that bad. It's just never followed by the school at all, or 'reinterpretted'. |
Actually from your complaint in the original post, they are following it exactly with the interpretation in their favor.
They are within the letter of the contract even if it is not within the spirit of what you thought you were signing.
Ambiguous contract always = problems later.
Sorry dude. 3 choices. Pick one. |
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Roch
Joined: 24 Apr 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:37 am Post subject: Re: End of Rope |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| adverge wrote: |
I'm at the end of my rope with my school now.
Today we were given new schedules and three of the foreign teachers were handed 32 to 37 classes per week. One foreign teacher, the supposed 'lead teacher,' was given 22 classes.
This guy arrived at the school as a regular teacher then two weeks later, after much butt kissing, was named lead teacher.
Now all four of us are supposed to 'design the curriculum' for the school. We don't have a set curriculum. We have to design one and come up with lesson plans.
The director told me today that the lead was given less classes to do this but he's only doing the speaking classes. I've been working on the writing classes and I still have more than 30 classes a week to teach.
On top of all this a couple times a month we're supposed to observe each others classes and give grades for the classes. I outright refused to do this and later when looking at my schedule I realised I have no time to do this anyways.
Has anyone else ever arrived at a school and been told they have to design the curriculum? The director told us he wants it by January to use as advertising.
He also wants us to make sure the older students get high test scores on the TOEFL test so he can use that too. |
In a word... hand in your notice and quit.
You were foolish enough to sign a bad contract and now you don't like it.
Let me guess, it says 30 hours per week and your boss interprets that to mean up to 40 classes of 45 minutes per week. You contract also has those fuzzy required "extra duties" like curriculum planning, meetings, etc.?
The teacher is expected to devote no less than 1 hour a day at the institute for the lesson planning with co-teachers, student evaluations, syllabuses, telephone English, report cards, field trips, consultation with parents, supervision of play, maintenance of the English environment during breaks, workshops, staff meetings, and upgrading ones professional knowledge and skills without additional pay.
Syllabus = curriculum (they are almost synonymous)
Next time, check it out first!
Now you have 3 choices,
1) Live with it. You signed a bad deal this time and won't make the same mistake again next time. HARD KNOCKS is a good teacher.
2) Negotiate a better deal. This requires some good interpersonal skills, and some give/take.
3) Cut your losses, give your notice and quit. This may cost you (loss of airfare, severance, etc) but you are out of it.
Good luck to you.
. |
You are abolutely correct: Trying to change the deal a.s.a.p. may help out the OP. If this tactic fails, there is a good argument that "sticking it out", barring a hostile, antiwaegookin workplace, may be the alternative. In some sense, this might be doable after a bit of time. |
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adverge
Joined: 16 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:39 am Post subject: |
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I really don't mind continuining under this contract. The school is not bad, the people are nice, they just like to be wishywashy about stuff and like to reinterpret stuff. It's not a perfect contract and I would certainly ask for different things next time.
My original complaint was about the fact that three teachers are working a lot of extra hours and the butt kisser not many. The curriculum is an extra annoyance.
Also, please don't call me dude. I'm not male. |
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adverge
Joined: 16 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:41 am Post subject: |
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The Koreans aren't hostile.
It's this bloody American fellow who came in and became lead teacher who is hostile and making everyone's lives hell.
Like I said, every time anyone disagrees with him he tells them they'll be fired. |
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adverge
Joined: 16 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:43 am Post subject: |
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When I started reading this forum a couple of years ago people used to be helpful and supportive. Now people just say "You signed the contract! Haha! Quit or live with it!"
Really, if that's all you have to add to the conversation please don't. |
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huffdaddy
Joined: 25 Nov 2005
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:44 am Post subject: |
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| adverge wrote: |
I forgot to mention that on top of all this, the lead teacher keeps telling me I'm going to be fired if I disagree with anything. He's constantly threatening me with being fired. |
Option 4: Tell him/her to go ahead and fire you. Stand up to him/her. Worst case scenario is that they do. Get your letter of release and move on. Even better, have all 3 FTs form a united front. Do you think they'd rather lose their lead teacher or 3 teachers? |
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adverge
Joined: 16 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:46 am Post subject: |
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I did stand up to him today.
He's been telling us he's leaving in December. Today when he told me I was going to be fired, I told him I'd tell the director he's planning on leaving in December.
It shut him up and he was nice to me the rest of the day.
I'm thinking of talking directly to the school director and telling him that this guy keeps threatening to get me fired. |
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