Korean Job Discussion Forums

[some waygug-in]

There were a few problems at the school that I was not happy about but I think mostly it is just me. I can't play the game. I don't want to be a kiddie clown. I want to be an educator.

I plan on doing post grad studies next year and I want to teach English to international college students, people who actually want to learn English. I would fair better with strictly middle school, high school, and college students. I am now looking for work in the Busan area where I can teach mainly any of the above mentioned students.

Take care,

Kate[/quote]


Don't count on high school students to be any more enthusiastic, college students either. Although, at least they won't try and poke their fingers up your butt.

I think that part of the problem is that Koreans are forced to learn English so not many really "want" to learn. They get so used to English class being somewhat of a joke, so it's hard to change that attitude.
They also get the idea that sitting passively in a classroom is the same thing as studying. It's hard to find students who are really interested in "studying" English.

There are some, but they are the exception.

By the way, if you are in Busan, would you like to get together for a coffee or something?

Just curious.

Cheers

[K-in-C]

[quote="K-in-C"][ My heart is crying a zillion tears right now as I have decided it is best for all concerned if I give my notice.

Today when I went to work the team supervisor told me that a boy accused me of hitting him several times last night. I, swear, I did not hit this boy. My boss would not even talk to me about it. She just stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

I was upset with the boy as he was talking to someone when a student was taking his turn reading. I had to repeat the correct pronunciation three times as he was not paying attention.

I wanted to ask a Korean teacher to talk to him about the situation, so I said. "Come on, let's go." He wouldn't budge so I grabbed him by the ear, gently albiet, and brought him to the office. The teacher took him into the conference room, and he started balling his eyes out and told her that he was paying attention but that another student asked what a word was and so he told her. He did not explain this to me. Regardless, she should have waited until the person was done reading and then asked what the word was.

When my boss returned she still would not talk with me. She did not accept my truth, as told to her by the team supervisor, who also did not accept my side of the story. I thought that the boy and his father should have met with us to sort the problem out, however, the fault was just put on me.

I don't believe in hitting students and my heart is in great pain because my boss found fault with me and won't even look at me anymore without disdain.

Anyway, that is my rant. For the next two months I will go to work unhappy as I do not have the support and trust of my co-workers, but even worse than that, is the fact that I use to have a great relationship with my boss, but now that has all changed.

My boss has agreed to give me a letter of release, however, my character has been insulted and I am greatly offended by this. I just feel like crying at this moment. [quote]

This is a continuation of my rant. I'm just basically venting so if you want just move on.

As I mentioned above, I had wanted the boy who accused me of hitting him repeatedly, and his father to come in and discuss the situation. I wanted this boy to show us his back and the supposed marks his father claims I left on it. This would have been best done the next day after the confrontation.

Well now, because I went to my boss and mentioned that I saw her and him having a discussion in her office and I had wondered what he had said to her a whole other bunch of complaints have surfaced. My request to have the issue with the boy dealt with was swept under the carpet as my boss wanted to change the conversation over from the serious topic at hand to a discussion about other issues.

Supposedly, many of the students have complained that my classes are
boring. I admit that after the whole typhoon thing went down my attitude changed and it has been difficult, because of the whole leper treatment I received, to be Ms. Fun with a capital 'F'. I asked my boss when these complaints began and she said this had been an issue right from the beginning. However, just over a month ago my boss had only good things to say to me about how the students felt about me.

I am soooooo frustrated. Why is it that one month my boss is treating me like the golden child and then the next month she is treating me like a leper. My heart has been racing for three days now.

In the end the supervisor said that she did not care about the situation with the boy anymore. She did switch me from his class, at my request, even though I'm sure they did it more for themselves then me. (The business's financial difficulties and the fear of losing a client being is surely one of the main reasons behind it.) I freaked out and asked why they just couldn't try to see things from my point of view. I told them that honesty did not seem to be a characteristic that was important to them. Then I left for the day. Yes, my shift was over.

Also, a little off topic, but still a serious issue, is the fact that none of my co-workers, or my suervisor, know my address. And, for that matter nor do I. They never bothered to take the time to tell me it and teach me how to say it in case an emergency ever arises.

Do I have a right to be extremely upset over this whole situation?

Signing off sad,

Kate

P.S. Austin, stiffle it.

[K-in-C]

Here's an update on the conflict at my hakwon:

Hello,

Thanks again to all who wrote notes of support.

My boss has apologied to me and told me that it is not
me but just a bad situation that has come about. She
has spoken to Immigration and they have guaranteed
that I will not have a problem obtaining another E-2
Visa. She will keep me on until I have found suitable
employment elsewhere. She has offered to write me a
letter of recommendation, as well as a Letter of
Release. She will also recommend me to a couple of
school here in town.

I feel relieved, but sad, that all this conflict came
about, however, I think there are better days ahead.

Kindest regards,

Kate

[nshadow]

I agree with you. I just got "terminated" from my last hogwan in September in Suwon, under mostly b.s. conditions. In the process the director has made it hard to get any teaching jobs in Seoul and Suwon. After that, the former recruiter is demanding I pay him 1 million won for damages to his agency, which he changed the name twice in 1 year. Which I refused.
The Director at my former school found my missing wallet, and want's 600,000 won to get it back. In the mean time he has attempted to use my Social Security card, photo copied passport photo, and California Drivers Licence to blacklist me. I called the U.S. embassy after I he told me that, and they took down my information, which i don't know what they will do after that.

Anway. After 7 days of looking for work. I did find a nice new school, and explained to them what happened, and they understood.

[Son Deureo!]

Only seven days to find a new job, and your former boss was actively trying to keep you from getting a job?

And they say the job market is bad these days?

[hadeshorn]

Man did I miss the Korean gravy train. I should have been here a few years ago I keep hearing.

Itaewon was cool, Jobs were plentiful as well as the privates.

Ho hum, what can you do?

The wages have improved tho, but wait until they take a dive because of supply outstripping demand.

[Squid]

I got teary because I couldn't find the holepunch and the bad Korean had hidden it...

GORD! GORD! WHERE ARE YOU GORD????

Squid