Korean Job Discussion Forums

mysteriousdeltarays · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 11:23 am Post subject:

Well I can tell this is a high priority problem. Perhaps you should consult EFL-law.com They know it all! They are so cool.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

For what it's worth.
I've found that dealing with Koreans is tricky - to say the least. "The truth is just not in them"
However, one thing Koreans DO UNDERSTAND is MONEY. If you tailor ALL your dealing with them on their level (money) you can get some satisfaction .
I, too, had a vacation planned for christmas (Thailand). All dates agreed, tickets bought, mind in vacation mode. Surprise, 1 week before I was to leave the school tried to cancel my vacation. ("The parents don't like their children not being taught by a foreign teacher " excuse).

After some very embarrassing conversations with the Director I agreed with him: "Yes, of course I'll cancel my vacation. No problem. The school can just pay the cancelation penalty on my air ticket - and re-imburse my unused accommodation and pre-paid bus tickets."

Funnily enough, no more was said. Classes were arranged. Everyone was smiling again. (And I got my measly 1 week vacation in Thaialand).
I think that it also helps to tell your Director that while Korean parents think it's OK to make their kids study 365 days a year, this isn't acceptable in Western countries. And that teaching 360 days a year without a break is not acceptable for Western workers. I had to tell my Boss "that's why Western teachers leave Korea after only working 2-4 months".
I think he got it. But it was 'THE MONEY' that swung the argument my way.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

For what it's worth.
I've found that dealing with Koreans is tricky - to say the least. "The truth is just not in them"
However, one thing Koreans DO UNDERSTAND is MONEY. If you tailor ALL your dealing with them on their level (money) you can get some satisfaction .
I, too, had a vacation planned for christmas (Thailand). All dates agreed, tickets bought, mind in vacation mode. Surprise, 1 week before I was to leave the school tried to cancel my vacation. ("The parents don't like their children not being taught by a foreign teacher " excuse).

After some very embarrassing conversations with the Director I agreed with him: "Yes, of course I'll cancel my vacation. No problem. The school can just pay the cancelation penalty on my air ticket - and re-imburse my unused accommodation and pre-paid bus tickets."

Funnily enough, no more was said. Classes were arranged. Everyone was smiling again. (And I got my measly 1 week vacation in Thaialand).
I think that it also helps to tell your Director that while Korean parents think it's OK to make their kids study 365 days a year, this isn't acceptable in Western countries. And that teaching 360 days a year without a break is not acceptable for Western workers. I had to tell my Boss "that's why Western teachers leave Korea after only working 2-4 months".
I think he got it. But it was 'THE MONEY' that swung the argument my way.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Of course, you're right.
I don't teach on every day.
It's just when you teach for a full year and you haven't had any vacation then it FEELS LIKE you teach FOR 360 days.