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Corporal
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| rapier wrote: |
The funny thing about making the effort to learn Korean is....
a) They're way more into learning English off you than helping you learn their language
b) While we grasp what they're trying to say in English quickly, no matter how contorted the sound, they don't get our pronunciation however rehearsed and perfect it is
c0 You actually look a little ridiculous studying korean hard because everyone knows its nowhere near as useful as English. Besides, they don't particularly like signs that you're intending to stay a long time in their country..
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Don't know if by "they" you mean all Koreans or just all Korean English teachers...but either way, you are wrong in each of your points here.
a) The K-teachers I've worked with have ALWAYS been too embarrassed to try to use me to improve their English. If anything, they resist getting me to help with answers. But they love helping me with my Korean because suddenly it gives them the chance to be the expert native speaker. And if they're a tad patronizing in doing so, so be it.
b) Their English pronunciation often sucks so bad I need them to repeat themselves. But when I speak Korean, I've never had a Korean adult not understand me. If anything, it's the younger kids who are not used to hearing Korean spoken slightly improperly and will say "neh?" for further clarification.
c) "they don't particularly like signs that you're intending to stay a long time in their country.."  That's the silliest thing yet. You really think they'd rather work with/befriend a burger-eating, beer-swilling skank who freely admits to not being interested in learning Korean or in investing in Korea? |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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| JongnoGuru wrote: |
"do you want to get fired?" (from someone who's not your boss)
At that point, all discussion would come to a screeching halt. Whatever I may have been prepared to do to meet their requests, whatever I might have proposed or considered with an open mind and sympathetic ear -- it's suddenly all off the table and I'm walking out -- until that comment is fully retracted, an apology is made, and an understanding is reached that there will be hell to pay if I ever hear it again (from anyone but my boss). |
I am utterly, completely, irrevocably with Mr. Guru on this one. That is/was completely unacceptable.
Is your boss paying pension?
Is he paying health insurance?
Is he remitting the tax he takes out of your salary?
If not, you have leverage. For example if the boss wasn't paying pension, I'd sit down with him and explain that I was quitting because of what the head teacher said. Furthermore I would explain that his school will be put on the "blacklist"  and that I would visit the pension office to have a talk about him.
Then I would explain that all this could be averted should the head teacher wish to apologize to me.
He may bluster a bit, but after thinking about all the extra expense and trouble you can cause him, you can bet the head teacher would get told to apologize 9 times out of 10. In the tenth case...well do you want to work in a place like that anyway? |
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Dan The Chainsawman
Joined: 05 May 2005
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| Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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sheeeshh found him again...
not very original chum. |
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Qinella
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib
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| Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 11:30 pm Post subject: Re: Heated Argument |
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| alabamaman wrote: |
Hello all,
I had a heated conversation with two of other Korean Teachers at work. The issue of a cash shortage was brought up by the head Korean Teacher, and asked him if I was at fault for the cash shortage. He said, "It's all our faults, and we must work together as a team!" I told him, "I just come to work and do my part." The issue of showing up 30 minutes early for work was brought up again. I had been showing up 25-30 minutes early to work. One of the teachers suggested that I show up to work 2 - 3 hours early to work. I replied, "Then put in my contract and pay me." I also said, "If you guys want me to do extra stuff, then it should be put in my contract." They were shocked. The head Korean Teacher piped up and said, "It's in your contract to teach 30 hours per week!" I replied, "First of all, "You don't have any business releasing anything from my contract in front of another teacher!" If I didn't say anything, then I would have allowed him in the future to talk about my contract in front of others. He went on to say, "do you want to get fired, do you want to get fired?" I spoke something to him in Spanish he didn't understand. He then went on to yelp that I should have come here to learn Korean! This was a rough day indeed. Was I justified on taking a stand with him about the contract, even though it may have been a small issue? |
You haven't given us any details as to the current situation, so it's impossible to assess whether or not the request was unfair. Are you already there 8 hours a day? Are you coming in just to teach your classes and then leaving shortly thereafter?
As for you losing your temper, that's simply unprofessional, and yes, in my opinion, you were wrong. There's no room for shouting, or even overt anger, in the workplace. It's totally possible to remain calm and discuss a situation, no matter how horrible or awful the topic may be.
I'll tell you a valuable lesson I learned. When I was in my last semester of college, I was the assistant manager of a fairly nice chain hotel, with promises of my own hotel when I graduated. $40k a year gig, nice location, etc. But, my best friend worked there with me, and he couldn't stand the fact that I had authority over him. One day, when I was talking with him about work issues, he got right up in my face, started shoving his chest against mine, and threatening me. I thought he was going to hit me, so I demobilized him as quickly as possible (restrained his arms, kicked his knees, forced him to the ground). Guess who got fired? Both of us.
My manager's lesson to me was: even if your co-worker HITS you, you do not retaliate. You must absolutely remain calm if you want to be in the right.
It was a tough lesson to learn, but there it is.
Q. |
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Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 11:41 pm Post subject: Re: Heated Argument |
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| alabamaman wrote: |
Hello all,
I had a heated conversation with two of other Korean Teachers at work. The issue of a cash shortage was brought up by the head Korean Teacher, and asked him if I was at fault for the cash shortage. He said, "It's all our faults, and we must work together as a team!" I told him, "I just come to work and do my part." The issue of showing up 30 minutes early for work was brought up again. I had been showing up 25-30 minutes early to work. One of the teachers suggested that I show up to work 2 - 3 hours early to work. I replied, "Then put in my contract and pay me." I also said, "If you guys want me to do extra stuff, then it should be put in my contract." They were shocked. The head Korean Teacher piped up and said, "It's in your contract to teach 30 hours per week!" I replied, "First of all, "You don't have any business releasing anything from my contract in front of another teacher!" If I didn't say anything, then I would have allowed him in the future to talk about my contract in front of others. He went on to say, "do you want to get fired, do you want to get fired?" I spoke something to him in Spanish he didn't understand. He then went on to yelp that I should have come here to learn Korean! This was a rough day indeed. Was I justified on taking a stand with him about the contract, even though it may have been a small issue? |
What makes you think the other teachers didn't know all the details of it long before you were hired?
Discuss this matter with your real boss. |
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Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 11:43 pm Post subject: Re: Heated Argument |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| alabamaman wrote: |
| He went on to say, "do you want to get fired, do you want to get fired?" I spoke something to him in Spanish he didn't understand. He then went on to yelp that I should have come here to learn Korean! This was a rough day indeed. Was I justified on taking a stand with him about the contract, even though it may have been a small issue? |
So when did you hand in your notice ?? The hakwan can replace him in a heartbeat (unless he is the owner) .... you are one expensive commodity... Piss in his cornflakes... give WRITTEN notice to the BOSS that you are quitting and he is the reason....
You have already had your argument with him... you year will be hell now anyway... so you have nothing to lose. |
Good idea. |
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own_king
Joined: 17 Apr 2004
Location: here
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| Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 11:55 am Post subject: |
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| Ya-ta Boy wrote: |
| If you were hired 'back home' as a teacher, you would be offered and you would accept a salary. X amount of money for a year's worth of work, with no discussion of how many hours per day or whatever. You would know how many class hours you would be teaching, but you would not dream of discussing with your boss how many hours of preparation, grading, office hours, test writing, counselling, etc. etc. etc. you would be doing. . . In my opinion, your Korean co-workers were reacting from two motives: one of them being the one stated above; the second, the Korean thing of loyalty to the employer. I don't want to get into the relative merits of the Korean aspect of it. That is their thing and it is what it is. |
First of all, we are not 'back home', remember THIS IS KOLEEEYA, as I am told numerous times a day by the ajossies on the subway. And then you use the convoluted argument of we're in Korea so need to respect their loyalty to the boss, etc. So which is it? You can't have it both ways, even though most hagwon owners think they can. Stick to your guns OP. |
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