Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fromtheuk]

At the weekend a friend translated a letter from myself to the Principal of my school into Korean, asking him to sign my contract early, so I can visit immigration before the new visa regulations kick in.

I will give it to him this morning, because my co-teacher comes back to school tomorrow. This way I don't have to rely on her to translate for me.

I hope the Principal gives me a speedy answer.

[spliff]

Errr...thanx for the update..

[pkang0202]

You best make sure you follow the proper format for getting the principal to sign something. Maybe there is a special folder the papers must be in. Maybe you have to bring your own pen. I've seen/heard of many instances of the Principals refusing or even verbally berating teachers for getting it wrong.

[fromtheuk]

I'm going to give him the letter today, which explains in detail why I want him to sign the contract early, to avoid the post March 15th visa regulations.

I won't give him the contract today, but if he agrees to sign it, my co-teacher can give the Principal the new contract to sign, when she returns either tomorrow or soon after that.

The idea is I can bypass my co-teacher, so the Principal knows exactly why I want him to sign the contract early. I don't trust my co-teacher to give a detailed translation/explanation to my Principal, that's why I asked a friend to translate my own text for the Principal to read instead.

[nomad-ish]

i'm still surprised you are renewing at that school. it seems like they've been pretty nasty to you.

[boyne11]

[mrsquirrel]

[fromtheuk]

I'm lazy, I can't be bothered to move. The English room is really plush now it's been renovated, and the nasty treatment has been from my co-teacher not the school.

I will wait and see what the new co-teacher is like. At least I have a year now to plan ahead for the next job.

I'm thinking about finding one of those jobs where unofficially I get longer vacation time, leave school at the end of camp instead of at 4.40 pm etc.

I recently got married and feel quite settled in my apartment. It's convenient to stay where I am.

[fromtheuk]

I just gave my translation to the Principal, he seemed to be in a good mood. I'll wait for his answer.

Here's the English version:

DEAR PRINCIPAL,

ON MARCH 15TH, THE VISA RULES FOR NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHERS IN KOREA WILL CHANGE.

IF YOU SIGN MY NEXT CONTRACT AFTER MARCH 15TH, I WILL NEED A NEW MEDICAL CHECK AND CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK TO GIVE IMMIGRATION WHEN I RENEW MY VISA.

IT TAKES AT LEAST 6 WEEKS TO GET A CRIMINAL CHECK DONE IN ENGLAND. I CAN DO A HEALTH CHECK AT ANY TIME IN KOREA.

BUT IF YOU SIGN MY NEXT CONTRACT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, I CAN GO TO IMMIGRATION TO RENEW MY VISA BEFORE MARCH 15TH, WITHOUT ANY NEW DOCUMENTS. I AM ABLE TO RENEW MY CONTRACT, 2 MONTHS BEFORE IT ENDS. MY CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRES ON MAY 13TH, SO I CAN VISIT IMMIGRATION STARTING FROM MARCH 13TH, WHICH I'M HAPPY TO SAY IS BEFORE MARCH 15TH.

I ASK IF YOU WILL PLEASE SIGN MY NEW CONTRACT VERY SOON TO
MAKE IT EASIER FOR ME TO RENEW MY VISA, SO I CAN GO TO IMMIGRATION BEFORE MARCH 15TH, WITHOUT NEEDING ANY NEW DOCUMENTS.

I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH,

YOURS SINCERELY,

............

I phoned immigration a couple of minutes ago, I got through to an English speaker and they confirmed if my contract expires on May 13th, I can renew the contract from March 13th, which would mean no further documents are required.

I believe the person I spoke to understood what I said and answered correctly (I hope so, the paranoia never seems to end).

[mrsquirrel]

It's 60 days before hand isn't it before you can renew


You had better check that out.

60 days would make it March 15th which is a Saturday.

17th would be the earliest you could renew.

I might be wrong though it could well be two months.

[fromtheuk]

mrsquirrel - I just called Wenise Kim before I read your post. I gave her the full story and she said it would be okay to renew from March 13th onwards.

In the GEPIK handbook my co-teacher has, I think it states 2 months before you can renew. I just called Wenise again, she explained 2 months means either 60 days or 2 months, she said both periods of time enable a school to find a new teacher if at that time, they don't want to renew a native teacher's contract.

She said whether it is 2 months or 60 days, it doesn't matter exactly which. Like an insecure moron, I asked her again if it would be okay for me to renew the contract from March 13th onwards, she said yes.

I have checked my co-teacher's handbook, it does say 2 months, then 60 days in brackets.

[mrsquirrel]

Now all you need is for your boss to ok it.

Good luck

[fromtheuk]

One other thing, I may be wrong, but 60 days before May 13th, means I can renew the contract starting from March 14th, so I could still renew it on that day, according to 2 months or 60 days, I think.

[Atavistic]

Your wife is a saint to not encourage you to leave. Or perhaps a masochist.