Korean Job Discussion Forums

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So my boss came up with this hairbrained gimmick because our hagwon wasnt 'unique enough'. Basically, i have to ring ALL of my students in the evenings and talk to them for two to three minutes. He says he has a book for me to use for this exceptional plan but he doesnt have it yet. Yet he wants me to lesson plan for it anyway, today, just before I go on vacation. Not only is it a dumb idea, I'll probably have to spend an extra hour in work each day because of it.

Any idea's on how to approach this farce?

[Whistleblower]

Just agree and forget about doing it. This is called the Korean Agreement.

[BS.Dos.]

Hogwons. They really know how to treat people like complete cunts.

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I mean, he's the boss and all, and generally I do what he tells me. Would I be overstepping it to tell him that I think its a dumb idea with next to no benefit to the students?

[Whistleblower]

Post up your contract on this thread and we will be able to provide any advice. Also be aware that overtime is voluntary and you don't have to agree to this. He cannot force you or fire you for not doing it.

[Ya-ta Boy]

As long as you will get paid for it and have agreed to do it, what's the problem? Think of it as listening practice. My friends who can speak reasonably well face-to-face have serious problems speaking on the phone because they lack the visual cues. Work with that.

Start with simple phone ettiquete lessons...How many people have called you and said, "This is Kim"? Drives me nuts. I know at least 1,000 people named Kim. Most of my friends hang up without a goodbye.

Do short 1 and 2 sentence dictations.

Ask them questions about other students in class.

Have them spell vocabulary words.

If you are studying prepositions, write a short paragraph, leave out the prepositions, read it to them over the phone while they write in the missing words.
Have them do math problems. What is 15 + 52? Clue: It isn't 102.

[Whistleblower]

It is a pipe dream. DON"T DO IT. You are regarded as the hagwon slave by the management. If the boss really respected you and their school, they wouldn't do it. Remember teaching students anywhere else a part from the school's designated location is illegal in the Ministry of Education books.

[Skippy]

Ahh phone interviews/teaching - so unique and original. Been around for years. Your boss took out an old and called it new ha.

This usually gets on most teachers *beep*.

First off the school does not want to likely pay you overtime to do this - as tada........ it is not class you teaching it will be considered extra duties like grading papers.

Second, the old promise it will only take a few minutes a night. Mean expect an hour or two of banging you head. The trying to make who ever picks up the phone that you want to speak to "child 1". Then the comic routine of explaining who you are to said child and they finally getting down to the brass tacks. OR not getting the child as sorry he is at TaeKwonDo please call in an hour. OR not getting anything at all.

Third, having to come up with material. Then having to teach the material or give the material BEFORE the phone call. Sorry can not have off the cuff answers the kids need to know the answers.

Fourth, Language barrier. True you will improve your Korean ability to the extent of allowing you to use the phone. But expect some crossed wires buddy.

Hmm what else pissed me off about this. As yes the timing after teaching for 5 to 6 hours and wanting to get the heck out of the school they want to you to stick around LONGER for something so aggravating. Yea grading papers is annoying but it can be mind numbing not mind blowing.

My advice is make a good effort for a while then let it die with a whimper as these ideas/programs usually do. Or ask for some reasonableness like each student once a month as a sort of test. And DO ask for money as most managers would rather let the idea die then pay for it.

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thanks for the advice skippy

I'll probably be here until about 10 or 10 thirty tonight, planning this turd of a programme. The day before my vacation.

I wouldnt mind if this would actually benefit the students, but i cant possibly see how this will work. The input to learning benefit ratio is all out of wack In this scribes opinon.

Yeah, I'll give it a shot for a month, and then politely let him know that the whole thing is utterly useless.

[Whistleblower]

Don't even lift a finger. Do the Korean Agreement. Go, "yeah, yeah, yeah" and then leave work at the usual time. If he asks, just say that you tried to call but the kids were sleeping.

[sojourner1]

I did this crap last year where I had to stay later for no extra pay at a hoggywon.

Luckily they finally paid my pension money, but 6 months late and I got my refund a few days ago; some 7 months and 2 weeks after finishing that job.

Paying our dues....

[joshuahirtle27]