Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mr_Anderson · Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Location: New Zealand

Hi,
I'm an EPIK (public school) teacher and am wondering something about holiday time. I'm a newbie and been here about 4 months now, and I have "Winter Camp" to teach during the vacations.

I found out a couple weeks ago I only have Xmas Day, January 1, and January 26-27 (lunar new year) off, then the school term [they said] starts again on February 2. (I get all the Saturdays and Sundays off in between obviously).

On top of these regular holidays, I only get my '7 working days in Winter' to take off (as per contract).

Is this a raw deal or is this common? I find out many PS teachers have more time off than this, and I'm starting to feel like I'm getting exploited here or something! I don't get paid extra for the camp either.

Please give me your honest opinion.

Mr_Anderson · Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Location: New Zealand

I forgot to add, for Winter Camp, I teach 20hrs per week (4 classes per day, all in the mornings, from Monday to Friday). After the classes are finished I do get to go home (no deskwarming!)

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

You got what you signed on for. They are following the contract so you have no reason to complain. Did you get a raw deal? No. Did you get a great deal? No. Is being able to home at lunch time a nice perk? Yes.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 11:50 am Post subject:

I agree with Otherside. It could be worse - they could make stay at school all afternoon after you finished morning camp.

jiyull · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Location: Seoul

It depends on your school and province.
Some schools cannot afford winter camp and won't even have a single teacher in during the break.

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

Colorado · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject:

Your situation is the same as mine. It's not the best deal in town, but as some have noted, it could be worse. You never know exactly what you're going to get by changing schools either. It's always a roll of the dice.
For me, it' s fair enough and there are other things about my school that I like and that keep me here, but a new principal could change all that in a heartbeat.