Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lilith63]

I'm miserable here. I'm teaching in Yongin and have the worst co-teacher. I have no say in the lesson planning, and rarely get to teach. When I do, she changes it mid-lesson. I have 3.5 years experience teaching in the U.S. and overseas, I'm not prepared to sit in the corner pushing buttons for this woman. She is manipulative, trying to charm me with dinners and helping me. She is a very kind person, but horrible to work with. There is zero communication with her and she blames it on her English..thing is, the last NT spoke Korean and he had the same problems (I found his resignation letter).

I had it today...and am now refusing to teach until she sits down and plans with me and lets me teach without interruption. She isn't saying a word to me...so I typed my resignation letter and am going to hand deliver it to the VP.

Advice? Suggestions?

[dean_burrito]

I'd say welcome to Korea and things are what they are. But I guess that advice doesn't really help your situation. I'm sure you've discussed various models with you co-teacher already. But if not try telling her you've done some research and want to try some new things.
But likely nothing is going to change and I think you should just hold tight. Semester is nearly over and if your school is like all the other then you will likely have a different co-teacher next semester anyways. Basically my advice is don't break your contract. Just ride out the next three weeks and see what you can do to change things for the better by next semester.

[Rory_Calhoun27]

You lucky stiff! I had almost the opposite exp. with my first coteacher. after one of our many arguments, she comes to school PO'ed, slaps me and breaks my glasses!

But I stuck it out- eventually the school shrank by 2/3, got two new coteachers for some reason, and at least it's been uneventful. so I get the severance bonus at the end.

use the situation to your advantage. a Korean professor I had stateside confided in me there is a fairly vocal group amongst teachers who are against foreigners in the school, so if she's at least willing to be pleasant, it could be a lot worse. I'd try to at least build some common ground, and offer to even help her with English.

Even better if she's good-looking and single, but that's another tale for another time. but there are a few fringe benefits to be had in ANY situation!

[OculisOrbis]

if you are working at a public school then it is likely you are contracted by the provincial office of education - not your school. it is possible that if you contacted your POE office, you might be able to request a transfer to a different school. if they did that and you completed the rest of your contracted time, then you would have fulfilled your obligations. I think it would be unlikely they would grant your request though because that would be admitting that there's something wrong at one of their schools (other than you, the foreigner).

not being mean, just pointing out that FT's are lower on the scale of importance and saving face means blaming you.

[oldtactics]

I can confirm Oculis' post - your POE/coordinator is the best place to start - there have been cases of people being moved mid-contract, but it's only been after many many meetings and discussions. They'll try to talk to everyone involved and get them to compromise on issues before anyone brings up a transfer, but that might not be such a bad thing. I'd say call your coordinator though, they'll be able to help you figure things out.