Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fromtheuk]

I have been very professional at my new school. I've followed every single work request from my co-teacher, without any hint of rebellion.

I have 'played the game'. My co-teacher appears to be quite business-like, which suits me. We talk to each other only about the job. She seems cold and distant, but I think that is just how she looks.

Our school has another native teacher, from South Africa. He is young and new to teaching. He's okay.

My co-teacher gave me one minor gift a while back, a little cake, I reciprocated with a pack of brownies. I always show her respect/deference in class and I am being agreeable at all times.

A couple of times, other teachers have asked for my help with various English projects. I helped them out, which by my standards shows real commitment!

It is sad to hear about other posters who have been unsuccessful in renewing their contracts.

In retrospect, I feel quite fortunate to have this job, in light of the nightmare co-teacher from the last school.

What I find mildly interesting is whether my new approach will work.

If I manage to avoid even a hint of controversy with this 'Yes all the time' approach, I'd hope to renew my contract.

Reading about other people on this forum, it seems there are no guarantees of contract renewal. I am trying to cover all bases, if this approach doesn't lead to a contract renewal next year, my plan is to ask for one anyway.

That way, if they don't renew my contract, I should be able to get a good reference to transfer to another school. This is how I managed to get my new job, so I hope this will work.

[Johnny_Bravo]

yes, I'd wager this approach of yours will prove to be more successful than the previous ones.

[rationality]

[fromtheuk]

Trust me, I'm not experiencing any 'new school' excitement. I am just learning from my previous experiences.

I will not rebel. Why? Because I remember the consequences of doing so at the last school. My aim is to see if I can get a contract renewal next year. If I don't, the second aim is to transfer to another school.

My main aim is to see how agreeable I can be. So far, so good. I have no desire to reject my co-teacher's advice, because I want a contract renewal.

It amuses me to use this approach. Why? Some people like to kiss up, I personally don't, so my challenge is to act as empty-headed as possible, and say 'Yes' all the time.

I find it amusing because some people like to be subservient, whereas I am doing it as a joke, just to keep my job.

In class, there are times when I struggle to stop myself from bursting out laughing. I sometimes teach half of a regular class, at other times, I sit at the front of the class, trying hard to stay awake.

I look happy in class sometimes, because I am doing nothing. My co-teacher sees no objection from me and she seems to grin too, sometimes.

If I ask to stay here and they politely refuse, my view is they will be content that I asked to stay on. Then, they will provide an okay reference and I can move to a new school.

This is how I got my current job.

I'm building a strategy, I will wait and see if it works.

[Otherside]

You're building a strategy to
A) Keep your Job in a Korean PS

OR if that fails,

B) Get another job in a Korean PS.

Set your goals a bit higher man, last time I checked all you needed for a job was a passport, a pulse and a degree. Nowadays the degree seems optional.

[fromtheuk]

Today, my co-teacher told me all regular classes may be cancelled. The first class is definitely cancelled. The kids are outside practicing songs.

I love life. The other native teacher has another day of classes, he was a bit miffed to hear about another day of cancellations for me. It's not my fault.

[rationality]

[tenchu77491]

It will work just like appeasement worked during WW2.

[fromtheuk]

Well, the only thing they can do is invade my apartment, which is provided by them anyway.

I don't see what they can do to me, other than ask me to do my job, which I'm doing.

I think having 2 native teachers at this school scares any nasty Korean cowards away. At my last school they used to walk around talking extra loudly near my office, thinking they were tough.

Here, they do it much less, because they know there are 2 of us. Cowardly scum are pathetic.