Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dmbfan]

OK, then.



Boss wants to talk to me.

Brings up classic, phony complaint of what I allegedly said to a student in class. (I told a student "I don't want to talk to you".) and calls it a "crime". He says he heard the complaint from a Korean teacher after a student told her.

I laugh (think of when the boss got in trouble for taking a baseball bat and using it on a couple students).

I then ask for names and dates.

Boss gives some Korean name. I again ask boss for names and a date.

I inform boss that have no idea what he is talking about and if I said anything close to that, it may have been "I'm not talking to you".

I again ask for the more info.

Boss fumbles with the schedule, circles a class.

I look and inform the boss that the class is not even mine but the other expat teacher.

Boss then goes back on the story and said it happend outside of class (changed from being IN class).

I again inform the boss that I really have no idea.

Then, the bobss starts using is propagands, empty rhetoric.

I then decide, I've had enough (paid on time...yes. Work hard....yes. Show up everyday, on time...yes.....I do my best everyday). From day one, I was not welcome. Despite my past experiences, I made (and always do) the effort to keep an open mind and get to know the Korea taechers (who are all women....oh, and one gay guy....and he is Korean).

Nothing of what was mentioned above was ever returned. I have been met with nothign but a cold shoulder, passive agressive behavior and petty [Mod Edit] by petty women.

I remind the boss of this and our conversation three months ago, when I asked if there was anything I did to piss off the Korean teachers.

A discussion ensues where I do not yell or scream....I'm just honest and throw back his [Mod Edit] in his face.

He tries to fire me on the spot.

I said he would be doing me a favor and I would be happy to leave (no more Korea....moving on). He can either give me 30 days notice in writing or give a months worth of pay.

He yammers on (like I"m doing) about "what do you mean? What is writing"....yes, that is what he said.

I repeat.

He says that I am accusing him.

I say, "oh what"?

More [Mod Edit] and cirlcle talking on his part.

I tell him that I guess I understand why his K-teachers give a cold shoulder (not only to me but my coworker). I would feel threatened a new teacher came in and was actually wanting to work.......spending an entire week (before I even officially started) making resources, getting things together, coming up with a game plan) getting ready...very rarely sitting down in the classroom.....you know...actually teaching.



He then says "You back to your country....if I see you again, I will kill you!".

I requested the admin cronnies to call the police. They sit there and do nothing.


I then tell him that I am leaving.

He says "not until I find another foreign teacher".

I write a note saying that I was taking two days off. ONe was a sick day and the other is unpaid, also mention why I am taking a sick day....don't feel safe at the school after the threat on my life.

He tries to stop me with whatever [Mod Edit] he can muster.


I confront the Korean teacher who supposedly talked to the boss and asker her "why"? I also mentioned that I had no idea what this was about and she shoudl have came to me first. I ask her why she felt the need to do this? She plays stupid, but I don't let her off the hook (I"m not yelling or screaming. I'm calm but assertive). I repeat the question. She fumbles, saying she did not say anything. Then ask her "so is the director a liar". She back tracks,...........actually not providing any real answer (typical korean...bitch...yeah, I said it). Then, I inqure as to why they ALL (all 6 of the gals) were rather unwelcoming when I first arrived, even while I honestly tried to get to know them....bringing food, snacks, trying to make conversation.

No response.

The boss comes in....and as expected, the korean gal puts on a show or drama and leaves.



I hate Korea, now. I've never gotten to this point (I don't think). But now........ I've spent a long time trying to make an improvement for these people......whilst trying to improve myself.

I can't handle it. You guys win. I hate Korean gal co-teachers. They are [Mod Edit], lazy and most of all....pathetic. I hate the ESL system here and I'm gonna leave it to Koreans and the lazy, apathetic expat teachers that come here.

I realize that what I just posted is bascially, my word against another. I know. I know there are those of you that will be salvitating to post a resonse and point how anything negative you can about this or about me. But that is OK.

I know what I've experienced. I know my faults. But, I have always tried to give the students my best and start things with an open mind. I just can't put up with the "no reason cold shoulder" or the mindset of these people. I"m done.

I'm done.


OH....so, is there anything I can do regarding my boss making a threat to take my life?


Nope....no witness.
Yeah...I'm sure he wouldny and conure up something on me to take the spotlight off him.

But, I"m not lying.


OH....I'm sure OSkinny1 will love this thread. Go ahead man...do your worst. Everyone is welcome to it.



dmbfan



Thinking of this past year.


Three schools.

School 1: Not only a shoebox housing arrangment but the boss decides to [Mod Edit] with our vacation......even we taught 40 classes a week. Even before this, I go into the situation knowing to be cool and I was. But, then a korean teacher (and they are all women, by the way) decides to do somthing that effected my students during my time.....it was not a crime or antying but........something had to be said. I took her aside, mentioned my thoughts and politely asked her to keep the actions limited to her own classtime.

She doesn't take it to well.
You know the old saying, "don't poke the bear", right? WEll, it has even more meaning espeically when the bear tries to walk away.


School 2:

Public school!!!! YES
"Oh there was misscommunication. We will not reimburse your flight to Korea as promised (in writing) because you are already here.


School 3:

Six month contract! YES!!!!!!!


start over at the beginning of the post.

[dmbfan]

OH and to be fair.....eventhough I did not yell or scream at the guy....I was pretty honest about it. Which is actually a wake up call.....it's how I really felt.


What did I say?


Well, for one....I asked him "How does it make you feel to exploit your teachers in this way? Do you get a power trip from it?".


IT does not end there. But at least there was no yelling on my part.


OK...the target is open. Take your shots.


dmbfan

[lifeinkorea]

I can understand the problems you have faced. I think if you can't establish a desire to be with the students, it's a pointless job. The crap you mentioned comes up with all jobs. One thing I don't understand is you wanting "reimbursement" if the public school was correct that you didn't leave the country.

Yes, they should have paid for any visa run, but if you did what I did and change location and extend the visa then I don't feel they should have paid you for a perceived flight. Reimbursement is when you pay for something, and the people reimbursing pay the same amount because of some prior agreement. Maybe I don't know the full story.

[TwoFold]

Whew! It goes without saying that you hit a rough patch. Hopefully you get past this situation soon. God speed and best of luck.

[Rusty Shackleford]

Nice rant.

Good luck in your future endeavours, brother.

[dmbfan]

[Unposter]

A good drunk (or any other way to purge the evil spirits) where you do not fight or kill yourself might not be a bad idea. Sometimes you just have to let off a little steam.

If you do find yourself teaching oveseas again, you might want to develop some thicker skin. You may have not of raised your voice but you certainly acted upset (of course you may have had good reason to be) and that can be just as bad. Sometimes, discretion is the better part of valor. Sometimes, you just have to nod and nod to the boss and then just ignore. Don't let it get to you. They play their games and you pretend like it is not happening.

I have had more than my fair share of tell my boss what I really think of him (or her) fantasies. Well, now you have made one reality. Think of the bright side...

[lifeinkorea]

I see what happened now. This flight in question is a carryover from the hagwon job, LOL. You didn't wait the 6 months. However, there is still a "weak" argument (but still an argument) that can be made here.

You might not have gotten the public school job if you weren't already in the country. This might sound stupid at first, but again I look at my situation.

I go for the interview, and I basically say no to the recruiters. So, they decide to get another teacher. I email the head English teacher after a few other offers didn't pan out. They ended up hiring me, but I had to wait for the other teacher to get interviewed.

I am sure if I was back in the US, I wouldn't have been given the job. Staying in Korea is better for everyone as it relates to the public school system.

I'm afraid the flight scenario is just one of those things you have to chalk up to experience. Wait the 6 months, and then you don't have to pay the airfare back. It will also look better on your resume.

[BS.Dos.]

Everyday that I go into school and come home again having not had any drama makes me realize just how lucky things have been for me out here in Korea. It's a shame. Your memories of your time here are now going to be blighted by the events of today, which is unfortunate. I suppose that you've reached the tipping point.

You're probably better off out of it. I think I'd find it difficult to stay and put that kind of shit behind me. You can only put up with so much of that crap before the cynicism sets in for good.

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

I have one thing to say to you:

Never accept a job at Park's English School (PES) in Jeju-si on Jeju island-- the man is INSANE.

Wow, that felt good.

I know you didn't get back to me when I sent my warning, but from everything you've told me, I think it's pretty obvious that you took the job!

In fact, I bet I know the student in question. You should know that she's a friend of the family-- and he fired me because of her as well.

I told you all about it-- to be fair, I probably wasn't harsh enough.

Let this serve as a warning to everyone.



I recommend calling a recruiter, then taking a vacation. Hamdeok beach is nice this time of year-- actually, I went there more than a few times when this happened to me.

Also, you should know that in my case, all that needed to happen was the recruiter had to talk to the guy for about five minutes, and they had no problem recommending me to another school.

[dmbfan]

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

I think you would definitely feel better if you published the name and address of your former employer in a huge text size on this site. At this point, what do you have to lose?

Even if it is your own fault (doesn't sound like it is), most people would probably rather not have to risk going through what you're going through, so it would work as a final '@#$% you'.

It always makes me feel better.

[Tobias]

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

See, dmbfan? It works!
Advertise!

[billietea]

I am sorry for your trouble...and that you are jaded whereas before you were open and enthusiastic about Korea. It is a story I know well. Best of luck to you. You will, now more than ever, be looking for those red flags from potential employers. That knowledge will serve you well for the rest of your life.