Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gollum]

It's easy to hear all of the yadda-yadda about, "Anyone can be an English teacher here -- all you need is a 4-year degree...", etc. That is true, but...

The longer I'm here, the more I respect the long-termers who are able to STAY in a job at the same place.

Personally, I've moved around a lot, so I'm not tooting my own horn. I've found it difficult to stay in one place due to a million different reasons. The first school didn't want to renew with me, then a few months later was asking me to come back (they got some bad teachers, and suddenly realized that maybe i wasn't so bad).

Some of you might have seen that I was not liked by my boss in my last hagwon because the owner didn't like my joking. It didn't matter that the mothers, teachers, and students liked me. The owner didn't like me, so I wasn't going to be around there if I hadn't left anyway.

For all of the jokes about how "anyone" can do this job, and all of the crap we get for teaching being a "McJob", I think the people who are re-hired by a school because they are liked deserve some credit.

Sure, most anyone with a degree and fitting the profile can come teach here. But not just anyone can last.

[schwa]

The annual contract deal really seems to discourage longterm loyalty. As a year winds down its really easy to focus on negatives in the given workplace & to consider greener pastures. In my previous worklife, you entered into a job more open-endedly & years might transpire before changing lanes became a desirable option. It was to everyone's benefit to work out mutually beneficial conditions. Productive continuity doesnt seem to be such a high priority here though.

That said, I've been lucky in my situations here & I think I've decided to re-ink at my same place for the 4th year.

[just because]

[rapier]

Its hard for me to remain at the same hagwon coz I get bored...also I get sick of one or two of the bad korean characters lurking there...
I'd renew if I could negotiate more money and no saturdays. Having saturdays free of work, i've come to realise, is vital to having any kind of life or sanity in this country...

[phaedrus]

I would go nuts staying too long, unless it's a large hagwon, or has high turnover, and in the second case you have to wonder if you should stay.

Kids and teachers need a change of face.

Public schools change yearly, up a level, up a teacher.

If they want to pay me asskickingly high though.... well!

[Homer]

[schwa]

[Real Reality]

Long termers Not being re-hired from EFL-Law-Guy

Recently we have become aware of 5 cases of employees (teachers) who have worked for 4 or more years, with the same employer, NOT being renewed. (4 years, 2 x 7 years, 8 years, 13 years,)

It has also become known the Ministry has sent a directive to schools, universities, etc, that teachers with Long service should not be re-employed. Those who have been told to date include university teachers, College teachers and some Epik teachers. It is a cynical attempt to prevent foreigners from getting tenure.

Another Post
I worked at the same university for 4 years and they decided to let me go even though they originally told me I could stay for a maximum of 5 years. I imagined several possible reasons but No real reason was given. something to the effect of we want 'new' teachers.
http://www.koreabridge.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3343

[Gollum]

[Gollum]

[schwa]

Gollum asks:
Schwa, do you speak Korean?

I'm ashamed at how poorly, but I try. Why do you ask?

[Mosley]

schwa: you ARE w/EPIK, right? Then somebody's BSing somebody because I'm a level 1 & I'm not even close to 2.5 mill. How long you been w/them-20 yrs.?

[Arthur Fonzerelli]

[schwa]

[Zyzyfer]