Korean Job Discussion Forums

[patapata]

I'm quite concerned that I may be in for some hagwon trouble. I am a new teacher (six weeks) at a place that I was referred to by a recruiter back in the U.S. This recruiter rushed me into the position (one minute I had a choice of interviews including positions beginning a month or so after graduation, the next I had to rush onto a plane practically in my graduation robes), which only opened because another employee did a midnight run/was fired for not performing (it's still not clear which is the case). There were also a few other serious problems with foreign teachers at the school, but no one on the ground will talk about the details.

The work environment is terrible. Everyone is disgruntled to some degree. No one will talk to me. Korean teachers only speak Korean to one another. It only makes the already draining hagwon routine worse. It seems as though the other teachers really took a beating because of the midnight run/firing situation. Most of the foreign teachers are leaving by the end of 2010 and I am concerned about how such a major turnover might impact business after the fact. I don't know what will happen once some of the teachers leave, perhaps the environment will improve...perhaps not.

That being said, I'm in a so-so apartment (could be better, but it's decent, although it was filthy when I arrived) and I got paid on time the first month. I would like to complete my contract, if this is a place that allows teachers to do so, and perhaps stay in Korea beyond the initial year.

I know I was a fool to accept a position with such a background (I was a struggling student and the U.S. recession/jobless rate scare really got to me), but now I am wondering if there are any steps I may be able to take to reduce the potential impact ahead. Should I try to contact the recruiter again to speak with someone who successfully completed a contract (to figure out if they routinely let people go, or do the ol' 11 month routine)? Should I ask about the details of what happened with the other teachers who left/are leaving (I already got a sketch of the situation from the recruiter, but would like to hear from someone here). Are there any red flags that I'm missing? How would you handle this?

[OculisOrbis]

Welcome to korea. It sounds like a not atypical first month or so reaction to your first job here. You didn't raise any red flags with the info you provided that I could comment on, but I'm sure the flags are there had you been more specific.

Do a little research on pension, health insurance and vacation issues on this forum and get back to me. I'll be happy to help when you have something more concrete to talk about.

[plato's republic]

Your first step would be to talk to the other foreigners working at your school. Have you not spoken to any of them regarding this matter already? If not, perhaps try and arrange dinner and/or drinks with them on a Friday night after work. Talking to your recruiter may or may not prove useful. It's very hit or miss.

How is your relationship with the boss or the head teacher? It may be best to just see how things pan out over the next month or so and try not to get too worked up about things. However, having some sort of exit plan as a back-up could prove to be a good idea just in case things do start to head south rather quickly.

Good luck!

[toph]

I have to agree with the other posters...
Nothing seems too unordinary in terms of "bad hagwons," and maybe you should just see how things work out over-time while you're in Korea (since you've only been there for 6 weeks). All of this could just be a result of culture-shock, and/or a combination of leaving home. A back-up plan is always good, but you could just be over-worried at the moment. Also, as another poster mentioned, I really don't think talking to your recruiter is going to prove useful...but it won't hurt to try.

Anyway, good luck, and sorry that things haven't been working out~

[Steve_Rogers2008]

try to befriend a Korean teacher or two as well.... invite them to lunch or dinner and pay for it at the end....

who knows? maybe they'll start calling you a "bad boy" too... but 'bad' in a good way.

[patapata]

Thanks, guys. I hesitate to get into more detail on a public message board, but look forward to PM privileges once I make enough posts. I do want to talk with someone about the three issues mentioned (pension, health insurance, vacation). Is there any sort of association I can contact?

Steve, I'm not a "boy" ...that may be part of the problem, the other foreign teachers are... it's a very category A/category B group.

Just focusing on my teaching for now...am OK financially and have a few native contacts (Koreans I know from before coming to Korea) should any action be necessary. The social dynamic is likely to change in a matter of weeks anyhow, so we'll see.

[Illysook]

I finished a contract at a bad hagwon. It can be done. The Korean teachers really don't talk to the foreign teachers that much because they can't speak English very well. It isn't personal. The other Foreign teachers should have made some effort to make you feel comfortable and if they didn't, they are jerks. Don't worry about them.

Finding community and making friends will make all the difference. Where can you meet people and get past that shallow ex-pat thing? Book clubs, churches, Korean classes, and other kinds of activities that meet on an on-going basis. Some of the meet-up groups are okay. Use your best judgement. The friends that you find are likely to be people who are experiencing, or have experienced the very same things that you are dealing with. They will help you deal with the culture fatigue and keep you company when you need a drink (or 12.)

I personally found community at an English speaking church. If you are open to it, you can meet people and grow in your faith...not a bad deal in my opinion, but it's all up to you. No matter where you go, you will get out of it what you put into it...especially in the classroom.

Starting out in the classroom is difficult for a lot of people. There's a thread going on about this. Comiserate with the others and just keep trying. On the days when you feel like giving up, show videos or let the kids play a game. If you have a lot of those days, so what? People don't usually get fired for letting the kids have fun. Try to make them speak english while doing so. Flash card games are a great crutch for new teachers. Make a zillion of 'em and make up games as you go.

good luck!

[Milwaukiedave]

Op,

Try to hang in there and see what happens once some of the teachers start leaving. You'll be able to tell if something is happening in terms of business if you watch the number of students in the classes. As long as your boss is ok with you and hasn't complained, you are probably going to be fine and will make it through your contract. I would also keep an eye on what is happening in terms of other teachers leaving. Are they finishing their contracts or getting fired? There is a big difference. If it's them just not re-signing their contract, the school will do and I would stay put and finish the contract. If people are getting fired late in their contract (10th, 11th or 12th month) then you need to be quietly finding out why.

[Troglodyte]

[patapata]

Thanks, Illysook, for your inspiring post. I've been making my time at the hagwon all about the kids and improving my teaching methods (aside from a few brief conversations during the minibreaks) and looking elsewhere for people to hang out and do things with. I haven't had a single weekend so far without some sort of activity or social outing since I've been here (meetup, and yes, church too). That being said, I've been meeting a lot of people, but not really clicking/connecting with anyone beyond "ok, that was fun, see ya" for various reasons (people living far away, everyone on different schedules, different relationship statuses, etc.). It's really not all that different from how things would be in a new city back home. One thing I've noticed, however, is that people who don't work at hagwons (and presumably never have) tend to look down on people who do. People seem to make their mind up about you very quickly if you're working at a hagwon (especially Americans and Canadians). Elitism among English teachers in Korea? Wasn't expecting that. I'll be happy if I meet someone who can see the person behind the job.

Anyway, I've found in the past that my best friendships, like relationships, have come out of the blue when I was least expecting it, so I'm trying not to get too down on myself for not having a group or a whole lot of friends here yet.