Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Summer Wine]

You get the feeling you are not wanted at your public school, when your Principal is having his farewell dinner and you are the only person not invited.

When you find out about it from the teacher aides who only started 2 months ago. When the people who should mention this fail too and leave you looking like an idiot for not having anything for the prinicpal as a farewell gift (not even a card).

[creeper1]

Well I think it might be just your unique case. I am sure many other native speakers are going to jump on this and say they'd be the first person invited to any dinner well respected members of the teaching staff that they are.

Out of curiosity why do you want to get him a going away present? In what way is brown nosing going to further your career now?

[RMNC]

I don't get it, you're upset that you don't have to go to an irrelevant dinner? Most ESL teachers would relish that.

[Linda868]

I am glad when I am not invited to work functions. It seems like even those who speak English fluently end up speaking Korean. I don't understand 95% of the conversation so it ends up being quite boring. Plus, are you the only foreign teacher there? If so, maybe they just didn't feel comfortable having an English speaker around.

[Milwaukiedave]

SW,

Often when I end up going out to dinner with Korean teachers (as I did in my last job) they end up reverting back to Korean anyway (even the English teachers).

It's never too late to bring in a card or gift. Just politely explain that you had no idea he was retiring and that you wish him a happy retirement. He'll probably appreciate it.

[Radius]

[oldfatfarang]

Oh, the excruiating dinners. Man, you're lucky to get out of that one.

OP. Don't feel too bad. You know you're really not wanted when:

- arrive to no accommodation (but they had 10 days notice)
- no introduction to (or welcome from) the principal and vps
- only teacher not invited to teachers group being filmed by local tv news.
- refusal to pay you on your first payday

- and so on...........

Don't fret. Some schools are just like that.

[schlotzy]

Yeah I used to love the dinners at my old hagwon because there were 7 other foreigners and it was basically a free party. Now that I'm at public I absolutely dread them. I try my best to have a good time, but usually after 5 minutes the whole staff is speaking Korean and I'm sitting there alone feeling awkward for like 3 hours. Consider yourself lucky that you didn't HAVE to go.

[Steve_Rogers2008]

when my first PS school SHRANK halfway into my contract, and my evil coteacher left, along with 2/3 of the rest of the teachers, I made sure to go to the going away party with 'em, and made sure to stay close to the science teacher who was leavin'...

one thing led to another... and let's just say her not wanting to ride her 2-hour sub ride back home turned out to be a good thing...

[Fox]

I like the Korean work parties. Just get drunk fairly quickly and you'll be fine. I get in some of my best Korean-language practice while under the influence of soju. It comes more naturally.

[ThingsComeAround]

SW

You can give your principal something (if he/she hasn't already left). He'll appreciate it nonetheless.

Sometimes we are forced to go, which makes it awkward and uncomfortable. Sometimes we never hear about it, which makes it awkward and uncomfortable. Your experience is not the end of the world.

Pull your handler aside and give her a shaming talking to. No reason why you couldn't be notified. Be sure to make the handler feel guilty

[Epik_Teacher]

You get the feeling you're not wanted when................

They don't even see fit to give you a computer on your desk. You use the one in the library.

When they hand free stuff out to everyone in the office, they always skip you.

No one bothers to tell you anything until it happens.

To tell the truth, I have to agree with the others, I can't stand those boring ass restaurant meetings. I opt out of as many things as possible. I'm friendly to the teachers at work, but I'm to the point I really don't care for their after school social crap.

[Ramen]

I go. I eat. I go when I am finished.

[Kaypea]

[Junior]