Korean Job Discussion Forums

C00LAS1CE · Joined: 14 Feb 2010

So here's the deal: I'm head teacher at my school, but I only got it by default because the only other foreign teacher we had at the time at my hagwon is disliked by my boss. I really have no idea what my boss thinks of me other than the fact that I'm at least not disliked as much as the co-worker that got passed up for head teacher. There is EXTREMELY little communication between the head Korean boss and the foreign teachers at my hagwon. There are a lot of things the foreign teachers are left in the dark about, such as not being able to see our student evaluations (what possible reason could there be for this?).

Seeing as how my contract is up in a few months, I asked my boss about extending my contract by 6 months, so myself and my co-workers would all leave at the same time, in December. She kind of gave me a puzzled look and basically said she wasn't sure. Based on her actions in the past, I'm assuming that means no and if I bring up the topic again she won't give me a solid answer. I do know that my former boss (who also works at the same hagwon) who is in charge of hiring the foreign teachers does not like me, or as far as I know any of the other male foreign teachers.

As far as I know most of my classes like me (although I can't be certain about this since we aren't allowed to view our student evals). I used to be a few minutes late every once and awhile but after my boss mentioned to me (about a month ago) I've made sure to be early/on-time every time since then. I'm friendly to my students and get along with my co-workers so I really have no idea why they wouldn't let me extend 6 months.

Basically what I want to know is:

(1) Is this common? Has it happened to anyone else?

(2) What are my options if I want to stay here for another 6 months? Seeing as how there aren't any 6-month contracts, do I really have any other options than going back home to unemployment or signing another year contract with a different employer?

RMNC · Joined: 21 Jul 2010

1. It's not very common at all. Most places don't do 6 month extensions, it's just a hassle for their curriculum to have a new teacher come in during the middle of the year, not to mention the tax work, paperwork, all the jazz.

2. Your choices are to man up and do another full year or going out and finding one of those rare 6-month contracts. Beyond that, I'm afraid you're out of luck.

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

RMNC · Joined: 21 Jul 2010

Ah yes, good point made by my homeslice jr, you could always just sign for a year and then once the 5th month is over, submit your 30 days notice. Easy enough, and they might make the last month hell for you, but it'll get you what you wanted.

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

siwawalter · Joined: 16 Feb 2011

Most places do it annually not 6 months.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

Plenty of schools will do extensions through the end of a given semester rather than on a yearly basis. It generally makes sense for them to have you finish at a real time rather than arbitrarily in the middle of the week some time. That said, it's never going to be in a hagwon's best interest to have all of its teachers finish at the same time, as they're potentially looking at offering a bunch of complete noobs at worst, or at least a team of teachers who don't know the school's specific curriculum. Having the entire staff finish at the same time is just asking for trouble.

CPJ · Joined: 30 Dec 2008

If you school has semesters or terms, then they probably won't want to change your contract end date unless it matches the term/semester end date.

If your school doesn't follow a set semester or term (like most of the schools I've worked at), then getting a short extension is not a big deal as long as the school likes you. If they like you, they will want you to stay. Obviously they will want you to do another year but 6 month, 3 month, almost anything is OK as long as they have enough notice so they can adjust the new hiring to match that date.

If they don't like you, they won't. Why would they?

Think of it in reverse. You really like your school and they ask that you stay on for another year, or 6 months, or even 1 extra month. Why wouldn't you unless you were dying to take a vacation.

However, if you hated your school, there is no way you are staying longer.

Also, money plays a big factor. I remember my director not wanting to hire 4 teachers starting at the same time. I asked why because and he said that severance, airfare and all that money was a lot and if he had to do it for 4 teachers at the same time, it would be difficult as he gets a monthly income from students paying.