Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HymanKaplan]

So I got fired from a hagwon for being too boring. I'm actually quite happy with the way things worked out. I get my 30 day's severance, and I'm going to look for a job teaching adults, which I know I can do and do well.

On the other hand, if I can't find a job that I like elsewhere... (I'm going to try Turkey, Georgia, or any country that speaks Arabic.) Well I didn't like Daegu, but I like teaching children despite how difficult it can be, and I love Busan.

I feel like I've improved a lot, and the vast majority of my students liked me by the end. I really get the impression that the most important reason I was fired is because they're cutting staff soon, and would rather renew the contract of the school's most popular teacher, whose contract ends soon. But regardless I was still officially fired for "endangering the school's reputation," and that's what the hagwon would tell anyone who asked.

Some people suggested elsewhere that I might look for a job in the public schools, where boring a few students isn't as important. Is this actually possible, once I've been fired here, for the reasons stated? Can I make EPIK in Busan my plan C?

Thanks,
HK

[eamo]

Why the hell not?

Everyone knows hagwons have ridiculous hiring and firing practices. But it's probably best if you don't mention the whole thing in future.

Just apply for EPIK and see what happens......

[ED209]

Were you on good terms with any of the other teachers at the hagwon? If so, use them as references rather than your old boss. Try not to complain too much about your old hagwon in any interview, this will give the wrong impression. Public schools know what hagwons are like, so be brief and to the point about why you left. EPIK will want to know about what a good teacher you are, not how good you are at complaining about higher ups.

[HymanKaplan]

ED209
Thanks, that might not be a bad idea. Should I use one of the nicer Korean teachers I shared a class with, one of the Korean teachers I seemed on especially good terms with (but didn't share a class with), or one of the foreign teachers (none of whom observed me teaching)?

[TellyRules986]

Any reference checker worth their salt will want the phone number to the school, and talk to anyone who might have known you. So if the person who answers the phone knows you and has worked with you, they can still ask them questions. Never mind the Korea is all about hierarchy, so they'll want to talk to the boss too. So don't think that because you put down a specific name that they're unwilling to talk to anyone else, or only want to talk to that person even though they're not key decision makers. Just fyi.

I would apply but not mention the job if you can get away with it. You could cancel the visa, but I don't know if EPIK looks to see about previous visas in Korea.

[TheUrbanMyth]