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lorenchristopher
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
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 Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:14 pm Post subject: Really. Over. It. :-( |
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So this is my last contract with this hagwon....I've been with them almost four years. I am a good teacher and my kids have really enjoyed me.
Now I have just over four months left until I am finished and can take a break and much much needed vacation, but I think now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel I just feel like giving up and not caring in the classroom.
Things that never used to bother me really frustrate me now. It seems like every day I am getting more and more annoyed by my kids. I'm much more cross and blunt with the students lately, even unfair and rude at times.
I know this is not typical of me....but does anyone have experience being burnt out? Could you offer some advice? I know four months is not an extremely long amount of time, and I know I will survive. I'd just like to finish the contract without feeling like fingernails are screeching down a chalkboard every time a kid speaks above average volume or gets out of their seat, etc etc. |
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rayray123
Joined: 27 Jan 2010
Location: korea
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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| I have no experience being burnt out teaching, but I have been burnt out at other jobs. Just try to focus on how good it will feel when the last day of work comes. It made me happy to think about quitting and made the job much better. |
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calendar
Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: being a hermit
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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This
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| Things that never used to bother me really frustrate me now. It seems like every day I am getting more and more annoyed by my kids. I'm much more cross and blunt with the students lately, even unfair and rude at times. |
is a result of this
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| not caring in the classroom. |
It is not burn out but now that you know you are quiting, not looking for another job, and so on, the pressure to look good is off and you do not care what you look like to your bosses or anyone else. What you do doesn't matter any more because you do not need to get a good reference or try to be renewed.
It doesn't mean you do not care about your students, it is just that your attitude has changed because your situation has. You are no longer worried about any reprocussions and there are less filters placed upon your behavior and attitude in class.
I am not saying I am correct, it is a theory based upon the scant information given. |
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lorenchristopher
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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| calendar wrote: |
It is not burn out but now that you know you are quiting, not looking for another job, and so on, the pressure to look good is off and you do not care what you look like to your bosses or anyone else. What you do doesn't matter any more because you do not need to get a good reference or try to be renewed.
It doesn't mean you do not care about your students, it is just that your attitude has changed because your situation has. You are no longer worried about any reprocussions and there are less filters placed upon your behavior and attitude in class.
I am not saying I am correct, it is a theory based upon the scant information given. |
A lot of what you say is true here. I thought last week, "What if they fire me?" And then I actually felt a little happy....like that wouldn't be such a bad thing, it may even be a good thing.
I really would like to stick it out and collect my bonus and airfare, etc etc. Just trying to stay motivated is the problem. I feel like I've proven myself to be a fun entertainer and "speaking enabler" for four years.....I don't need to prove it anymore and I also don't really care to bow out with high stature. |
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Zackback
Joined: 05 Nov 2010
Location: Kyungbuk
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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You have reached this point of feeling this way after almost 4 years?
Many (including me) feel this way at a fraction of the time it took you.
No problem. Just wing it and coast. That's what I've been doing since the get-go. |
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Deranged Ranger
Joined: 13 Sep 2011
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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I too am on the tail end of leaving, and I am having bad experiences in other areas, but because I dont want to leave any differently than I came in ( giving it my all) I have forced myself into the mindset of "I am not done til Feb 15th
I understand the feeling of "it would be so easy for me just not to give a rats behind right now, and even my wife told me I should do just that, but i just can't ignore or try to wipe out everythig I have done or everything I have ben for the last 5 years here simply because there is a light finaly, at the end of the tunnel
I guess you have to ask yourself and answer with your actions the following question "Do you want to be the guy who was kick arse and consistent all the way through, or do you want to let the tail end of the experience change you simply because you are aware you are nearing the end and don't HAVE to care as much.
If anything I aloswed the fact that I don't have to care as much to care more going into the end. I have never been more on top of discipline, never been so active in class, never been more courteous to my partner teachers. If I walk away with NOTHING else from these 5 years, I want to walk away having them know, and me know that I was n excelent dedicated teacher for that time, and that I did my job start to finish. It's a pride thing.
So what do you want to be and how do you want to leave? |
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koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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| I've been with them almost four years. |
That's the problem right there. If you are single and can move around, you should only be working 6 months to a year. Experience something/where new. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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| koreatimes wrote: |
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| I've been with them almost four years. |
That's the problem right there. If you are single and can move around, you should only be working 6 months to a year. Experience something/where new. |
Depends. That is just such a vast over generalization.
What if you have a high-paying job, good co-workers, an understanding boss, and (usually) well-behaved students?
One would have to be mad to just up and leave for a different job just to experience something new.
And if you had a high-paying job, good co-workers, and understanding boss and well-behaved students and leave it all for new experiences...well you are likely to have NEW experiences with bosses, coworkers, students and pay. But very likely not positive ones. |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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| koreatimes wrote: |
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| I've been with them almost four years. |
That's the problem right there. If you are single and can move around, you should only be working 6 months to a year. Experience something/where new. |
You recommend working six months in a place where the majority of contracts are for a year? Talk about commitment phobia. 
I actually haven't experienced this though. Maybe because I teach older students and they are as a rule less annoying. They still do things that make me cringe though.
If students are bugging you just remember that soon enough they won't be your problem any more. I can understand being sick of disciplining/controlling them all the time. That was really the main thing I hated about teaching kids. The constant boundary testing and just plain getting carried away. Calm down, kids. Please.
I don't really have any good advice. Sorry. |
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calendar
Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: being a hermit
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| Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:15 am Post subject: |
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| You recommend working six months in a place where the majority of contracts are for a year? Talk about commitment phobia |
He reminds of that poster, I think it was last year, who bragged about taking his third Korean ESL job in one year |
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Perceptioncheck
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:55 am Post subject: |
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I too am coming to the end of my stint in Korea, and feel almost exactly the same way as you. It's becoming increasingly difficult to pretend patience with the little things I would ordinarily brush aside, especially in the classroom.
At the moment, I'm just trying to focus on the little things I'll miss about Korea. I say to myself, "Well, little Minsu can't keep his mouth shut and stay in his bloody seat, but at least I can eat bbq and have a great night with my co-workers after work without worrying about money".
That doesn't really cut it most of the time, so I too would appreciate any advice to get me through these last potentially painful six weeks. |
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koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 3:39 am Post subject: |
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| What if you have a high-paying job, good co-workers, an understanding boss, and (usually) well-behaved students? |
Then the premise would be different, and I wouldn't have typed that reply then. I was commenting based on someone NOT liking their job and staying there for 4 years.
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| You recommend working six months in a place where the majority of contracts are for a year? Talk about commitment phobia. |
I was commenting based on the original poster's premise. HE DOESN'T SEEM TO LIKE HIS JOB. If the job was friggin awesome, then stay for 100 years.
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| If students are bugging you just remember that soon enough they won't be your problem any more. |
I didn't create this thread. Someone else did. I only commented what I would do if I didn't like my job.
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| He reminds of that poster, I think it was last year, who bragged about taking his third Korean ESL job in one year |
Sure, if you misread my comments to reflect a GOOD job.
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| It's becoming increasingly difficult to pretend patience with the little things I would ordinarily brush aside, especially in the classroom. |
Then I suggest the same thing, and I will clarify because it seems like some people jumped to conclusions:
WHEN YOU GET TIRED OF THE JOB YOU HAVE, IT "MIGHT" BE A GOOD IDEA TO LOOK AROUND. I have taught for 6 months and looked elsewhere. This is not to brag but I too lived 4 years in the same area (Kyoto Japan), and I didn't travel, I didn't go anywhere, nor did I experience the culture of Japan to the fullest. So, when I went to Korea, I made it a point to move around and learn about different areas. I am quite happy now where I am in Beijing because I have done this. I went to Shanghai, I hated it, and I went then to a couple other areas before settling here in April. I am at the 6 month mark and I don't plan on moving until next year. However, YES, it did take me leaving some not so nice experiences to land here.
When it sucks, move on. COMBINATION of 6 months with 1 year and beyond. I hope people can see this and not take my words out of the context I used them in. |
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lorenchristopher
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 5:45 am Post subject: |
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Thanks koreatimes.
I agree that if you hate your job or your situation you should either change it or shut up about it. Trust me that's one of my biggest pet peeves is whiners. I'm not trying to whine here, but just seek advice on how to remain calm and not totally slack out and loose it....which I feel myself starting to do.
My hagwon job has been great, super easy.....high salary, low hours and low responsibilities (thus the reason I've been with them four years). I am staying in Korea, but transitioning into a field other than teaching. |
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calendar
Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: being a hermit
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| Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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| When it sucks, move on |
If you made a year's committment then finish your committment before moving on. |
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koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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| calendar wrote: |
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| When it sucks, move on |
If you made a year's committment then finish your committment before moving on. |
What does this mean?
The contracts I have signed include terminating the contract for WHATEVER reasons. They usually include 2 weeks from the employer to 2 months from the employee.
I have never "committed" to 1 year in a contract. What I agreed to was a monthly salary with monthly duties up to a maximum of a year length of time. That doesn't mean I am willing to sacrifice a year regardless what happens in the workplace.
1. You could be a janitor sweeping floors for 5.5 months. You have the right to quit and move on.
2. You could be a McDonald's employee, and after 8.5 months of handing out fries and big macs, quit, go to college and get better qualifications.
3. You could be working on campus (library, office job, etc...) to pay off loans/tuition expenses and quit after a month or 1 semester, your choice.
4. You could be a college graduate, deciding to experience living and working in another country. Go, enjoy 6 months, and then head back home.
5. Maybe you went to college 10 years or so at a med school, You work at a hospital 20-30 years, and into the contract you no longer have interest in being a doctor. Quit and move on to something else.
Why sign a contract that tells the employer, "I will work 1 year for you regardless what happens because I am only committed to fulfilling 1 year"?
Maybe recruiters want this because it means you will be there for a year, but it doesn't help the employee at all.
Last edited by koreatimes on Thu Sep 29, 2011 5:39 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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