Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rock]

I've received three disturbing situations-two complaints-to relate to you. I'd appreciate your imput as to what you'd do.

Both my complaints happened today. The manager and co-manager said, "I hope you don't misunderstand us, but the students hate you. We have to find out why." This completely floored me. I'd thought I'd had a great rapport with the kids, and can only relate this to the teenager class or overconcern on the manager's part in regard to them or some spoiled kids.

My second complaint was, "The students don't understand you." Well, I'm completely flummoxed about this, since they actually hate me so understand me enough to engage in hateful remarks. Isn't misunderstaning true for most of us teaching ESL here? Isn't this the most frustrating aspect of teaching them and getting them to learn? Or is this really my fault? There's a lot they don't understand. How can you respond to this complaint?

My third complaint was from me and was in regards to kids calling me 'Waegookin' at the work place. Do you think this is all right? I mean, wouldn't Teacher M_________ be better? They seem to be using this in a derrogatory manner too. Some of the female Korean co-workers laughed on the side at this, since they too use 'Waegukin' to refer to me. I know this term is rampant in public, but in the workplace I'd told them I think it's disrespectful. How do you feel about this?

I feel like giving the manager an ultimatum in regard to the first two complaints. I'd told him to make evaluations, find out who's hating/misunderstaning me, and then have us discuss why. I feel as if my job's in jeopardy otherwise. I also told the co-manager not to tell me this ever again unless it's legitimate, or unless I actually instigate this hatred. It's just completely ruined my confindence, and I feel like telling the manager-although he's a great guy- that if he thinks I'm so unlikable, then he can give me a month of probation or else.

[Derrek]

Hmm... how long have you been there? Is this happening in the final 3 months or less of your contract?

[The Lemon]

[Badmojo]

I've never heard any students call me a waygookin. Where are you? Way out in the sticks? I think I would probably take it personally too. Could you imagine back home calling someone "the foreigner" at work? Doesn't the foreigner have a name?

First of all with the students, if they're yours, tell them what you want to be called. Take matters into your own hands. When someone calls you a waygookin, dole out the discipline.

As for your K-girl co-workers, consider the source. They obviously don't know any better. Has this hagwon ever had a foreigner working there before?

[TheUrbanMyth]

[The Lemon]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[ScrewWhiteDay]

The spoiled, rotten kids aren't new. I've been dealing with �ʵ�s with no respect for awhile and have realized that Korea's changed since the last time I was here. What does seem to be starkly disturbing is the lack of cooperation and respect from your coworkers and boss. If they worded it as you said, they are a bunch of inconsiderate asses who obviously do not value you at all. Under such personal attacks, I'm not sure I would bust out a "f- this" and leave immediately.

[The Lemon]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Ya-ta Boy]

Yes, getting specifics is the most important step. "Hate" is a very strong word. The manager probably meant that for some reason the kids don't like your teaching style. Before you can adapt you need to find out what the specific problems are. It may be only that you are speaking too fast or not offering enough 'fun' activities or something else that can be remedied fairly easily. Talk again with the manager and see what you can learn from him.

Then talk to the kids. (If their English is good enough.) You said you thought you have a good rapport with them. The complainers are probably a small minority. But listen to what the students say and use what is valuable.

As for the waygookin thing: Koreans don't use names like we do in the West. They use titles, positions, labels. It is not disrespectful. It could be, but isn't necessarily so. Instead of them calling you Teacher Rock, try having them call you Mr. Rock. It is better English anyway.

[Real Reality]

Overall living conditions, including education, housing, medical care, transportation, immigration, and access to the Internet are pointed to as inconveniences. Not only inconveniences caused by different systems and customs in Korea, but also special discriminating practices, such as the practice of submitting two years of monthly rent in advance like a deposit, which is required of foreigners just because they are foreigners, are ubiquitous. "Even though Korea has achieved some degree of globalization in going abroad, it has still a long way to go for globalization in embracing foreigners inward," said foreigners residing in Korea.
Foreigners Experience Difficulties in Living in Korea
by Jae-Dong Yu and Soo-Jung Shin, Donga.com (July 4, 2004)
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2004070522448

[Yu_Bum_suk]

If you feel that you have a good relationship with your kids, and you can get most kids who, even though they know they can do whatever they want, to learn, then you've done a great job. Without knowing how long you've been there it's really hard to say what you should do. Don't sweat it with the 'waygukin' thing, and only spoil the kids after they've done some work and don't be afraid to say 'no, today you didn't study well - no candy or stickers'.

[joe_doufu]

[Squid]

Do a class activity for all your students "what I think of teacher." Keep the results.

If it's really bothering you ask for a meeting between you, your supervisor or manager, the kid(s) concerned and their parents.

It takes a while to get your wits back after one from left-field but when you do it should be easy to put them back in their box.