Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dmbfan]

Hey everyone! Wow, I've been reading Dave's for a long time now, and for some reason, this will be my first official posting. Part of this posting will give you my thoughts, and the other part will be warning everyone about a school (I have a jammed finger, so please overlook the bad spelling, ok?)

There was another topic on the site, talking about lower teacher applicants this year. One point that was mentioned was Korea's reputation may finally be catching up with itself. In all honesty, that may happen. However, there is a sucker born every minute, and there will always be people looking to come to Korea to teach. But, don't suggest that it would not put a smile on my face to see Korea have a moment of self actualization/realization and ask themselves..."Um, perhaps we SHOULD try to adapt and clean up our reputation..........NOT by making things more difficult, but by cracking down on those who are part of the problem" (ignorrant school owners). It would put a smile on my face to see Korea REALLY go through a teacher shortage, and be forced to make changes within itself. But, will those things happen? Not overnight, if ever.

It would also put a smile on my face to have the U.S. military pull out of Korea, and have them say "Ok....were are done spending the tax dollars of the American public. So, your protection is your job now". But, lets not get into that too much.

I am currently in China, rural China actually. However, I taught in Korea for two years, May 2003-May 2005. In all honesty, I had some of the worst luck. First, I started at a Wonderland...(oh lord), then I worked for a school that was brand new and had no foreign teachers. So, it was up to me to design the curriculum, and what not. I think I did a pretty good job, if I say so myself. However, when it came time for vacation and contract promises, well......let me put it to you this way........KNC Language School in Seosan. Nope, I did not work there, but I worked at the one in Gunsan, managed by the director who was shamed Seoson. Yeah, I moved on. Then, FINALLY, I found a school were I could finsih. No hassles, no contract schemes......just a "do your job" kind of school. However, seeing as how the accomadation was in the school, and that my bedroom was right next to the kindergarten play room, it made things a little.......frustrating. Despite having to work with Korean women who did'nt know their buts from a hole in the ground, my boss was a cool lady, and I finished. Yeah!!!!! A becon of light shined down upon from heavan............I had finsished a contract.

Now, this is where it gets interesting, so I'll try and keep it brief. I was hired by what I thought was a public elementary school in the Gimpo countryside. My friends whom I had worked with in the past were working for public school system, and they loved it. So, I thought my time had come....little did I know. I was hired by Suk Jung Elementary School.........and here is a synopsis of what happened.....and why I did a midnight run,(I was constantly being threatened with being deported, physical abuse, not receiving a letter of release even if I finished my 30 days notice) before my 30 day notice would have taken affect. Oh, and I did go to immigration in Mokdong, to seek help.....but, nobody spoke English and they did not seem to care (oh there is more, but it does not do any good to go into those details now). AND....the teacher whom I replaced had big problems as well....no wonder he was looking to get out of there in a hurry......


1. It was demanded by the principle and the mothers group I teach illegaly inside my apartment, everynight...to a limitless amount of students.
2. Upon refuse to teach illegaly, false accusations were made against me.
3. Two contract that are not the same, nor was I initially given or signed the Korean verison.
4. I was constantly being threatend.
5. The principle has lied to immigration as to why I left the school.
6. Suk Jung Elementary school did not cancel my E2 visa, even AFTER they hired a couple as my replacement (whom also quite the school)
7. I was never paid for the three weeks in July, prior to when I left.
8. The principle has refused to meet with me, or anyone seeking to resolve this situation.
9. My name has been smeared, by false accustions.
10. Just recently, to cover its ass AGAIN, the school reported to immigration that I did infact teach the private lessons.
****This all happened last July********
Yeah, I know. Many teacher have been in worse situations. But, what bothers me the most, is that these people just can't act like men. They are cowards to the bone. It would be easy to classify all Koreans that way, but if I do that, then Suk Jung wins. I know Koreans are weird, backward, etc..........but, they are generally nice people.

Since then, I've been fighting to get back. I have had a couple of opportunities, but they just did not feel right (mainly due to a bad experience with a recruting agency...E...ven....T..hough......i.....C..an't give their name...which is another story that has meaning to this whole thing, but it would be a waste of time at this point). It is so frustrating when you are dealing with people who lie, and can't look in you in the eye. Well, I've met people like that in the rest of the world as well.

Since then, I've been in China (oh...if anyone ever decides to try China....do not, I repeat DO NOT work for a franchise name English First..........they are the Wonderland of Korea, but worse). I'm in rural China, at a public school. My principle speaks perfect English, and is probably the nicest boss I have ever worked for. Honestly, I would rather be in Korea. Being away, despite what has happened, has helped me realize that Korea is not that bad.

1. You make good money.
2. You have the opportunity to learn, about life, and yourself.
3. You have the opportunity to meet people that can be your friends for the rest of your life (foriegn or Korean)

There is just this "buzz" about the thought of being back in Korea, getting back to my old routine. But, it may be just a thought, and my time in Korea may REALLY be over, seeing as how Suk Jung Elementary School just decided to change their story about what happened, and blacklisted with immigration..........a-holes. I don't know how long a blacklist status lasts.........the original visa expires in three months. Who knows, perhaps I'll be back?

But, there is one thing that has to happen. Many teachers LET themselves get screwed, by NOT standing up the a corrupt employer. Why? Mainly for the reason of making that extra won. Teachers have to know their rights, and exercise them when necessary. One reason so many schools get away with what they do, is because teachers don't know what is going on, and then the sh**t hits the fan.

Hopefully, one day, Korea will wake up in some respect. Geez, I hope my one country will "wake up" as well. But, in the ESL industry, seeing as how Korea spends the most money, they are just having problems showing the results of their investment. Why is this? I'm not sure really......I could throw meaningless jokes around about it, but that would not help. I mean, I am in rural China, and nobody speaks a lick of English.......accept English teachers at the school, and they do speak really good English I must say (even at English First). But, that is beside the point.

To any newbies....you will hear it time, these time and time again.....
1. Do your research!!!!!
2. Stand up for yourself, and know your rights.
3. Try to avoid Wonderland if you can.
4. Try to actually learn something about the job.
5. Try to enjoy the job (I was lucky, I realized I loved teaching kids as soon as I started)
6. Enjoy your money.
7. Make friends.
8. Travel during your vacations.
9. Learn some Korean
10. And....................DO NOT do a midnight run, unless it is the last resort. It can have consequences. And, some of you will be justified in doing a midnight run, but many won't care as to why.........be prepared for that.

Anyway, I guess that is about it. Yeah, I know this was long. But, I had a lot to say.

Eat, drink and be merry!

Dmbfan