Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VanIslander]

I just found out minutes ago that my director is resistant to the idea of me having a week off then, despite the fact that I'm entitled to two weeks off as per my contract and got only one off so far, in the summer and I'd assumed the other week would be at Christmas time as it was the past three winters at my last job. Darn assumptions! Does he want me to take a week off that overlaps with Solnal in February? or at the end of my contract in April? aggghhh. I was hoping to remain on best terms with the director but I may have to play hardball. I left his office him feeling uncomfortable and me saying we'll talk about it later. And to think I went in to talk him into extending my Christmas week holiday by two extra days. Yikes!

I am not angry, but I am agitated. Irked on the outside. Feel too good inside after having a yummy lunch with a good friend.

But by tonight I might be pissed about it if I dwell on it.

Anyone else with a great hagwon job but with NO extra days off between Christmas and New Year's? Was it easier to handle than it seems?

[Gamecock]

It's actually quite common for hogwans to NOT give you the week off between Christmas and New Years as Christmas is only a one-day holiday here in Korea.

[oldfatfarang]

Tell him that you must have this time off as you are a christian. This is the most important festival/time for christians and most Koreans will respect this. I give my students presents at christmas and they are always surprised. Koreans don't seem to celebrate Christmas or recognise the special meaning it has for Western people.

NB: Don't tell him you're really going to be partying it up in Pattaya!

[uofagirl]

We're getting 10 days off at my hagwon on top of our regular vacation days. Most of my friends who work at various hagwons are getting a week off for Christmas as a part of their 14 day annual vacation. You should push for it, especially if your last one was in the summer(I know I'll need a nice break by then). Giving Seolal off as your other week of vacation is so cheap!

[laogaiguk]

[uofagirl]

Appeal to your director's emotional side. If I were in your situation, I'd stress how much more recharged I'd be with the small break. You'd come back refreshed and that much better of a teacher(I'm sure you're a good teacher but being re-energized makes a big difference). Christmas's on a Monday anyways so you're not technically getting a whole week off...hope you can work something out.

[The Hierophant]

Wait, hold up, you get a whole consecutive WEEK off at some stage? The best I can ever hope for is a three day weekend.

You so rucky!

[laogaiguk]

[The Hierophant]

[uofagirl]

Assuming you weren't being sarcastic...if you put in the time(pay your dues) and make a few connections, you should eventually find a couple of those jobs with consecutive weeks off(even at a hagwon). I got lucky my first year here(Sept 2004) and found a hagwon that gave(and still gives) 1 consecutive month off AND Korean and Canadian holidays(I think we ended up with 6 weeks off that year due to where Chuseok, Christmas and Seolal fell).

A well rested teacher is a good teacher!

[The Hierophant]

[Summer Wine]

At our school we have a solid week off, though it isn't the bosses who mind. Its the parents who feel they are getting done and so the Korean teachers have to come in for two days of that week. I don't really understand the logic, but hey thats just me.

I have been here now long enough that I can say I have almost seen it all in one form or another. Maybe, its time someone else said what foreign teachers think in their hearts at times.

[Canadian Club]

When is Seolal?

[VirginIslander]

Whats up Van,

Are the students on vaction from public school during Christmas break?

A first year question for a first year teacher.

[VanIslander]