Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bosintang]

I posted this on another thread, but I want to start a new thread of my own.

I work at a public middle-school, and by any indication, I've done a good job.

Anyways, I just finished my last class of the day and my co-teacher came up to me and said "Oh, do you want to re-sign your contract?". I have four months left, so I was not expecting this so soon. I asked her when she needed to know by, and she said immediately. I got really angry about it, and eventually, my supervisor told me to think about it over the weekend.

I was really pissed off

1) about how demanding it was and how they needed an answer immediately. This speaks volumes in itself.

2) about how casual I was asked. No offer, no talk about my performance, nothing. Want to resign? Yes? Ok, check box A. No? Ok, check box B. We'll get a new round-eye next term. You're all the same, after all. You all speak English.

3) that it was my co-teacher instead of my Vice-principal or Principal who asked me. I felt that was very disrepectful, and showed just how much they cared. Surely an offer like re-signing another year should come from your boss instead of your co-worker?


Anyways, I already knew my answer and I've expressed a lot of cynicism about this program here on Dave's, but that's not the point. I've done a good job, and I think I had earned the right to have ten minutes respect and to have received a proper offer.It wasn't just one of these things above, but all of them combined that really ticked me off. They just don't care, and I don' t know why I do. I suppose it's the only way I can maintain my own self-esteem. I know I have more to offer than being a warm English-speaking body even if they won't reckonise it.


The schadenfreude in me right now wants this program to fill up with recent college grads on an extended frat party and middle-aged alcoholics running away from child alimony in their home countries. Useless. And the PoE can keep throwing more and more money away at their their incompetence, and keep complaining to the media about their low-quality foreigners' lessons. Like deserves like.

(In reality, when I leave at the end of my contract, I know I'm not going to be looking back. I don't *really* want this to happen. I won't care what happens either way.)

Am I being unreasonable? Or Is this just a case of 'it's time to go'? Anyways, it was a good kick in the head to remind me why I could never stay here.

[ChuckECheese]

It sounds like your hard work is really being appreciated, not.

Four months is still a long way from making any kind of renewed commitment with people who really don�t appreciate your value.

I would just give them �maybe and think about it� answer and tell them you�ll get back to them later. And give them your peace a month before your contract is up.

[bosintang]

[babtangee]

A foreigner looking for respect in Korea is like a foxhound expecting a ride on the horsey during a foxhunt. You got your hierarchy messed up.

That being said, there are Koreans who recognise us as human beings. But you're not going to find many of them in public schools (only some of the few overseas-educated teachers, and sometimes the novice English teachers who recognise how much easier you make their life and are grateful for it).

Your school doesn't care about educating the Korean minions. You do. Your school doesn't deserve you. Let them continue in their ignorant bliss (well, we can't stop them), and find the job where you can have the greatest impact on your students' English abilities.

It's so much more satisfying when the kids recognise that you are indeed giving them the gift of English (ha ha) proficiency. I don't think this is possible to any effective degree in the oppressive public school system.

[bosintang]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

My VP asked me last year if I'd stay on until at least summer of 2009. Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but all in all those kinds of questions are a very positive sign.

[Wrench]

Bottom line is that they don't care about you. They never did they never will. I learned a long time ago to never over value my own worth in other peoples eyes. I know what I am worth if they are not willing to pay I am not willing to work there are always better opertunities.

[VanIslander]

[bosintang]

[ChuckECheese]

[zappadelta]

Well, actually, your coteacher is above you in the system. You are not equals, even though everything you read and maybe all the meetings you go to, they say you are partners. This is not true. They are responsible for monitoring you and he/she should be the one that initially talks to you about resigning.

[The_Conservative]

[captain kirk]

"I get no respect. The way my luck is running, if I was a politician I would be honest" -Rodney Dangerfield


Public school is a communal thing. We're in there with the arts and crafts. Anyway, they want you next year, that's a good thing, so why not relax about it? (!).

[bosintang]

[bosintang]