Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner1]

Do you go through times during your teaching contract that almost push you over the edge to buy an airline ticket out of Korea? If so, how do you get through these hang ups (incompatible employer/employee issues) as to successfully complete your contract?

I know I am being vague, but I am dealing with the situation of everything being fine until halfway through my first contract. Wam! They tell me everything is wrong with what I am doing while I'm not doing anything outrageous, unethical, or bad. They are making me very uncomfortable in a non-verbal manner as well. No pay issues, yet. I had a few issues with being over charged for bills, but correct them on it to their disliking and attitude that I am always wrong.

I am not ever late for a class, am always prepared, and put forward my best efforts, but the director tells me I am doing a terrible job. I ask her what she thinks we ought to do about it and she says, "You know Korean culture, don't you? Well you need to read their minds. Don't you know?" She then tells me that I ask for CD's and tapes, but never use them while I use them everyday!!! She tells me I am never prepared, but yet I am. Tells me that I never tell her about TEFA and YBM textbook mistakes which I have told her about a few needed corrections. She then tells me to not let kids do any running around and making noise. We are talking about 5 year olds with no playtime allowed so they do run and scream at times in class, regardless of what you tell them as little or no discipline is allowed. Then when you discipline them, they hate you, and parents complain. This is one crazy education system. The hogwan director is full of lies, deceit, and just an imposter who knows nothing about teaching and running a school, but yet, is trying to tell me how to with no clear and information other than telling me to read minds. I am suspecting that she is preparing to sack me and not pay me next month. I almost sure about it. To be honest, I am not comfortable or confident enough to do this job any longer for the most expensive and prestigious hogwan in my area who only pays 2 million for 30 contact hours a week.

Yet, I am producing decent learning results, but told that parent complaints are coming in, but not told why this is when I asked. Go figure, I am actually making them learn and do schoolwork with no play time allowed. Koreans are not being realistic about education administration and what is expected of teachers nor do they articulate in a concise manner. I know many of you have said it time after time and now I am saying it.

[MANDRL]

I think everyone goes through these feelings at one point or another. I am here to save up money so I just tell myself to keep my eye on the prize and that is what gets me through crappy days.

[VanIslander]

I know how much of a daily challenge it is to see results in classes you have once or twice a week: takes vigilance, focus, preparedness, adaptedness and hard work.

I kick students out into the hall (without touching them, unless they refuse and need a shirtcollar escort), yell at students, give stickers, candy, chocolates, quizes, work-for-party, review games, whatever it takes. I run the classroom as my KINGDOM.

Maybe that's why the three directors I have had, one here and two on Geoje over the last four and a half years, have NEVER been critical of my teaching. They fear I might yell or quit I think. I would do neither (at least not at first) as I respect their role as the boss: it's their business. But the closest I've experienced is they'd buy me dinner and drinks and when well sloshed with soju mention, in an offhand way, that some parents want their kids to be able to have more conversations, less worried about spelling or reading. The hints are subtle, in a way of communication that many Koreans have made into an art of face saving, and I have never felt in the least bit uncomfortable. Three directors, each treating me with the utmost of respect. Am I lucky? I think so. But I sometimes think their treatment of me is in part due to how I come across: intense, caring-but-sensitive, hard working, put up with no *beep* yet always polite with coworkers and the director, to extreme, always showing respect and deference OUTSIDE the classroom. (When I started in Korea I told my director after the first week that I wasn't going to use the computer because I felt more comfortable dealing directly with my relatively small (6-12) class sizes, adding that I might pick it up again at a later time (which I didn't, but said to seem tolerant but decisive).

In other words: Take charge! It's your classroom.

[Damulgun]

You can always teach in the projects. Do something great for America.

[sojourner1]

Good post VanIslander. what you say is very true.

It is apparent that since this hagwon is a very expensive one with an elitist kindy program and elementary/middle school classes where the wealthy put their kids, they should be hiring teachers who are experienced for around 2.4 m Won a month. I will admit, I am not all that qualified and lack knowledge on satisfying their wants, needs, and desires due to being a rookie. They can't articulate what it is they want, other than class schedule and reading minds out of knowing Korean culture.

I will just stick it out since I made the contract commitment as long they hold up their end.