Hello everyone,
I just wanted to pass the word on about a school that has seriously helped the negativity that surrounds Korea's ESL Industry. The posting is a letter that I wrote to the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, and even Mayor's office in Seoul.........of course, no replies were given. I realize there are teachers that have been in worse situations, but hopefully this will help somone else.
Hello from China!
I am writing this letter in hopes of receiving some help. My name is "bleeeeep". I was previously a foreign teacher in Korea. I taught there for two years, and finished my last contract with "bleeeeeep", in Gwangmeyong City this past May.
However, after that, I signed on with a school named Suk Jung Elementary School, in the Gimpo country side. Upon my return from a brief vacation from home, I was informed by the principle, "bleeeeep", and the mothers' group, that I was to teach private lessons to the students inside my apartment; every night after regular class hours. As we all know, conducting lessons with out the permission of immigration is illegal, and I did not wish to risk my job, and take the chance of getting deported from Korea. So, with those considerations, I had to refuse their demands. Upon my refusal, that is when I realized I made the worst mistake of my teaching career, by working with Suk Jung Elementary School.
Upon my refusal, I was immediately accused of being bad teacher, and abusing a student (in which case, there was never a police report presented, nor would anyone identify the student that supposedly made this claim). I was then called into a meeting (with out legal representation, nor a translator) and was informed that if I did not sign a document, I would be immediately terminated. This document basically laid out the false accusations, and gave instructions that if I did not do exactly what they wanted me to do, I would be immediately terminated. I knew that this was a set up, and I did not agree to sign the document. I already had my 30 days notice ready to turn in, and I did so. Unfortunately, that did not go over well, and both myself and the school did not handle the situation in a more professional manner. There was shouting, but it came to the point where I was being physically threatened. I had to call my friend,"bleeeeeep", who is the English teacher for SuNam Elementary School (in the same district as Suk Jung) to come and pick me up.
In my 30 days notice, I pointed out that I would full fill my duties and pay back my airfare, as long as the school provided me with a letter of release; so that I would be able to seek employment elsewhere. However, I was constantly being threatened with "deportation", receiving physical threats, and was being constantly told that I WOULD NOT receive a letter of release, even if I finished my 30 days notice.
Upon that point, I decided to take the matter to immigration in Mokdong. I informed my direct supervisor, "bleeeeeep", that I would be doing so, and requested him to come with me. Not only did he refuse, he physically tried to stop me from going. Before I left, I requested to have a copy of the contract in its Korean version ( I was never initially given the Korean version, which means I never signed it. I find that odd, because all public schools are required to give both copies, and have the foreign teacher sign both copies as well). I also noticed something with Korean version. It claimed that the school was part of the GEPIK program (Gyongi English Program in Korea), where as the English version made no reference of it. In addition, the Korean version had no claims or clauses that a normal GEPIK contract should have. I know this because my friend, "bleeeeeep"whom I mentioned earlier, was given and signed both copies of his, and they were exactly identical (I still have both copies).
I went to immigration in Mokdong, with all of my documents. I was hoping that based on the events that happened, and based on the problems the principle had caused for the teacher whom I replaced (he had to go to the Mokdong immigration office as well), that they would cancel visa. However, nobody spoke English and nobody seemed to care. It was at that point that I decided to leave Korea the following Monday.................7 days before my 30 days notice would have been in full effect. This took place last July.
I went to Thailand, to have a vacation and try and figure out my options. I returned to Korea in September, in hopes of resolving the situation, receiving the pay that I left behind (which was never paid to me..............in which case I would have given back to cover my initial airfare and utility bills), and seek employment elsewhere in Korea. The school that wanted to hire me, Global Language Institute in Suwon (Scott Lee is the director) and the recruiter working with me at the time,"bleeeep"of "bleep" Recruiting Agency, went to visit the principle at Suk Jung Elementary School. They both knew the situation, spoken to my references and the teachers that work for the other schools in the same district, and decided that I was in fact telling the truth. However, the principle, refused to meet with me (I went as well. I was willing to apologize for the trouble........although I did nothing wrong), and drove away from the school to avoid the meeting.
I was left stranded in Korea at that time, and that is why I am here in China. During the past 7 months, I have been fighting to resolve the situation, and to come back to Korea and teach. I enjoyed teaching in Korea, the culture, the people, and promoting the awareness of the English language to Korean students; in order to help them be competitive in to days world. Both my father and my grandfather served in Korea, and were very surprised with what had happened to me. They both highly respected and admired the Korean people and its culture, and were proud to have served there. However, after the the events that transpired there, they have lost that respect and admiration. I, still maintain that respect, because I know that the actions of Suk Jung Elementary School are not true reflections of Korean people.
All I am asking is for some help with this situation. I want to clear my name, and the false accusation against me. I would like to have my letter of release, or at least be cleared by immigration, so that I can have the opportunity to pick up where I left off, and do my job in Korea. Unfortunately, I am not the only teacher that things like this have happened to. There are many teachers who come to Korea with high hopes, only to experience similar, if not worse, situations such as mine.
In summary, these are the things that have happened.
1. It was demanded by the principle and the mothers group I teach illegaly.
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.
I realize that this is a long email, and there is probably nothing you can do about it. However, I would at least ask that someone look into this, check my references, and understand who is telling the truth, and who is not. Hopefully, these things will become a rarity in Korea..............and hopefully, I can come back and teach.
Thank you for your time,
Sincerely,
"bleeeeeep"[/color]
Topic: Suk Jung Elementary School (Read 1070 times)