Anyone else at school today?

[eggplant_tyrant]

Well yeah, but we're not real, professional teachers. We will never be real, professional teachers at a Korean public school unless we pass the Korean teacher's test and become proper, certified teachers in Korea. Until we do that, we will, as a group, never be treated like proper teachers in a country as hierarchy-mad as Korea. Public school NETs can, of course, respond to this in a few ways: Like Yu, they can seek out jobs where they are basically treated as real teachers despite not actually being so (which means putting in extra hours sometimes, but also reaping the benefits), or they can accept that the school views them as clock-punchers, come in and punch the clock, and appreciate going home at 4:30 every day while their co-workers stay behind to finish up paperwork. They can also enjoy their Saturdays off and decline to feel guilty about it when their Korean co-workers express envy, because it more than evens out come deskwarming time.

It's more a matter of whether you see your time in Korea as a job or a career. People who are only looking to be here for a few years should probably treat it as a job, and that often means accepting it when your employers don't consider you a proper, career teacher. Because, in Korea, you're not. People who are in for the long haul would do better to seek out schools that are willing to give a foreigner a career opportunity, like Yu has done.

[kadams3]

As of this year, at least in elementary schools, there will no longer be school on Saturdays. I'm looking forward to not having to hear about how jealous the other teachers are that I don't have to work that day.

There's a few reasons why desk-warming irritates me so much:
1. Up until a few years ago foreign teachers never had to do it. It came about because Korean teachers, who more often than not also had no formal duties during vacation time, complained that foreign teachers should have to work during vacation time. In light of there not being any regular classes, foreign teachers were made to come in and sit at their desks all day.

2. Considering the reasons for its implementation, I am frustrated with the complete and utter lack of purpose in coming here. I prefer regular teaching days to desk-warming because at least when I am teaching I'm not bored by pointless activity.

3. It is essentially treating adults, teachers even, as children. I'm not a child, and I've been doing this for over four years in Korea.

[Yu_Bumsuk]

As of this year, at least in elementary schools, there will no longer be school on Saturdays. I'm looking forward to not having to hear about how jealous the other teachers are that I don't have to work that day.

There's a few reasons why desk-warming irritates me so much:
1. Up until a few years ago foreign teachers never had to do it. It came about because Korean teachers, who more often than not also had no formal duties during vacation time, complained that foreign teachers should have to work during vacation time. In light of there not being any regular classes, foreign teachers were made to come in and sit at their desks all day.

2. Considering the reasons for its implementation, I am frustrated with the complete and utter lack of purpose in coming here. I prefer regular teaching days to desk-warming because at least when I am teaching I'm not bored by pointless activity.

3. It is essentially treating adults, teachers even, as children. I'm not a child, and I've been doing this for over four years in Korea.

That's true but you have to consider that some Korean contract teachers also have to come in to desk warm, and are contracts are basically based on theirs. Now, it's not nice that some schools treat Korean contract teachers like children, too, but it's not simply a matter of 'Hey, let's treat whitey like a salary slave'. Senior teachers wouldn't like the idea of junior Korean teachers getting more time off than them, too.

[eggplant_tyrant]

As of this year, at least in elementary schools, there will no longer be school on Saturdays. I'm looking forward to not having to hear about how jealous the other teachers are that I don't have to work that day.

There's a few reasons why desk-warming irritates me so much:
1. Up until a few years ago foreign teachers never had to do it. It came about because Korean teachers, who more often than not also had no formal duties during vacation time, complained that foreign teachers should have to work during vacation time. In light of there not being any regular classes, foreign teachers were made to come in and sit at their desks all day.

2. Considering the reasons for its implementation, I am frustrated with the complete and utter lack of purpose in coming here. I prefer regular teaching days to desk-warming because at least when I am teaching I'm not bored by pointless activity.

3. It is essentially treating adults, teachers even, as children. I'm not a child, and I've been doing this for over four years in Korea.

I don't disagree that all of that is annoying and petty -- it's a big part of the reason I'm not going to be in this country long-term. I'd rather pursue a career in a place where people don't have to work so hard against cultural programming just to judge a person on their merits rather than their surface attributes. However, I do think that, given the system and the current political climate, railing against the injustice is pointless, especially when you've signed a contract that explicitly states the number of vacation days you get each year.

I also think it's good to keep in mind that deskwarming and "bonus" vacation classes are not unique to NETs. Most contract teachers are expected to do just as much, if not more, in that regard. It's not specifically about treating us like children, it's about making sure everyone lower on the totem pole knows his or her place.

[JahRhythm]

Well yeah, but we're not real, professional teachers. We will never be real, professional teachers at a Korean public school unless we pass the Korean teacher's test and become proper, certified teachers in Korea.  .

Who is "we"? I'm not a public school teacher.
Speak for yourself.

[cornflakes]

Who created such a term as "desk warming"?   It is precisely this reason why NETs are getting a bad rap and getting the boot now after taking advantage of the system.

With all due respect, are some of you teachers so lazy and undisciplined that you can't take it upon yourself to do something productive and industrious during these 'free' days that you have to sit back and watch movies online all day and call it 'desk warming'?

This is why NETs are not seen as professional and responsible to a growing number of eyes.  We don't need to have our schools baby us 24/7 and remind us to stay productive even if there is NO CLASS and nobody is at school.   Why not plan your next semester?  Prepare some games, activities, worksheets, ideas?  Why not read up on articles to better improve your teaching skills or classroom management?  I'm sure none of you are so perfect that you need not have to learn anymore.   
Why not do a self-evaluation of your previous year?  Go over the materials you taught and see what worked and what didn't and how you could improve for next year?   It's a good idea to keep these records for yourself for future use.  Even if you aren't in the same school job anymore, you can still use your lesson plans and evaluations to prepare for jobs in another school or hagwon.

You could also take the time to clean and organize your classroom?  It's not a sin for the Foreign English teacher to clean up your own classroom.  I know some of you think that's not your job or responsibility, but grow up and just do it. 

Listen, let's not 'flaunt' desk-warming.  I consider that an insulting term for a professional teacher.  It implies that we are too immature and irresponsible and lacking of discipline to do anything useful with our own time other than to keep a chair/desk warm with our natural body heat.

The only thing I hate about 'desk-warming' is obviously not being able to see and interact with people and teach (primary role), but I've been able to use the time very responsibly to get ahead, plan ahead, self-evaluate, experiment/practice activities/games/ideas or whatnot.

I think we need to stop perpetuating this backward ideology of "desk-warming".  When I first came to korea to teach, I had no idea what this term meant.  I always found a way to use my free time and not complain about how boring or how stupid or wasteful 'desk warming' is.

Let me tell you, there is no such thing as 'desk-warming'.  You created that reality for yourself and now you blame your school or korea's education system for 'desk-warming'?  Please.   

Thumbs up or press the 'Like' button if you agree 

[JahRhythm]

Thanks for the pep talk Boss.
What a load of crap.

[Yu_Bumsuk]

Who created such a term as "desk warming"?   It is precisely this reason why NETs are getting a bad rap and getting the boot now after taking advantage of the system.

With all due respect, are some of you teachers so lazy and undisciplined that you can't take it upon yourself to do something productive and industrious during these 'free' days that you have to sit back and watch movies online all day and call it 'desk warming'?

This is why NETs are not seen as professional and responsible to a growing number of eyes.  We don't need to have our schools baby us 24/7 and remind us to stay productive even if there is NO CLASS and nobody is at school.   Why not plan your next semester?  Prepare some games, activities, worksheets, ideas? 

Oh I'll certainly do some of that, but on my time and terms, thank you very much. I'll also take my students to a speech contest on a Sunday or spend Friday evening and a non-school day Saturday morning prepping my students for an ESPT exam that's later that day. But the minute someone tells me I have to come into an empty, cold school for eight hours a day for all but a week or two of winter break for no apparent reason is the day I start searching the job ads.

[cornflakes]

Thanks for the pep talk Boss.
What a load of crap.

Typical response from another deadbeat NET. 

[WorkingTitle3484]

Who is "we"? I'm not a public school teacher.
Speak for yourself.

Having a bad day?  Relax.  In Eggplant's defense, she's saying that Koreans don't consider us real, professional teachers even though some of us may be.  If you suck it up and show up sans moaning when asked, Koreans will treat you better.  If you bellyache and woe-is-me all the time, they'll treat you like a passing vagrant.  E_Tyrant is saying NETs have two choices: one, in Yu's case, seek out proper employment for the long haul and expect to be treated like a fellow teacher, or two, sit back until you're contract's over so you can move on.  Correct me if I'm wrong Eggplant.

I also agree with her second post.  You get a contract, read it, agree, then sign.  We all know the malarchy involved with deskwarming or staying in school while the school's empty.  You can piss and moan about it, but what good will that do?  Will you then try to complain and make the rain stop falling?  It's useless.  Furthermore, in some schools like mine, a different Korean teacher will have to come one or two days during their vacation to (I guess) mind the phones and make sure the building doesn't burn down.  They can stomp and trample the earth or they can just accept it.  These are the cards so deal with it.

[cornflakes]

Who created such a term as "desk warming"?   It is precisely this reason why NETs are getting a bad rap and getting the boot now after taking advantage of the system.

With all due respect, are some of you teachers so lazy and undisciplined that you can't take it upon yourself to do something productive and industrious during these 'free' days that you have to sit back and watch movies online all day and call it 'desk warming'?

This is why NETs are not seen as professional and responsible to a growing number of eyes.  We don't need to have our schools baby us 24/7 and remind us to stay productive even if there is NO CLASS and nobody is at school.   Why not plan your next semester?  Prepare some games, activities, worksheets, ideas? 

Oh I'll certainly do some of that, but on my time and terms, thank you very much. I'll also take my students to a speech contest on a Sunday or spend Friday evening and a non-school day Saturday morning prepping my students for an ESPT exam that's later that day. But the minute someone tells me I have to come into an empty, cold school for eight hours a day for all but a week or two of winter break for no apparent reason is the day I start searching the job ads.

Listen, it's called "YOUR JOB".  It doesn't matter if you are teaching class or not.  You are under contract to work those hours.  Stop whining like little children.   If you don't like your job in Korea, then two words: get out.

[JahRhythm]

I won't bore you with my experience or credentials (lest I come off like Mountain Crocodile) but I'm far from a deadbeat.
I dont need to deskwarm so I have no dig in the fight.
Being asked to do it is more unprofessional than complaining about it.

[cornflakes]

All I'm saying is nobody forced you to look at it as "desk-warming".  Who made you desk-warm?
NOBODY.  So stop blaming your school or the korean education system.  You are a teacher.   Do something else with your time besides sitting on your rear watching movies on the job and then complain about it.

I've obviously struck a nerve here with our whining NETs.   As the popular saying goes, "The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off."

I love my job, period.

[Yu_Bumsuk]

Who created such a term as "desk warming"?   It is precisely this reason why NETs are getting a bad rap and getting the boot now after taking advantage of the system.

With all due respect, are some of you teachers so lazy and undisciplined that you can't take it upon yourself to do something productive and industrious during these 'free' days that you have to sit back and watch movies online all day and call it 'desk warming'?

This is why NETs are not seen as professional and responsible to a growing number of eyes.  We don't need to have our schools baby us 24/7 and remind us to stay productive even if there is NO CLASS and nobody is at school.   Why not plan your next semester?  Prepare some games, activities, worksheets, ideas? 

Oh I'll certainly do some of that, but on my time and terms, thank you very much. I'll also take my students to a speech contest on a Sunday or spend Friday evening and a non-school day Saturday morning prepping my students for an ESPT exam that's later that day. But the minute someone tells me I have to come into an empty, cold school for eight hours a day for all but a week or two of winter break for no apparent reason is the day I start searching the job ads.

Listen, it's called "YOUR JOB".  It doesn't matter if you are teaching class or not.  You are under contract to work those hours.  Stop whining like little children.   If you don't like your job in Korea, then two words: get out.

I love my job in Korea - because they don't make me do all that BS. "MY JOB" is to teach my scheduled lessons, assist my coworkers, and provide what extracurricular help I can to my students to the best of my abilities. If you think contracts are so important why does absolutely no one at my school know what's actually in it?

[Anor Londo]

This is the price we have to pay for not attending school on Saturdays. I'd rather go to school on winter vacation than have a six day work week.

[WorkingTitle3484]

Personally, I've never been asked to deskwarm during the vacation periods.  I've always had to teach throughout these periods because honestly, that's what I prefer.  I came at 8:30 and taught until 1.  I'd like to think that the key to happiness is listening really carefully for ambiguity.  Teach until 1 to me means teach until 1.  If you didn't say that I have to stay in school, then I'm not planning on it.

Before, when I first found out about teaching all summer and winter, I accepted it.  You've gotta make the best of it.  So, I taught all the classes I had been dying to teach (science, math, movies, all that), and whenever I felt the need (rare), I ended class early.  Kids were happy and so was I.

You're getting paid to either sit on your ascot or play games with kids.  If you'd rather give that up and head home to do nothing for free, be Korea's guest.  However, I really don't see deskwarming as being that bad.

[Yu_Bumsuk]

This is the price we have to pay for not attending school on Saturdays. I'd rather go to school on winter vacation than have a six day work week.

It's a half day every first, third, and calendar permitting fifth Saturday of every month, and I find it really quite useful for admin stuff, getting caught up, or doing extra work with students at certain times of the year. I also often take part of my CTs' CA classes which frees them up when they're busy. And wouldn't you know it, they also try to make life easier for me! It's amazing how reciprocation works, isn't it?

And to each their own but I'd rather put in a five-and-a-half-day week twice a month that sit in a cold, empty school for two months of the year.