There have been a lot of English camps going on around the country, a lot with joint schools working together. I know a lot will also go on during winter break, but there are always some during random weekends, as well.
I have done 2 of them so far and they are a lot of fun. I can totally understand teaching all week and then wanting the weekends off, but it can be a good way to travel a bit and get a refreshing new bunch of kids who are so excited to have you (as maybe they don't have a native teacher). Also, it's a good way to try different levels of kids. The first camp I did was a elementary school, and I teach at a junior high. This showed me that the elementary kids are very bright, a little more loud than my kids, which I live, but overall, I think I would stick to middle schoolers. I would like to try a high school camp though, as I think it would be interesting to see the difference in level (hopefully higher!).
It's important to understand the camps are not a breech of the EPIK contract as long as the camps are organized by a public school. The camps will pay you normal overtime pay. Usually that is only for teaching hours, with a small amount for traveling.
The schools go all out for these camps and try to make them a fun, positive learning experience for the kids. Some of them even hand-select their students so they are a really good group who will benefit from being pushed a little and getting the native teacher experience.
But yeah, the weekend ones are usually a long Saturday of teaching and then a short Sunday. Some of them can involve traveling, which can be nice, too. I went to the countryside for one and it was great for me to get out of the city for the weekend and just relax.
It's also a great idea to try to put together a camp and recruit other teachers to help with it! It would be great for me, especially as I'm a Korean, so I don't have the appeal of the caucasian look and I'm sure my kids would just go crazy for it! ;)
To get in on camps, I guess it's good to stay in touch with the emails and with your contacts from orientation and see what is going on. You could also ask your teacher to see if you can contact someone in your POE to let them know to contact you if anything comes up!
Winter "English Camp"
I'm in a strange sort of limbo where the school is uncertain on whether or not I am to have an "English Camp" of any sort. Only nine students applied for "English Camp" so it's likely that there won't be any. However, I'm sill required to be within the vicinity of Namhae and am required to come to the school regardless of whether or not I have any classes whatsoever.
I told my co-teachers that I would be willing to take those nine students for an extra class during the winter, but the school still hasn't made any decisions yet... I don't mind staying in Namhae, though. I'm a sedentary person and I don't travel much; I only need five days vacation - two in Seoul and three in Jeju.
Winter weirdness at Fawlty Hakkyu
Winter camp plans have just been announced at my school (although the use of the words 'winter camp' on my part nearly threw a spanner in the works, as nobody knew what I was talking about and thought I was telling them I'd be going camping or something- it's like Fawlty Towers here). I'm taking winter camp for grade 3-5 (elementary) from January 11 until January 31, just after I get back from my holiday in China. I also have to take special classes throughout this period.
I pointed out that I don't want to be at the school by myself teaching 50 grade 1 & grade 2 elementarys without anyone to help discipline or in case of an accident. It hadn't occurred to anybody that I should object. But then my co-teacher volunteered to help me with those classes, without being paid. I feel bad for him. I had asked not to do the classes but that is not an option.
The whole thing is strange. Anyway if he decides not to turn up for any of those classes (I wouldn't expect that he would bunk it but I wouldn't hold it against him if he did) there will be no lesson. The kids will be watching Rogers and Hammerstein for an hour and I will be putting my feet up.
Leaving your EPIK POE over winter break
Is there is anything in your contract about not being able to leave the vicinity of Namhae when school is out of session?
Just curious...
My Blog: http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/blog/issahaiku
Contract
The contract is vague at that point. Also, the school hasn't told specifically what my situation is except that the principal has mentioned that I might have to be required to come to school (regardless of whether or not I have classes) at the same time when the other teachers are doing their winter extra-curricular duties. My co-teachers are looking into the matter, however.
I do have vacation days; I just don't know when and how long although I have specifically mentioned that I will require at least five days for vacation (two to meet with my distant-distant relations in Seoul and three for Jeju).
Having to stay in your POE over winter break
What do you mean "vague"? What exactly does it say?
I know that some of the contracts vary slightly according to POE, at least according to the EPIK Website.
My Blog: http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/blog/issahaiku
Vague wording
That's just the thing. The contract says that the employer *may* require me to serve additional hours for my POE; whether or not that also includes requiring me to stay within the vicinity of the POE is not specificed. Basically, it gives the school administration leeway on how to handle my situation.
Serving addition hours
That sounds to me like it is not in the contract because, well, it's not in there.
In my opinion, 'Serving additional hours' and 'having to stay in the immediate area' are too very different things.
My Blog: http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/blog/issahaiku
"Contracts"
Actually, a "contract" isn't viewed as being something "set in stone" in Korea as it does in the US. It does give guidelines and there are things that are indeed strictly followed, but the way things work in Korea (as I've been told by people who have worked here) is that usually, things are always negotiable whether or not they are written or officially sanctioned at all levels of the bureaucracy. Relationships are the key to handling things here.
Also, regardless of what my co-teachers tell me, I still always get the feeling that the principal doesn't really like me and/or has something against me so I'd imagine that requesting certain provisions would not get me anywhere anyway. I don't really let it get to me that much, though; my relationship with my co-teachers, students, and the other Korean teachers is much more important than some ominous figure that I see only in the span of a hiccup every week.
I could negotiate with the district officials, but I don't really have the drive to do so since I don't intend to be out of Namhae much anyway.
Well Said!
I agree completely with your attitude, and I think it is one reason why I have been able to get to go to Japan for Chuseok with no comments about having to take vacation time to leave the country as what some people experience.
I also think that playing by the local rules is the best way to go about things and, in doing so, you might just find some special privileges start to come your way over time.
Of course, it totally depends on where you are, who your principal is, and how much your POE supports their foreign teachers. Jeju is very good in this matter.
My Blog: http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/blog/issahaiku
EPIK Overtime Pay for English Camps
I was told by some EPIK teachers in Jeju that they were not paid for teaching camps over the vacation at the Foreign Language Center. There are computers at all housing for EPIK teachers in Jeju and I was informed that this was why they weren't paid extra.
I guess I'll find out soon!
My Blog: http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/blog/issahaiku
Not getting paid?
My co-teacher told me if I don't work through the winter break there is a chance I won't be paid. The principals and my co-teacher had two or three meetings about it and came up with the plan that winter camp would run for the whole vacation period. I asked to take my holiday at the start of January. Everybody is happy.
Strange that they thought I wouldn't be paid- my co-teacher even asked the supervisor from the POE right in front of me in Korean and told me the supervisor had advised to run classes for the entire vacation period. Maybe she wants to make the most of having me there. My co-teacher wasn't happy about it (as I mentioned above) because it turns out he has to be there with me and doesn't get paid for it.
No pay for no winter English camps?
Are you saying that your POE said you will not be paid your monthly salary if you do not teach any English camps over the winter break?
My Blog: http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/blog/issahaiku
Pay (lack of)
My school was concerned that would be the case, and the POE said nothing to allay their concerns.
English Camps
I just recently learned I have two camps, four days each at the beginning of January. Haven't been told anything definite how I'm to spend the rest of the winter break.
Most of my co-staffers have said I don't have to come to school, that I should relax and travel. Many have offered to take me places if they can find time off from the extra classes they have to teach.
My biggest unanswered questions have been how far can I travel during the break, and am I limited to only the 7 "promised" vacation days from the contract? I'll keep asking until I find out. Sometimes it's hard to pin down an exact answer!
Taking vacations and leaving your EPIK POE
If you want to make plans for vacation and don't want to wait till the last minute, then I would suggest asking to have your 7 work days (11 days if you count two weekends) off at a certain time. Once you establish your vacation dates they can make English camps and whatnot around your schedule. Otherwise, you may end up waiting until the last minute to find when you can go somewhere, since this is how planning usually happens in Korea -- last minute.
If you want to leave the country and use more than your 7 work days, you may decide to wait to hear from them.
My Blog: http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/blog/issahaiku
4 days
I got four days of winter "English Camp" confirmed. There are 17 applicants this year (which is quite significant, compared to the 22 that applied for the summer camp). If I had 17 each day, I'd only need to do 2 days. However, I decided to have the camp split up so I only have to deal with 8-9 students a day. It's more work for me, but I'd like to deal with smaller class sizes this time around.
I'm with a co-teacher for 1 period and then by myself for 1 period. I need to plan some group activities; I'll probably do scavenger hunts like my predecessor did since my co-teacher mentions that those tend to be easier and get them moving. The focus for the "camp" will be more on creative thinking, since they don't have much of an opportunity to work on that in formal classes. It also seems that I'm expected to teach them how to make lunch as well.
Grade Level
What grade level are you teaching again?
My Blog: http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/blog/issahaiku
Grades
I teach all three grades of middle school, but for English Camp in the winter, it will only be first and second graders. I like being with the first and second graders; the third graders either sit quietly like rocks or they simply will not pay attention at all.
Korean Students
That is the very reason why I requested elementary school. When I taught in Japan, I noticed that students were more active and vocal in class the younger they were. From what I hear, it seems like Korean students are very similar.
My Blog: http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/blog/issahaiku
Song list
Here is a list of songs I have taught in winter classes, with links.
Do Ray Me. No link.
Yellow Submarine http://music.download.com/alltogethernowbeatlesstuffforkids/3600-8173_32-100990954.html?tag=MDL_listing_song_artist
Happy Talk http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/happytalk.htm
The Lion Sleeps Tonight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyjq9RJ-_yM
Ghostbusters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8FCDLaKCtU
I am going to try Black or White tomorrow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud-Nk7e261w
Extra Pay
I checked my account today and it appears that I got somewhere between 200-300k won in extra pay for the winter English camp. :)
Winter camp evaluation
After all my concerns, I actually really enjoyed winter camp. The classes were of a much smaller size. The 50-child Grade 1/Grade 2 (Elementary) Special Class fell off to about 10 children. They learned to introduce themselves and say how old they are, which I am very happy about. The winter camp itself was a peaceful event. The kids practised role-plays and songs. There were some troublesome children as always, and I had to take a handful of kids to be sorted out by other teachers floating around the school. The main problem was excitability. Being in the company of their friends, they couldn't or wouldn't stop talking, and were ruining it for everyone else. By and large the classes went by with no problems at all.