Job Discussion Forums

[kev7161]

I know, I know, this should probably be in the Korean forums, but I generally "know" people better here, so I thought I would ask. This is mainly for those that have lived and worked in Korea or maybe have close contacts they know who have been there.

In all liklihood, I will only spend one more year in Asia. My current job is swell enough and I have been told that they want to re-sign me for next year (but we all know how things like that can go). Then I started thinking about Korea where salaries can be around $2000 US or more (plus pretty much all the amenities that we get here in China). So, if I'm only staying around for another year (two? geez, I hope not!), why not go where I can make the most money, regardless of working conditions. Lord knows I could stick out even the most dismal of situations for a year if the money was okay.

So, what are some things I need to think about? Location, weather, visa, types of jobs (I mean, how do they compare with your "standard" Chinese teaching job?), amenities, etc.

Is there anyone who's experienced both worlds that would care to share their opinions and advice (both good and bad please), I would appreciate it. Remember, this would not be a long-term stay, but only for about a year. Also, what about their holidays and school terms? What could I expect for time off? I would say to PM me, but surely there are others out there that have similar thoughts, yes?

[saint57]

[Noelle]

I worked in China last year. Now I am in Korea and I am nine months into my year contract.

Korea is not better or worse but the money definitely makes a difference to most of the teachers here. I preferred the type of schedule and students I had in China but I worked with all ages... kindy through to adult.
I worked a lot LESS in China. This depends again on where you are.... in Korea, university teachers make great salaries and work so little that their entire contract can sometimes be one big holiday. Those jobs usually require a masters and/or some lengthy amount of TEFL experience abroad.

As far as good locations in Korea go... Korea is noticably cleaner than China. That was my first perk when I arrived here. Chun cheon... in Kangwon province (I think) is supposed to be an excellent city. The larger the city... the more pollution obviously... and the more comfortable the lifestyle.
I will say this about Korea... this peninsula is crawling with U.S. military and that can sometimes be a bit of a pain... getting lumped in with the military is not that flattering.

I miss China alot... how cheap everything was... the colorful cities... I really think teaching in China was more exciting, for me anyway.

It's true, Korea is where the money is. The lowest paid teacher I've met here makes just under 2,000 U.S. per month and you are supplied housing and airfare just like China. The medical care is here has also been quite good for me.

If you do decide to come to Korea... you will have to go through this sealed transcript and degree thing... a bit of a pain. Also, make sure you collect references on any school you consider working for ... everyone and their brother owns an English school here. I highly recommend Footprints Recruiting in Vancouver. They will screen the schools for you and they stay with you throughout the contract.

Good luck!

[sojourner]

duplicate post

What's happened to the "delete post" facility ?

[sojourner]

Hi Saint57,

Like the OP, I'm also toying with the idea of heading off to ROK in the not-too-distant future. (Am also interested in Malaysia - where, I believe, you are heading to, soon).

Re Sth Korea, I would only be interested in working in the uni/college sector. After hearing all the "horror stories", I am somewhat reluctant to teach in the hagwan sector. Anyway, on the subject of hagwans, I'm intrigued by your comment regarding the difficulty of teaching Korean students - in which ways are they more difficult to teach than Chinese kids ? Discipline problems, or what ?

Peter

- - - - -

Hi Noelle,

Does the "Footprints" organisation deal with recruitment for the uni/college sector, or are they concerned mainly with the hagwan sector ?


Peter

[saint57]

[Noelle]

To answer the question above,

Footprints seems to mainly recruit for hogwons, public schools and English Village. I don't recall seeing any uni jobs advertised but you can contact them directly and find out for yourself.

The point is that they are very reputable and they stick by you throughout the process and the contract in the Korea.

good luck!

[ajgeddes]

In Korea, you won't get a job at a university unless either you have superior qualifications, or you have a lot of experience in Korea. Trust me, these jobs are highly sought after, so you won't get one unless you are an outstanding candidate.

You should also know that many uni jobs are being 'hagwonized'. Many people now use the term 'unigwon'.

Most people in Korea are here for the money (I am in Korea). If the money was as good somewhere else, they would go elsewhere. The teaching isn't too bad, but it can be a royal pain in the ass because you will probably be teaching a lot more hours. Most hagwon gigs will have you teaching at least 7 classes per day, with no break.

Korea is not a bad place, but the weather is crap: too hot in the summer, freezing in the winter, rainy spring, and fall is nice for 2 months. It isn't the worst weather in the world, but it isn't good.

The holidays for most Korean jobs sucks. I am lucky, but I am the exception. Also, you will be blamed for every little problem where you work. If 10 new students enrol at your hagwon it's because of the good management, but if 1 kid leaves, it's because of your terrible teaching.

The US military here really plays such a small role. Unless you live right near a base, most people will know you are an English teacher.

Where to live in Korea? I think the suburbs of Seoul are the best. You are still on the subway line, but not in the crappy, dirty city. Anyways, that's it for now.

[Tiger Beer]

Everyone's opinions and experiences in Korea is going to differ.

I teach at one of those universities right now in Seoul.. I teach 12 hours a week and get 22 weeks of paid-vacation per year. (Just two 15-week semesters). I also live in a 3-bedroom apartment by myself in Seoul.

Previous contract was in Shinchon ( another university area within Seoul - there are many) at an adult institute.. had one-month vacation where I was paid 1/2 the salary.. and I had my own 2-bedroom apartment for the year.

Another contract was an internet company.. just taught english online for 6 hours an evening monday through friday. easy job in seoul.. and had my own studio apartment.

all 3 of which were in seoul.. all 3 i had my own housing by myself in good housing situations. the first time in Korea i signed a sight-unseen contract and ended up living in an undesireable part of Busan in an apartment with 3 other teachers in a 4-bedroom with a triple-split schedule.

The moral of the lesson.. there are TONS and TONS and TONS of jobs in Korea.. but since the first one.. I usually go around and look at the location of the workplace, look at the workplace itself, and look at the apartment attached.. and bang bang bang.. win win win. If you just sign sight-unseen.. there is a high chance that 3 out of 3 won't come through for you.

[Trumpcard]

Hi Tiger Beer, what university are you currently teaching at? I'm in Japan but long time considering a stint in Korea before heading over to China