Job Discussion Forums

[Nikkimo]

Hello!

I am a newbie preparing to embark on my first stint teaching abroad. I have been offered 2 jobs - one in Thailand and one Korea -- and need some advice from those of you who have worked in either place. I have never been to either country, and this is going to be a life changing decision for me -- I have to make it very soon!

Job Offer 1
Kangnam-Ku, Seoul, South Korea -- Very wealthy district of the city
Well established, very professional Hogwan catering to upper class students.
One year contract
Teaching ESL and writing
VERY good compensation - 2.6 million won, airfare, apartment, etc.
LONG hours during certain months, but with great overtime pay, all clearly stated in contract.
-->I have a good friend living there who can show me the ropes.

Job Offer 2
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Modestly funded international school, lacking in supplies, questionable financial stability.
Teaching social studies at secondary level (I am certificated for this in California)
2 year contract
41,000 - 43,000 baht, airfare, no housing.
Don't know hours yet.
-->I will not know anyone there when I go.

At first glance, the job in Korea is the clear winner because the school is better funded and offers awesome pay. BUT I am so drawn to the idea of living in Thailand, and from everything I have read, it is a fantastic place to live; much more relaxed and friendly than Korea.

I have the luxury of saying that money is NOT a first priority. More is always nice, and idea of saving a lot of money in Korea really appeals to me. But it is also important to me to be in a place that I am happy in. I am a very flexible person, could take or leave modern "convinences," and, in the end, think I would be more comfortable with the relaxed lifestyle of Thailand that the modern, high stress, commercial oriented lifestyle of Seoul.

So there it is....I would appreciate any thought or advice from those of you who have worked in either of these places, or simply have so insights to offer me.

Thanks!

[tedkarma]

If you are a certified secondary education instructor in California with at least a couple years experience under your belt - AND you want to see and experience the world for a bit or a lot - then I would suggest taking neither of the offered jobs.

Stop for a moment and go and do some research about ISS and TIE and a couple other organizations that will get you into "real" international schools that will pay you almost what you earn at home. ONce on that circuit and can go almost anywhere.

Please don't sacrifice your experience and education on a Korean hogwan - without thinking also about your other options - and your future. A couple years experience in a Korea hogwan will only see your teacher certification expire - and lead no where career wise.

I don't mean to speak too strongly - but I think you might find some MUCH better offers out there in terms of career experience, wages, and future options.

[oxfordstu]

I'm a certified teacher from California as well, but in English. I'm just finishing my year up here in Korea (11 more days!), and let me tell you, do not teach at a hogwan here. It's been a very frustrating experience for me. Because I'm a real teacher, I've always followed the belief that any good school will put the education of its students first before anything else. Every hogwan in Korea puts money first. Education is in there somewhere, but I'm still not sure where. This is probably what has frustrated me the most about living in Korea. That, and always being taken advantage of, students constantly being added, oversized classes, and ZERO communication. I've saved a lot of money here, but at what cost? I'm out of here in a few weeks and going straight to Thailand after a short stop in California.

Go to Thailand. And the job offer you have in Chiang Mai doesn't sound like a real international school - the pay is much too low I think. I've tried breaking into the International School scene, but most teachers at those schools seem to have at least a masters degree and 3 years of contract teaching in the U.S. --- Minimum. So I've kind of given up on that and will probably go to a public school somewhere.

But go to Thailand. Seriously. Everything is so much better there -- the food, the people, the relaxed lifestyle, the scenery, the weather. In Korea I'm living in an apartment complex around what looks like a bombed out neighborhood. I walk to work and the stench of fishmongers fills the air. 4 1/2 months of winter, another 4 months of humid summer.

Go to Thailand.

[tedkarma]

ditto above.

Still TRY the int'l school circuit - we don't know your experience and qualifications record. If not up to snuff - and money doesn't matter - the Chiang Mai job might be just fine. The money is decent for CM. Cost of living is quite low there

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hello Nikkimo:

I taught in Korea for a year at a hagwon (SLP Chonju) and put US $10,000 in the bank.

I enjoyed Korea totally, but teaching kids at a hagwon 6 days a week is (was) hard work.

2.6 million Won is great, by the way, but you'll earn it.

The offer in Chiang Mai is also quite good, so it's a tough call.

If I were in your shoes, I'd probably 'do a year in Korea' -

save a nice pile of money, gain some valuable teaching experience

and then come to Thailand next year and 'enjoy the life'.

In plain English, you'll make a lot more money in Korea,

but you'll have more fun (and less stress) in Thailand,

if that makes any sense?

[Tiger Beer]

If money isn't a problem, then Thailand is the better option.

I live in Korea, and like it enough, but $ is an underlining issue. Plus I really like my current job, which is part of the problem of getting established somewhere. You just end up getting better and better jobs wherever you are at.

For that reason, better to go to Thailand.. and building groundwork and connections there makes more sense if you are particularly interested in being there anyways.

Later if $ becomes an issue, you can do that time in Korea at that time, meanwhile you've already established roots and connections in Thailand for the future. (The jobs in Korea are ALWAYS there - the Gangnam one posted is almost a carbon-copy of 100 identical korean job offer postings at the end of each month in Korea ).

[Nikkimo]

[Henry_Cowell]

With some of the money you'll be making in Korea, take a couple of short holidays to Thailand. Chiang Mai is indeed a wonderful town and provides an entirely different experience from what you'll find in Bangkok.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hi Nikkimo:


I think you're making the right move.

Thailand is so much nicer when you've got a financial cushion.

The teaching experience gained in Korea will also look very good on your CV.

Take Henry's excellent advice and pop over to Thailand on holiday.


Have fun!

[VanIslander]

[oxfordstu]

Agree with the research bit - you must do your research. I actually did a lot of research before I accepted the position I'm at now. I talked to other foreign teachers who worked at the school and they told me that it was a great place to work. And they were right. For the first 6 months, I loved my job. But good hagwons can go bad. And about 6 months ago my director started to get greedy and began to oversize classes (14-15 now), and at one point I was teaching 36 hours a week. She also did other things that I won't bore you with - they are all standard bad hagwon stories - communication problems, being lied to, etc.

So you never know. Good hagwons can go bad, and bad hagwons can go out of business. Just do as much research as you can, and NEVER accept a position without talking to other teachers there first.

[Koryo1]

[Henry_Cowell]

[Koryo1]

[Tiger Beer]