Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bingo]

Does anyone have any information on elementary schools in 'Gangnam district?' I find it impossible to do a search on Dave's using more than one word, so I had no luck doing a search. Any information would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[xCustomx]

I know they pay one of the highest salaries in Korea for public schools (2.5-2.9) and offer about 4 weeks of vacation a year. You will be required to teach 25 hours a week though, which is higher than the 22 GEPIK, SMOE and EPIK require. Positions there in the past were hard to come by, which may be a sign of good working conditions

[philipjames]

I heard that the foreign teachers don't receive their own classroom. That's a serious negative in my opinion.

[Sody]

If the foreign teachers don't get their own classroom where are they suppose to teach? Not insulting the program, I'm just curious.

I don't know about Gangnam other than there are lots of prostitutes around that area, but I heard that if you want to do a search on Dave's forum you should do a search on google. You will get better results.

Sody

[pkang0202]

[Jizzo T. Clown]

A good way to search is:

"your search words"site:www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea

I've found, though, that this doesn't work 100% of the time, but is still better than the search function on Dave's.

edit: fwiw, the search didn't bring up anything, so hoefully some good info will be posted here!

[christinajou]

well, i work in one of the schools in gangnam district, and yes, i do not have my own classroom. however, that depends on the school you are in. my school just don't have enough classrooms for everyone, so i go to their classrooms and teach them. it would be lot nicer to have my own room, but it's not too bad. some teachers have their own rooms if the school has extra rooms.

i have been at my school since march and so far, i am loving it. the program is pretty well set-up that the teachers get together once a month for a workshop to discuss lesson ideas and etc. we are encouraged to stick to the national curriculum, but have the freedom to do choose the method. i play games, sing songs, do mini-skits, etc...i think the job isn't that demanding if you like young kids. i come up with three-four major lesson plans per week and teach all 4-6th classes once a week.

that's how it is at my school....teaching conditions differ from school to school, but we all receive the same benefits. pay depends on your experience and qualifications. we get two weeks off in the summer and two in the winter, but that's negotiable with your school. (of course with a pay-cut).

i don't know if this helped, but just wanted to clear a few things up for those who are curious.

[Bingo]

Christinajou, thank you for he information. Also, what is their policy re. flight money if you are hired wuthin Korea? And, since Gangnam is affluent, do you find that you are offered a fair amount of private teaching?

Thanks.
David Bing

[philipjames]

There's also the fact that, unless I'm wrong, the F/T has to teach the full 40 minute class. With GEPIK at least the kT takes half the burden of teaching the class. Also in Gangnam you are likely to receive only a 'one room' apt.

I know the pay is higher than usual, starting at around 2.6.

[xCustomx]

[ceesgetdegrees]

Gangnam public elementary schools would be a breeze to teach at. I'm out in a rural area teaching the kids myself, the home room teachers are useless so i told them to stay in their rooms and take a break during english time. Gangnam kids english levels would be far superior to my current kids and thus make teaching a lot easier/enjoyable/less hair pullyouty. The positions do seem quite hard to come by though.

[christinajou]

my pay is 2.6 (majored in English lit and have a secondary teaching certificate with five years of teaching experience).
and if you are hired within korea, they give you a 700.000 won reimbursement at the end of your contract. (like the price of half of your ticket to home and back)
as for housing, i am getting an allowance of 350.000 (they just increased it to 500.000) which isn't enough to get a decent room in gangnam area. ( i live in gwanjin-gu, across the river) you can get an officetel/oneroon instead, but i don't know what they are like, since i have never seen the ones they offer.
the students' levels vary....which is a bit hard. i have some students who have lived abroad and are fluent, while i have some who don't even know the basics. teaching and appealing to all the students is hard. i try to meet the middle groud, but i always get students who either have confused looks on their faces or those with looks of boredom. this is my biggest concern as a teacher.
as for private teaching...i haven't had any offers for privates. currently i am not doing any outside work. under contract we're not supposed to do any outside work and i am just happy with what i have now.
there was a job post on daves esl just last week for the upcoming semester, i think. if you are interested, go for an interview.

[christinajou]

one more thing, yes...we do have to teach the 40 minute classes. well, currently i teach 22 classes each week. all 40 minutes with no co-teachers. other schools might have co-teaching.

[ceesgetdegrees]

Co teaching sux and is little more than a dog and pony show come open class time when the Gepik head honcho's come out to check on their charges. A well prepared, confident, capable teacher should be able to control and teach a class of gangnam kids without to many hassles.

[Sody]