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Snowkr
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
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 Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:55 pm Post subject: SMOE offered me 2.5 mil to start, but... |
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I was really impressed by this offer considering I've never worked for them before but there is a bit of a drawback.
I was previously offered 2.3 million from a school in a less desirable area in Gyeongi but I've had the chance to speak directly to the school and will be working directly through them instead of the GMOE. I really like the co-teacher I spoke to and I think I will like the area... more out in the country... plus the accomodation seems nice as per the contract.
Now that SMOE has offered me 2.5 million to start, I'm wondering if they're just desperate or if I should really be flattered?
I do have TESOL certification plus 2 and half years of teaching experience, one in Korea, and I will receive my masters in TESOL this December. I am adamant about working in a HIGH SCHOOL ONLY and on my first contract, the high school is actually listed...
On the SMOE contract, there is no school listed even though the woman who interviewed me assured me I would be placed in a high school.
And so here I am... trying to figure out if the money and the comforts of being in Seoul are really worth the risk of signing a contract that is so ambiguous. What's to stop the SMOE from putting me in an elementary or middle school after I arrive? Once they have my signature on that contract... there is nothing I can do.
My entire practicum and thesis are focused on Korean high school students preparing for university. I can't be put in a middle or primary school. Is it worth the risk just for 200,000 won extra?
I'd love some feedback here... especially from those who have worked with SMOE. What would you do??? |
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sadsac
Joined: 22 Dec 2003
Location: Gwangwang
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| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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Unless they guarantee it in writing you may not get a high school. Go with the lower pay and better living conditions. Maybe isn't worth 200,000 won extra.  |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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I am adamant about working in a HIGH SCHOOL ONLY and on my first contract, the high school is actually listed...
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Why? |
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laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
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| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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| wylies99 wrote: |
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I am adamant about working in a HIGH SCHOOL ONLY and on my first contract, the high school is actually listed...
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Why? |
Curiosity killed the cat |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:49 am Post subject: |
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I work for SMOE and have worked with the people hiring on a very professional and personal level. I have no doubt that their assurances are just that - assurances. It is not a big deal and they do in many ways, try to give teachers what they are looking for and set them up for success.
So to you, all I can say is that from my perspective, the hiring staff, if they say this, will do this. If you want it in writing - you won't get it. This is Korea and just something you have to adjust to. They make decisions very quickly and they can't give such assurances. But I'm sure they are more than open to discussion.
PM if you want and I can provide more thorough information.
I wouldn't categorize the organization as "desperate". They want to hire good people, if that is desperation, well it is good desperation.
DD |
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Pak Yu Man
Joined: 02 Jun 2005
Location: The Ida galaxy
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 4:26 am Post subject: |
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| They're probably giving you 200k extra cause you want to work in a high school (yuck) and will live in a rural area. |
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Snowkr
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 4:49 am Post subject: |
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Why work in a high school?
Why not?
I would ask the same of anyone who wants to work in an elementary school. I'm so over little kids...they're precious... but after 12 months...?
As I stated in my original post, my masters practicum is going to be concentrated on high school students doing testing for university in Korea.
Everything about this contract looks better than the one I was about to sign.
I just have this really bad feeling about signing something that does not specify a workplace and states that I must work in whichever location or locations they choose for me. If I take this job, I may regret it for the entire year. If I don't take it, I may spend the year wondering if I made a mistake and could have done better. |
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Jizzo T. Clown
Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Location: at my wit's end
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 7:01 am Post subject: |
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| Better make sure it's an academic high school for college-bound students. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:08 am Post subject: |
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I have yet to hear about SMOE placing people in high school. As far as I know, they only hire for elementary and middle school. Maybe things are changing. Did you interview with SMOE or a recruiter?
Deubel knows a lot, I'm surprised he didn't talk about his.
You are being offered more than people with the same qualifications. Something is strange here, but who knows, it may work out for you. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
I have yet to hear about SMOE placing people in high school. As far as I know, they only hire for elementary and middle school. Maybe things are changing. Did you interview with SMOE or a recruiter?
Deubel knows a lot, I'm surprised he didn't talk about his.
You are being offered more than people with the same qualifications. Something is strange here, but who knows, it may work out for you. |
That's just what I was thinking. I don't know of anyone who works for SMOE and is based at a high school. If you're really keen on doing specific research, I'd try to get hired through one individual school after you've talked to staff at that particular school. And, as I think I mentioned before, don't be surprised if they're absolutely clueless in aiding you with any research.
Getting the right kind of school - and one that really wants to use a FT effectively - is worth W200,000 less, and at many schools where good FTs are valued it's possible to get a bit extra from various gravy trains in any event. |
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T-dot
Joined: 16 May 2004
Location: bundang
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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I dont think Smoe has High School positions.
An academic HS is the better choice. If your curriculum is already planned for it, why change over 200 bucks?
I get so much time off its absurd. Love the HS I work at. |
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FistFace
Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Location: Peekaboo! I can see you! And I know what you do!
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| Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:13 am Post subject: |
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| wylies99 wrote: |
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I am adamant about working in a HIGH SCHOOL ONLY and on my first contract, the high school is actually listed...
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Why? |
High school jobs rock, and are the best jobs in Korea, IMHO. Especially if you are working on an MA.
Sure... you may get 4 to 5 months of vacation at a university, but only at a high school will much of that vacation time be during cheap flying periods thoughout the year.
High schools often have extra vacation built-in that's not part of the contract. If you can, however, do it entirely without SMOE. They're a royal pain in the keester. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 9:00 am Post subject: |
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| FistFace wrote: |
| wylies99 wrote: |
| Quote: |
I am adamant about working in a HIGH SCHOOL ONLY and on my first contract, the high school is actually listed...
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Why? |
High school jobs rock, and are the best jobs in Korea, IMHO. Especially if you are working on an MA.
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I know many people who WON'T teach high school because HS kids don't care one bit about speaking English. They need to read and write it to get into a uni, not speak it. Teaching to people who don't care and are going thru puberty thinking they are better than you and don't need you isn't fun. |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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I have yet to hear about SMOE placing people in high school. As far as I know, they only hire for elementary and middle school. Maybe things are changing. Did you interview with SMOE or a recruiter?
Deubel knows a lot, I'm surprised he didn't talk about his.
You are being offered more than people with the same qualifications. Something is strange here, but who knows, it may work out for you. |
I guess I should have mentioned something but it didn't even dawn on me because the situation with the OP is perfectly legit and SMOE can place a teacher wherever suitable, elementary, middle school or high school.
They are the final arbitrator but do so in consultation with all schools.
That said, high schools have a considerable degree of autonomy and as yet, high schools are not under the umbrella of ETIS (English Teachers in Seoul). It is this organization we should be talking about when discussing foreign teacher placement in schools in Seoul and not SMOE which is a large and very multifarious organization with even offices and associations abroad.
ETIS is a newish program and now places/hires foreign teachers for elementary and middle schools. They will be doing the same eventually for H.S.s but H.S. traditionally have had more autonomy in the Korean system and this will take time. Also the priority was for the youngsters (rightly so) and so seed a good teaching culture there. Note how many H.S.s now are changing their organization and even foreign teachers will eventually be under an SMOE contract.
I train H.S. teachers and they are constantly looking for foreign teachers. But as Bbbb pointed out.
| Quote: |
| I know many people who WON'T teach high school because HS kids don't care one bit about speaking English. They need to read and write it to get into a uni, not speak it. Teaching to people who don't care and are going thru puberty thinking they are better than you and don't need you isn't fun. |
This culture of a "test driven" curriculum is so destructive. In today's economy, students will rely less and less on text based communication (letters, books, manuals, emails) and more on voice and actual communication/social skills. They are being trained for the wrong century. This has to dramatically change or Korea will continue to be in the dark ages of English language proficiency. Hopefully the youngsters coming up, with earlier access to communicative lessons / speaking - will change this.
But his point is taken. If you are going to teach in a H.S. be aware that it is can be (I am speaking very broadly here) very structured and more listening/test based - with the teacher having less creative control/input.
But on the other hand, your colleagues/coteachers will probably have a better command of English which will greatly help you to settle in and enjoy your experience there. H.S.s are high on the pecking order and teachers there are generally better qualified teachers and with better language skills (which is frustrating, these great English speakers should be in the elementary system making an impact where it most counts!)
DD |
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bluzusi
Joined: 29 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Hi Snowkr. I am new to this site and have not taught in Korea so my advice may not be worth a lot. Certainly, ddeubel has a good deal of knowledge in this area and you might wish to pm him. Based upon what I've learned on this site, thus far, I think you'd be better off taking the contract that identifies the high school you'd be working in. Best of luck. I'm sure you'll have a great experience. |
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