Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jackson7]

So I'm half way into my second contract with a school that treats me great. I have a ton of extra-currics in the area that help supplement my income, which helped me in my decision to stay here.

I received a healthy raise, and because I do a good job teaching, as well as getting along very well with my co-workers, my director is already trying to negotiate with me about when/if I will sign another contract. My last raise was 300,000 per month, as well as asking for a really nice apartment, which they happily found with me and pay for.

If I sign with this school AGAIN, to keep my privates, my friends in the area, and my life (girls, tae kwon do, etc.), I expect I will get another 200-300,000 per month raise.

My question is, how long can I expect to keep getting a raise? A 7-10% increase in pay seems pretty substantial, and my workload hasn't increased, but my happiness and bank account have. The grass certainly doesn't seem greener, but TO THE LIFERS OUT THERE: can we reasonably make a "life career" out of teaching ESL in Korea?

In my life, I'm either teaching here or back in the States...

[Atavistic]

This time ask your boss to not give you an STD through the girl you're sleeping with.

[garykasparov]

Is your director paying income tax, pension and medical?

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

I've seen 3.0 for a top HS and about 2.8-2.9 for hagwons.Apparently up to 4.0(?) for a top University situation,though that must be somewhat cut-throat.

If you're making money for your boss,I don't know what would be a kind of salary cap-3.0??I wouldn't think you could go beyond that moneywise,but further tangibles should be on the board-ie housing,holiday.

Work your arse off(in practise,just keep students on the books),keep him happy and get a fairer return

[boyne11]

You must have started at 1.6.

If not, congrats.

[xtchr]

Wow. I'm sorry, can you please repeat the question, I'm not comprehending. Your boss gave you a raise, and you have a great apartment, good co-workers, and everything is hunkydory, in Korea?
Unfathomable.

[boyne11]

And moving up from goshiwon to 3 pyong single is a good thing too.

[jackson7]

To the poster who said "giving an STD through his ex..." hehe

She's his girlfriend again now hahahahaha! No skin off my...um....nothing antiobiotics couldn't take care of. But he gave it to his wife, and she's now divorcing him and taking the kids, so I think I'm off not too bad.

Anyway, I started at 2, but moved to 2.2 and now 2.3 before the year was out. I was just wondering when it was time to move on or look for better credentials to increase my earning power.

Update:
I was just today offered 2.5 today, and we are negotiating for a third year management position (to be signed simultaneously) for 3+ for managing the foreign teachers at 3 campuses.

I don't mean to sound like an ass, but people seem to ALWAYS post the utopia jobs here, and I am wondering how often they are realized.

[jackson7]

Yeah, he's paying pension, medical, and income tax. I've checked them all for myself and my foreign teachers. All is good.

I'm definitely a lifer. How do I make the best of this situation...stay and milk it? Become more qualified (already have TEFL cert and experience as two years as head ass-hole).

What is the next step?

Yeah, yeah...I'm wearing a condom these days too...and not dipping my pen in the company ink hehe

[marlow]

5% per year is not unreasonable once you are at a fairly decent pay level anyway.

[Juregen]