Korean Job Discussion Forums

[heathergerstmar]

Hi there,
I am currently in Canada and plan to move to Korea within the next couple of months to teach english.

I would like to be located in a place with as little air pollution as possible and with access to hiking and other outdoor adventures. From what I have read, Gangwon'do seems like the best province regarding fresh air and outfoor activities.

I have an opportunity to work for the Gangwon-do Board of Education. Does anyone have any experience with the public school board?
I've heard that public school jobs are better than private school jobs as they often have less teaching hours and provide more holidays. THis job would start in December. I would rather go in January, but am afraid I won't find another public school job in Gangwon'do.

Should I take this opportunity? or will I find one as good as this in January? I understand that there are many job opportuntiites out there with private schools, but wonder if I should take this opportunity to work in the public system now.

Looking forward to suggestions.

Cheers,

Heather

[south pacific]

I'm in the same boat - intending to start in the first week of December in Gangwon-do, and I'm quite excited about it. I haven't signed a contract yet. I hope the OP won't mind me adding the following question to her list:

Is the EPIK salary scale set in stone or is it negotiable?

To what extent do qualifications and experience determine salary? - and what qualifications/experience equate to what salary?

Thanks all.

[schwa]

Heather: Your research on Gangwondo is correct -- good air & plenty of outdoor activities. I think the Gangwon Ministry of Education is earning a pretty good rep for how it handles its native teacher program. Of the 50 new teachers who signed on in september only one has bailed & that was due to unexpected family issues. There are over 150 in the program now & I dont have stats at hand but more recontract than not & quite a few have done so repeatedly. If you miss the december intake the next one will be late february.

south pacific: The salary scale is non-negotiable. Level placement follows the same criteria as with national epik & you can see the details here: http://epik.knue.ac.kr/sub2/sub2_3_1.asp

PM me if you want more details.

[south pacific]

schwa - thanks so much for that.

I'm told I qualify for level 1 and have been offered 2.4 including, according to the recruiter, a 100k /month provincial allowance.

However I see the EPIK website indicates I should be getting at least 2.6. Am I just being cynical or is the recruiter creaming it off the top?

Cheers

[sojourner1]

I am dead set on teaching in Gangwondo next year myself for a late February start. I am hoping to to teach at a combination of age levels at 2 or 3 different schools with a fairly low number of contact hours. This I have been thinking about and considering since May of this year as I love outdoor activities and have an ambition to experience the traditional side of Korea that offers the most cultural festivals and a natural environment with the highest mountains.

I realize it may not be as easy to get things like coffee or there may not be a Homeplus and Emart just a short ways down the street like I have in Changwon down in Gyeongsangnam province, but I am sure the larger towns have these sorts of modern westernized places.

If you are considering teaching in Gangwon, keep in mind that you are going on an adventure to submerse yourself all alone in Korean culture and probably won't have many foreigners or even English speaking foreigners around you, but it is also said to be the most friendliest part of Korea as well so it may be possible to have friends without either you or them fully speaking the others' language. I think it will be the right move for me and looking forward to it.

[pest2]

As for the original question about working in GWD, I just finished up my last day yesterday and I have to say the job was great. But let me wait to confirm that until after I've actually gotten my airticket money and severance pay!! HAHA just joking (well, sort of; I am waiting on that last pay, still...) Depending on where you go, you will have a good time.

[lowpo]

[moptop]

I teach in Gangwondo. If you sign a contract, be sure to check your pay scale carefully, and ask for it to be written on your contract. Level 1 you get 2.3 million won as a base pay, and 100,000 won as a kind of rural allowance. If you are waaaaay out in the boonies, you can get an extra 100,000 won. So the total you will usually get is 2.4. The contract wording is ambiguous, and a lot of teachers thought they would be getting 2.5. A few were upset by this.

Also, be warned you could be teaching at up to 6 different schools. This is not the norm, but it is average to teach at 2 or 3. Student levels are pretty low, and you will be putting in a lot of prep time if you work at different schools.

The air is lovely and fresh, but it's pretty boring here. Lots of foreigners, though. You can't throw a stick without hitting one!!!! I have a larger social network here than I ever did in Seoul. We have 8 Epik teachers in our small town, and there are a few hogwan teachers, as well. You probably won't be lonely if you join with EPIK. They also have a lot of sponsered events where you can meet people.

hope this helps...

[dogshed]

I just signed up again. They had me extend my contract so it will end
during a break. There's a good chance they will hire you now.

[sconner]

Which recruiter do you need to use for this province? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[refikaM]

This is my second year in Gangwondo, and yes it's quite nice but be aware that the night life is limited if that's something that's important to you. I, in addition to many of the teachers who were hired at the same time, was hired through NetKorea. Not sure if they're still doing the bulk of hiring for Gangwondo, but I know they used to be.

[pest2]