Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TECO]

I've been working in EFL for several years now and one thing that I look for in a potentially good emloyer is low teacher turn-over.

To me that's a sign that the school management is fair to its instructors and that the teachers most likely get along well with each other.

I was interested in pursuing a position at this school. However, I've noticed that it has posted about 5 or 6 teaching positions within the last 3 or 4 months on not only this site but a couple of other sites.

I'm wondering if it's a good or bad situation there?

[Carldaddy]

Yes, you found the fine print in this ad. Shared accomodation at Unis or anywhere for that matter is one of the least attractive things about any job (for many people). Also look at the hours, pay and odd vacation schedule here, not to mention the clause about no severence and the early morning/late evening classes (read: split shifts) A number of red flags here. You're on the right track by finding the first one.

[TECO]

Yonsei University:

[rudyflyer]

the Wonju position is crap. Look at the hours and the pay. Plus Wonju is out in the sticks.

They've also had a ton of turnover there over the past several years. Also heard some stories about the foreign teacher coordinator being a bit of a wack job.

If anybody interviews with them, I'd like to hear their take on it

[Carldaddy]

Rudyflyer has this deal nailed.

On the severence.

What this means is that they're sucking it out of the salary. Yes it is required by Korean law but they are simply playing with numbers to make the salary look higher. See it. It's around 2m per month and 2 hours more than they offered a year ago.

Turnover here is around 30% per semester! (30 teachers)

Whackjob? Charitable Rudy. Charitable.

[gajackson1]

Ok, granted - I didn't work there.

I can tell you Sprite, a former poster here, did and liked the job a lot.

Christina & I went out to look over the town/campus for a long weekend. Campus is small & beautiful, and the town seemed ok. (A little lacking in the nightlife department, but it was a holiday weekend). Also, for better or worse, (most likely a little of both), Won-ju is a base town - make of that what you will.

Steroidmaximus says there IS a vibrant little nightlife scene there, and it is not too far from either Seoul or Osan for a getaway.

But again, go with those who actually live/work there or therabouts.

Regards,

Glen

[LiquidSunshine]

i lived in wonju for a year and a half. it was good. met my wife there. had a good group of friends there, too... but, they've all moved on by now. it is an army town though. so...it is what it is. sometimes good, sometimes bad. it all depends on who you meet, i guess. the nightlife was always going. same as seoul just without the choices. i went to the same bars every weekend. it got boring after a year but it was great as a first experience in korea. note that the yonsei campus is like a half hour bus ride to town. i heard that alot of the teachers would just stay on campus. if you want some more info. on the town you can pm me.

there were two downtown areas with two main streets, that's it. sometimes that's all you need.

[TECO]

The person who made these comments re Yonsei University - Wonju Positions asked not to be identified. Heres what s/he had to say:

[Carldaddy]

Just a note to update on the "still available" Yonsei Wonju positions. Note the ad today and you'll see that the contract has been scaled back from a two year deal to one year, and the teaching hours are now down from 23 hrs per week to 20. If they can solve that nasty "shared housing" situation, they might start to attract people to the position. Which has now been posted nearly six times over the last few months.

[TECO]

Yes.

I really hope the supervisors at Yonsei reads this board.

Shared-housing is NOT acceptable.

Unvirsity instructors and any teachers working elsewhere deserve their own private apartments.

NO SHARED HOUSING!!!

[Occidental-Tourist]

This thread has just been ressurected so I thought I would give you my take on the situation.

I work at Yonsei Wonju, been here 2 years and have just signed for a third. Things out here in the sticks aint too shabby. We are aout an hour and a half away from Seoul on the bus/train so not too remote. Nice clean environment, no pollution, lots of outdoor activities possible. Just got a new sportscentre with pool and good gym.

Turnover here maybe runs at less than 25% per anum, most people who leave after their first year do so because they find it a bit too quiet and long for the bright lights of the big city.

The job itself is probably no better or worse than many others in Korea, the hours next semester are 20 per week. Any less would certainly make me go crazy, too much time on my hands is not good for me. 12 weeks vacation, 4, 4, 2, 2 is the breakdown. We teach an extra month in summer/winter outside of university term time. Light workload in this period, about 12-14 hours a week.

Not all accomodation is shared, singles are available and I think a higher percentage of singles are available next semester.

We of course have issues with the administration - but who doesn't? Like most places if you keep your head beneath the parrapet you don't get it shot off. Just pay lipservice and get on with things the way you see fit.

I have no axe to grind here, I like the job. I am sure there are both better and worse jobs out there. Carldaddy in paticular gives the place a shellacking, but if I am correct in thinking who I think he is, he got fired from the job here and would therefore be less than impartial when it comes to giving an opinion.

[Carldaddy]

Dear Occidental;

I don't know who you are, or who you think I am, but your statement following is absolutely untrue:

"Carldaddy in paticular gives the place a shellacking, but if I am correct in thinking who I think he is, he got fired from the job here and would therefore be less than impartial when it comes to giving an opinion."

I suggest you retract and keep my opinions as they are. Opinions.

What is important here is trying to keep schools on an even keel regarding salaries and benefits. This school has made an example of itself by posting the same headline over many months with changing conditions. And it should make us wonder. Early attempts at a two year deal with 23 hours a week may have been an attempt to undercut the current staff with new hires. Not good for anyone, including yourself. Happily, that deal does not seem to be selling.

This year, the average Korean worker will recieve a 10% raise. Most Univesities will offer the expat teacher W100,000 per month. About 5%. Minus inflation at 3.5% that's a 1 1/2% raise. And more and more Universities are pushing to extend contracts and raise agreements to two years, thus effectively cutting increases in half, everytime they can push it through. It is in all our best interests to bring these situations to light and try our best to be compensated appropriately.

This is a forum for sharing information and in that course our opinions may swing left and right. It is, as always, up to the reader to decide what will be true for them.

[Occidental-Tourist]

[BTM]

[The Bobster]