Korean Job Discussion Forums

[joe tetrick]

I tried to do search for old threads on this but the engine just stalled. So, this looks a little strange, but something about the scope of it implies stability as far as paychecks etc. Does anyone have any experience with these yet?
Thanks,
Joe T.

[Tony_Balony]

EV in Paju is a rough ride, go for the experience. Everything bad that can happen will happen X 3. Bring a helmet.

[joe tetrick]

I was wondering if you can elaborate. That is the offer that i have gotten, and it will be my first esl experience. Housing, food, etc.? If you could give me some pros and cons I'd appreciate it. On the one hand you seemed to say go, b ut then the rest was a little ominous...
Thanks
Joe T.

[ttompatz]

[Tony_Balony]

They seem to pay on time, the hours shift and expand, the work is dull - I think you have to pretend to be a bank teller all day things like that. The housing is odd, I think you'll live in dorms. You'll get to meet Eastern Europeans who are there to be seen and not heard. Paju is dull but you can escape easily on the train in Seoul in one hour.

I'd avoid the offer if you are looking for a serious suggestion from me.

[garykasparov]

Ask these questions to foreign teachers, not the employer, at the school. If possible speak to three current foreign teachers and one former employee. So, don't be afraid to ask them.

Questions to ask foreign teachers at the school

Schedule

-What are your daily working hours?
-How many classes do you teach per day and how long are they?
-How many hours of preparation are required per day?
-How many kids do you teach per class?
-How long is your break?

Wages

-Does your employer always pay you on time?
-Are overtime wages paid on a daily basis or weekly basis?
-Does your employer provide you with a "pay receipt" clearly stating taxes, wage and all deductions?
-Does your employer pay you in cash or deposit your wages into your bank account?

Housing

-Was your apartment clean and everything in working order when you moved in?
-Has your employer searched your apartment or broken into it when you were not present?
-Are the bills in your employer's name or your name?

Paid Annual Leave

-How many days of paid vacation are you allowed to take at once?
-Are there months you can and cannot take paid vacation?

Paid Sick Leave

-Have you ever asked for a day of paid sick leave?
-(If yes) How did your employer react?
-Did you have to work work another day to make up for the time you didn't work due to illness?

Airfare

-Does your employer provide employees their plane tickets at the end of their contracts?


Health Insurance

-Has your employer provided you with a medical insurance card?
-Does your employer respect your medical privacy?

Korean National Pension Plan

-Does your employer pay into the Korean National Pension Plan?

Income Taxes

-Does your employer deduct the correct amount for income taxes from your monthly salary?

Severance Pay

-Does your employer pay employees their severance pay at the end of their contracts?

Employees/Financial

-What are the English speaking abilities of Korean Teachers and director like?
-Is there a high turnover rate amongst the Korean and foreign teachers?
-Is the director abusive towards the students or staff?
-Is the school in financial trouble?
-Has the employer ever fired an employee for the sole purpose of not providing severance pay, wages or an airplane ticket home?

Location

-Is there a bank, train station, subway station and bus terminal near the school?



Government Websites

National Tax Service
( http://www.nta.go.kr/eng/default.html )
National Pension Service
( http://www.nps.or.kr/ )
National Health Insurance Corporation
( http://www.nhic.or.kr/english/about/sub03/sub0302/eng_about_major_02.html )
Ministry of Labor
( http://www.molab.go.kr/ )
Ministry of Justice
( http://www.moj.go.kr/HP/MOJ03/index.do )
Korean Immigration Service
( http://www.immigration.go.kr/indeximmeng.html )
Ministry of Eduction
( http://www.moe.go.kr/ )
Korean Supreme Court
( http://www.scourt.go.kr/scourt_en/index.html )

Embassies

Canadian Embassy
( http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/korea/findus-en.asp )
American Embassy
( http://seoul.usembassy.gov/contact.html )
British Embassy
( www.britishembassy.gov.uk/southkorea )
Australian Embassy
( http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/countries/kr.html )
South African Embassy
( http://www.southafrica-embassy.or.kr/eng/embassy/contact.php )
New Zeland Embassy
( http://www.nzembassy.com/contact.cfm?CFID=10943277&CFTOKEN=58716092&l=39&c=8 )
Irish Embassy
( http://www.irelandhouse-korea.com/ )

Seoul Subway Map
( http://english.tour2korea.com/01TripPlanner/Transportation/subway_main.asp?kosm=m1_4&konum=4 )

[joe tetrick]

Thanks everyone. It sounds like trouble unless you are looking for something totally surreal.
Joe T.

[garykasparov]

[cruisemonkey]

[joe tetrick]

again thanks, and thanks to kasparov for the pertinent questions list. i think i'll copy that for any future contact with teachers are prospective schools.
Joe T.

[PRagic]

Biggest joke job on the penninsula. Even hakwons rate higher, which should tell you something!

[GerryTulip]

I saw a video of a 'teacher' in one of these english villages. She was working in a faux mcdonalds (looked pretty lifelike and realistic) and all she did was give seven year old kids a plastic burger when they asked for one. Imagine an eight hour 'shift' in the fake mcdonalds!!! It stuns me to think that people with Bachelor degrees occupy these positions!