Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

Folks:

I have a dilemma. I presently work for a Government College in Gyeonggi Do as a Lecturer and Teacher trainer. I get a good salary (2.7 million) plus free apartment on campus. But it looks like the the College won't renew my contract when it runs out in April, because my evaluations throughout the year have been around 66%-68% every month, and the director told me that they only extend contracts for teachers getting 80% and above, which I don't think I will get. Also, I have heard that the Director does not like to keep people over 50 years of age, and I will be 52 in May, 2008.

I have the possibility of a position at 'a' College, in Seoul, located in North East Seoul, near the Mangwolsa subway station, and near some good mountains for hiking.

The basic details are: 2.2 million won per month, 4-5 months vacation per year, 12-16 hours teaching per week, and 450,000 won housing money.

There is a clause in the contract at 'a' College which mentions: Termination of Agreement
(3) When the instructor gets lecturing evaluations less than 50 points at the end of semester. The lecturing evaluation will be made by students, and in that case, the instructor may be discharged from school instantly even though during term.

I am concerned about that clause, because it seems that only teachers who are popular will be kept, and some of those who are serious and honest in their approach to the job will face tough evaluations by the students. And this is a Vocational College. This is not the 'Ivey League'

Also I heard from the recruiter, that the College had to fire a female lecturer last year who gave a bunch of F grades to her students. The College does not like teachers who give bad grades to the students.

My recruiter told me that if I manage to go for the interview there, the job is almost mine, because, according to her, I am the only applicant with an M.A. degree, and I have also been recommended by a friend who has recently signed a contract there - thank you, fellow Korean Language student!

However if I accept the offer at 'a' College, I would have to face the following:

1. Loss of severance pay from my present position = 2.7 million won

2. Loss of return air ticket to Canada = 850,000 won

3. Possibility of getting a poor reference or none, for leaving my contract before the end (my contract is up April 1, 2008).

Do you think it would be better to take the College job which offers less pay (2.2 million) but much better vacation time (4-5 months per year)?

The alternative is not to take the job, and finish my contract in April, collect the severance pay and then hope to find another job. Which is the better option, from your point of view, taking the above into account?

Or would it be better to stay in my present Government job which has better pay (2.7 million won per month), but less vacation (7 weeks per year), and finish the contract there? But the contract finishes April 1, 2008. I will be out of work after that! I don't think I will be renewed for 2008-2009, as the Director seems to miffed that I am asking for time off for interviews, which he has not granted. It's too late now, and he knows I am looking for other positions. But I have to look out for #1 (myself), as I know he does not like to hire people my age.

If I stay until April to finish my contract, I will get the extra month pay plus severance pay, plus flight home. But if I decide to break the contract or get permission to leave early, then I will have a College job with sweet hours (12-16 hours a week), great vacation time (4-5 months), and 450,000 won for housing.

Thank you, and your feedback would be appreciated.

Ghost in Korea (www.gifle.go.kr)

[ghost]

Today, Saturday January 26, I made the long journey from my base in Anjung eup, near Pyeongtaek, up to Nambu bus station, Seoul, and then by subway from Nambu to Mangwolsa subway station. Journey time 3 hours + from Anjung eup, via Pyeongtaek, Nambu bus terminal and subway combinations.

Mangwolsa is on the number 1 line, up at the north eastern corner of the subway lines, near Dobongsan - and many kms away from the 'hotspots' in Central Seoul and the Gangnam area. In fact it takes over 60 minutes to get from Gangnam to Mangwolsa, by subway. Can take longer if the connections are not good. And you need to change lines to the number 4 or 3 lines, to get to most of the central areas of Seoul.

The College is nestled at the foot of some impressive mountains which are used by hikers, so as far as nature goes - very positive, and for those who work there, no need to join a gym - just hit those trails which start a few meters behind the College.

The College looks very small. There is one modern looking building, and then a little further up the hill, the older brick building, but not sure where the classes are held, because school was not in session.

The sports facilities on campus appear to be limited. I saw a basketball court and some tennis courts, and I assume there might be a small gym as well.

The college is located just 5 minutes walk from all the stores and restaurants. The area looks like a regular working and middle class area, with lots of high rise buildings also supplementing the landscape.

The 450,000 housing money might be enough to secure a modest one room studio apartment in the area, but the question of key money remains.

It is not a ritzy area, but in my opinion, has many advantages, including lower costs, as the area is a regular working/middle class residential, light years away from the glitz and luxury of Gangnam.

So the area is fine. But more information on the college would be welcome.

Note: Right behind the college is an International school -small one, with about 150 students, and most of the teachers there are North Americans. I spoke to one teacher who told me that despite the close proximity of the International school and the college - the teachers from the two sides do not mix and fraternize, which I found rather curious?

Ghost in Korea (www.gifle.go.kr)

[laogaiguk]

This is why I am leaving Korea. Seriously, while they have surveys for Korean teachers too, they would not ever think of doing this to them. They would only let one go for massive problems. I'm sorry, but there are so many things wrong with these "surveys", it's not funny. The cuter you are the higher you get. If you make life easy, you get higher marks. If you try to teach, you're screwed. It's completely disrespectful anyway.

[ajuma]

A bunch of questions before I can offer advice:

You realize that April is a VERY strange time for a uni/college to start, right? You'll probably not find another uni job if you wait until you finish your contract.

How much do you like your current school?

Are you SURE that you're going to be let go? Is there someone you could ask to get the info?

How important is that 3.5 mil?

Will your current school give you a letter of release so you can go to the school you interviewed with?

[Corky]

[Nemo]

I agree. Take the college job.

I'm not gonna sugar coat it, but, at your age, you should be risk averse when it comes to these kinds of things. Especially, since you've already been given the 'signals' of what your present employer intends.

With the new college, less pay but more vacation time is a definite upside.

[regicide]