Korean Job Discussion Forums

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

The new E-2 regulations have been a nightmare for teachers. What about the schools though? Have they felt the pain yet?

The following is a job posting on Dave's which shows proof of what the government has done to it's markets.

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=29645

This is just the beginning of the problems as most people are aware of, and adverse supply shocks will really help anyone that can get passed the visa process.

Earlier threads about what the new standard teachers should demand for salary will come to light in the upcoming couple years probably. I envy teachers who are not on deadlines and have the flexibility to wait for the good jobs to come crying their names.

At least for all the bad that get posted about teaching in Korea, the financial aspects, which are already positive, will most likely get better. (Upper end jobs might not see it, but newcomers to the market will surely see some benefits).

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

If they are desperate I would tell them 3million and they can have me

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

"Shock Pull-Out?"

Isn't that what happens when the balloon breaks? My goodness, what's going on at that school?

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Tjames426 · Joined: 06 Aug 2006

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=29645

Same old Same old.

Neither one offers enough money.
Both still force the Foreign teacher to spend a zillion hours above class time for preparation and other crap.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I agree. The ad pretty much just says that they need someone. Until the new regs start impacting the bottom line, it's all for rot.

roknroll · Joined: 29 Dec 2007

diablo3 · Joined: 11 Sep 2004

Only 2.3? Oh yeah wages are rising fast

Regulation is providing no real impact at the moment (I think) because I tested the waters myself and still provided me jobs of only 2.3. I cannot stop scoffing at the recruiters. Oh yeah, there was 1 job for 2.5 but I never bothered because the overtime rate is lower than the work rate. The hagwons are suffering but not budging yet.

Sadebugo1 · Joined: 11 May 2003

The usual rules of supply and demand don't always apply in Korea. I was working on an EPIK contract in 97-98 when the Asian crisis hit. Of the 50 some odd teachers in Taegu, several left mid-year and few decided to renew. When we had our contract renewal meeting in the spring, those of us who were interested in renewing were shocked. The Korean government, thinking that it wasn't enough that our salaries had been reduced by the won devaluation, decided to cut vacation time from 30 days to two weeks and force teachers to work at other schools if you weren't maxed out on hours at your assigned school. I think maybe seven teachers out of the original 50 renewed. This was the beginning of the decline of EPIK and I don't think it's quite yet recovered.

Anyway, don't assume that Korea will react to supply limitations the way most markets do.

Sadebugo
Djibouti, Horn of Africa
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

Sadebugo1 · Joined: 11 May 2003

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

Sadebugo1 · Joined: 11 May 2003

Before the Asia crisis, I was working at 1.6 for a level one. There was something called an EFL coordinator position for 2.0 at that time, but I never knew anyone who had it. In '97, 1.6 equaled about $2,000 American but then dropped to about $1,200 overnight.

Sadebugo
Djibouti, Horn of Africa
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

Well it seems that people with F series visas are getting a hell of a lot more bargaining power these days since the E series ones are getting harder to get. In a lot of cases if the hagwons want someone fast (and don't they always?) they've pretty much got to go with someone with an F series.

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

Just to clarify...

In my original post I wasn't trying to say the job itself was worth much.

I was commenting on the actual situation that had occured.

The ad claimed the teacher was lost for visa complications so I thought it was interesting to see an ad that actually said it. Smile

In addition, I'm not sure if some people realize that due to less teachers coming to China, that will mean MORE teachers going elsewhere. When that happens, supply in the other regions increases and demand hasn't changed... bargaining power in those areas will diminish and you could even see wages fall slightly since they will have much more choices for teachers. If wages don't fall, then standards will increase.

As bad as the new E-2 regulations are for Korea, they will certainly be beneficial in the longer run to those that can gaurantee they can enter the country for work purposes.