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Temporary
Joined: 13 Jan 2008
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 Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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I am pretty happy with the 14 days. This winter I got over 6 weeks it was very boring for me. I spent more money then I had too.
With re-signing I get extra two weeks which I am very happy with. 3 or 4 weeks is more then enough for me. |
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thekakapo
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Location: Seoul, Korea
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Dome Vans"][quote="xingyiman"]
| Dome Vans wrote: |
It really comes down to the individual. Most want Seoul and will accept anything to be there, even awful Hagwons. I chose the contract above the place. With all that extra time off there plenty of opportunity to travel around. A couple of places I went to that I thought were beautiful were Geoje Island and Pohang, they'd be nice to live in I think. |
Do you guys think the benefits of being in a far-flung beautiful place outweighs the benefits of being in a larger city with more access to accomidations?
What about museums, night life, ease in making friends, etc? When I lived in France I lived in a smallish town called Selestat, 20 minutes by train from two larger places, and it was totally ideal. There were four or five bars, a great local flavor, friendly townfolk, beautiful architecture, and cheap housing. However, I wonder if I could take small-town life in a country whose language I don't speak, though I am trying!
Sorry this is a bit off-topic, but I keep getting mixed feelings from people about the benefits and drawbacks of big places like Busan and Seoul.
On topic... I have found myself wondering as well why Korean public schools don't take those extra steps to make their program more attractive. I can't see how useful I will be with my TEFL training (and that's all) during the weeks with no children to teach... so why require me to be there for the duration? I imagine a longer, yet still reasonable, paid vacation would attract people. I know it would me! |
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ardis
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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I agree! On paper, public schools really don't seem any better than hagwons. To many, they seem so much LESS desirable--the idea of waking up so early and then trying to teach 36 kids in a class where 1/3 don't even know the alphabet well isn't exactly thrilling. I did get lucky in having a friendly P, great co-workers, a friendly staff, and tons of time off, but I know others in the Seoul public system who haven't fared as well.
Is SMOE in a big crunch for teachers, though? Or are they getting enough applicants at this moment where they feel like they don't need to beef up the contracts? |
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Hank the Iconoclast
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Location: Busan
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Dome Vans wrote: |
| xingyiman wrote: |
| Dome Vans wrote: |
To my mind, the main draw for people to the sweatshops that they call Hagwons is that they don't or can't teach big groups or they can't get up in the mornings.
I get three months paid vacation from my PS every year. Work out in the countryside, the benefits are way better. |
I agree with the working benefits being better in the countryside but then there's the rural Korean culture you have to deal with. Is it worth it? |
To me yes. I chose my contract above the location. I would hate living in the city. Especially Seoul which I visit maybe once a month, too big and too dirty. I've had no bad korean behaviour up until now in the country, and I'm very rural. If something negative does happen then once in a year is hardly much to complain about.
Otherside it depends on the school. I work in Chungnam province and my contract says 20 days, but because my schools are max 1-2 groups for each level, and total 100-130 students total in the school there isn't the need to tons of extra classes. The Hagwon's in my villages total, zero. So the holiday that the students get, is holiday for us as well. I get treated the same as the Korean teachers when it comes to this entitlement. But I do work very hard at planning, join in all the school activities, do cooking lessons, love teaching my students (very low level students and a few excellent ones), don't complain and especially if I'm asked to something small I'll do it without comment. So I have an excellent working relationship with Principal, VP and co-teachers. 2 months for winter and 1 month for summer is plenty, there's also the national holidays. So why complain when I get that.
It really comes down to the individual. Most want Seoul and will accept anything to be there, even awful Hagwons. I chose the contract above the place. With all that extra time off there plenty of opportunity to travel around. A couple of places I went to that I thought were beautiful were Geoje Island and Pohang, they'd be nice to live in I think. |
I'm in a similar situation to Dome here. I agree, I decided to pick the contract over the location and I think it has really paid off for me. The working conditions at my schools are exceptional and I actually do feel like I garner some respect from my fellow teachers. Lots of them love to talk with me in English and I do so in kind. My attitude and my willingness to be a good English teachers has made my conditions even better.
One way to improve your conditions at public schools is to go the extra step and make sure you have a good relationship with your principal. I have daily conversation with three of my principals (I teach at four schools) and those are by far my favorite schools. I don't think this would happen in Seoul or any other major city. This is much more likely to happen in rural and small schools. I do not regret teaching in Buyeo and I encourage people to try the small town experience.
You do need to be near a major city though and that's why I will be relocating to Gongju next year. I want the small town working experience but a closer proximity to a major city. |
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Easter Clark
Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject: |
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| I really don't get why people would avoid a PS job just because they have to get up early. The majority of jobs--anywhere--are from morning to evening, unless you work in a blue collar-type job like restaurant, factory or construction work (or hagwons?), where there are always people on the clock. |
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Dome Vans
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Easter Clark wrote: |
| I really don't get why people would avoid a PS job just because they have to get up early. The majority of jobs--anywhere--are from morning to evening, unless you work in a blue collar-type job like restaurant, factory or construction work (or hagwons?), where there are always people on the clock. |
I might generalise here a bit (cherish the day) that most that hate mornings are probably just out of Uni and haven't quite adjusted to working life hours just yet. I think the idea they have to get up early and be teaching a class of 30 at 9:20am is a no go. If anything it's the perfect tonic to wake yourself up in first 2 minutes of teaching.
Hank the Iconoclast wrote:
| Quote: |
I'm in a similar situation to Dome here. I agree, I decided to pick the contract over the location and I think it has really paid off for me. The working conditions at my schools are exceptional and I actually do feel like I garner some respect from my fellow teachers. Lots of them love to talk with me in English and I do so in kind. My attitude and my willingness to be a good English teachers has made my conditions even better.
One way to improve your conditions at public schools is to go the extra step and make sure you have a good relationship with your principal. I have daily conversation with three of my principals (I teach at four schools) and those are by far my favorite schools. I don't think this would happen in Seoul or any other major city. This is much more likely to happen in rural and small schools. I do not regret teaching in Buyeo and I encourage people to try the small town experience. |
Good points Hank. As I found out just now the Korean teachers talk a lot about their native teachers. My co-teacher told me that everything said about me was very positive. So I must be doing something right. If you're in the good books then it's easy street. Big city life would just make me stressed, how many teachers turn up late to school and are stressed and city sick everyday? How nice is that to work with. Out in the countryside it's way more laid back. Traffic Jams!! Nope. Clean air? Loads. Although the yellow dust is a bit of shitter at the mo.
thekakapo wrote:
| Quote: |
Do you guys think the benefits of being in a far-flung beautiful place outweighs the benefits of being in a larger city with more access to accomidations?
What about museums, night life, ease in making friends, etc? When I lived in France I lived in a smallish town called Selestat, 20 minutes by train from two larger places, and it was totally ideal. There were four or five bars, a great local flavor, friendly townfolk, beautiful architecture, and cheap housing. However, I wonder if I could take small-town life in a country whose language I don't speak, though I am trying! |
Nice to live in France. Always wanted to do that. It really does come down to taste and is relative to the person. The benefits to me favour the countryside. There are about 20 native teachers in my city. Five of us live in the same apartment block. I have a really good laugh and good friendship with three of them, the other is a weirdo. I believe in quality of few friends rather than loads of people I'm not keen on to hang out with. I'm not desperate to hang out with people I'd not give the time of day if I was back home and just because they have a white face. I'm not 8 years old anymore. I like my quiet time. I'm too busy during the week to go out. During the week no alcohol. Seoul is a two hour express bus ride to Seoul so it is there when I need it. I go to places like Hongdae and Itaewon and see plenty to remind me that I'm not missing out on anything. But again this is all relative.
The other important thing to me is that I will re-sign for another year maybe two in my city. I know all my 450 students, their levels and what makes then tick with English. It's takes time. If I go somewhere else then it'll take more time to get to know them and it's almost back to square one. I'd rather hone in on the ones I have and help them improve. They understand me and I understand them. Having a bit of consistency of teaching for them can only be good. |
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Taiwantroll
Joined: 10 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:50 am Post subject: |
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My contract stipulates 5 weeks paid vacation, 7 weeks if I re-sign.
And $30 000/year is significant when you consider that you have no expenses here. It is actually closer to $35 000/year when you consider the bonus month, travel allowance, and airfare. That is almost entirely bankable income. That would be comparable to an approxiamate income of $50 000/year in Canada or more, when you consider the amount of taxes you would be required to pay back home and the amount you would have to pay in rent.
Also, when you compare salaries from other countries, Korea is, and my contract in particular, is really the best deal out there. I don't know anywhere you could make more money, with the exception of the Middle East. But who would want to live there. |
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LBC27
Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Location: New York, USA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:23 am Post subject: |
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I'm confused about those of you at rural public schools who say that you chose your contract over location. I am under the impression that if you want to teach at a PS you have to go through a program like EPIK and the contracts are more or less the same (except for being in a metro area vs. a POE).
I want to come to Korea this summer and teach at a PS (probably doing EPIK)..Can someone explain? And also, what are the best provinces to be in? Thanks! |
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cdninkorea
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:12 pm Post subject: |
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| I also hate how the principal is treated like God Himself. I could rant about this but instead let me just say that quite a bit better at middle and high schools. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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| LBC27 wrote: |
| I'm confused about those of you at rural public schools who say that you chose your contract over location. I am under the impression that if you want to teach at a PS you have to go through a program like EPIK and the contracts are more or less the same (except for being in a metro area vs. a POE). |
EPIC contracts are all basically the same, but (among other things) vairy by province with regard to the number of 'official' vacation days - the majority offer 14 working days, but (I believe) in Gangwon-do it's 35... in Jeollanam-do, 30. A Jeollanam contract also states they could put you in a 'Home-Stay' instead of getting you an apartment or house.  I'd just LOVE to live down on the pig farm with a Korean family and truly experience the K-ulture. 
| LBC27 wrote: |
| I want to come to Korea this summer and teach at a PS (probably doing EPIK)..Can someone explain? And also, what are the best provinces to be in? Thanks! |
You'll have to research where you want to go. There are so many variables; and only you know what you want. What's right for one person may not be for another. |
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Taiwantroll
Joined: 10 Sep 2006
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Gangwondo does have the best deal. 5 weeks paid vacation, 7 weeks if you re-sign. Yes, all the contracts are the same. What differs is the 'isolation' pay. If you are in remote locations you will receive an additional $100,000 won each month, and if you travel between several schools you will receive a transportation allowance. |
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Chicoloco
Joined: 18 Oct 2006
Location: In the ring.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Salary could be better. $30,000 per year is peanuts. |
Really? With free accomodation? With 7 weeks paid vacation? With return airfares? With 13 months pay for a 12 month contract? Tax free? |
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marlow
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Chicoloco wrote: |
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| Salary could be better. $30,000 per year is peanuts. |
Really? With free accomodation? With 7 weeks paid vacation? With return airfares? With 13 months pay for a 12 month contract? Tax free? |
For living in a foreign country? For being better qualified than your Korean co-workers? For not having any of the social safety net benefits of paying taxes?
I see your point, though. I'm still here.  But, it's the other $$$ perks than what you mentioned that keep me here. Luckily my school does not follow the contract. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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| marlow wrote: |
| Chicoloco wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Salary could be better. $30,000 per year is peanuts. |
Really? With free accomodation? With 7 weeks paid vacation? With return airfares? With 13 months pay for a 12 month contract? Tax free? |
For living in a foreign country? For being better qualified than your Korean co-workers? For not having any of the social safety net benefits of paying taxes?
I see your point, though. I'm still here. But, it's the other $$$ perks than what you mentioned that keep me here. Luckily my school does not follow the contract. |
You have a Korean teaching certificate then? |
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marlow
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| marlow wrote: |
| Chicoloco wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Salary could be better. $30,000 per year is peanuts. |
Really? With free accomodation? With 7 weeks paid vacation? With return airfares? With 13 months pay for a 12 month contract? Tax free? |
For living in a foreign country? For being better qualified than your Korean co-workers? For not having any of the social safety net benefits of paying taxes?
I see your point, though. I'm still here. But, it's the other $$$ perks than what you mentioned that keep me here. Luckily my school does not follow the contract. |
You have a Korean teaching certificate then? |
No, I did a double major from my Canadian university in "Teaching a Language I Can't Use" and "Ineffective Teaching Methodology", so I was just comparing from that.
Anyway, if my school followed the contract, I'd quit, so to address the OP, I think they should focus on improving their contracts. |
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