Korean Job Discussion Forums

Hank the Iconoclast · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Location: Busan

Currently, I work at a public school via EPIK in a rural area (Buyeo). I make decent money for the first year. However, I want to increase my earning potential drastically after this year. I know that the F2 gives you infinitely more inflexibility. So what kind of jobs should I be looking at? I don't want to be someone with a F2 and not taking advantage of it.

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

Unfortunately it's still, 'Who you know...' that rules my employment universe.
Networked into employment as a freelance English teacher at two (now three) large public kindergartens - toddler to pre-school level. Yippie, Hooray.
Nah, I like it in terms of making my own curriculum. A fun and colorful one full of multimedia, white board animations, stories, songs and dance. I really am an edutainer for the most part. (Yet, a certified teacher makes sure there are objectives to the madness. Cool

) I am not merely a greasepainted clown - though the option is there. I have been Doctor A**y, Guitar Minstrel A**y, Edison, a Robot Master ... I really like the job. Takes a bit of energy and thought but it's so much more vibrant than having only textbooks for study materials. I was allowed a lot of freedom to do things the way I'd want within one simple rule given to me: No writing. For me, that one rule opened up a whole new sphere of teaching and learning.

Alas, in the end for me it came down to, 'Who you know ...' It was initially at the yoochiwon where my son had attended that got me the foot in.

We still need pioneers to make our employment lives truly independent. Perhaps true independence in work is not even possible? Molla.

blaseblasphemener · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject:

Hank the Iconoclast · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Location: Busan

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

Hey thanks you guys. I didn't expect that.

I hope you can get into it, too.
It's easier I think than going to school classrooms. Just harder to prepare ...
I'm on second year now so re-gurgitating. Makes it easier ...

KumaraKitty · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

I'm also a Kindie teacher, on my 2nd year so regurgitating material as well. I love my Kindie, and they are great to me. It also leaves me with my afternoons/evenings free to pick up whatever I like, or in this case spend loads of time with my son when he finally decides to arrive!!
My Kindie started an afternoon conversation class twice a week with the 7 year olds that I have complete control over so i really love making them sing and do ridiculous things in English. They love it too! I was going to leave in March when the new term started since I was pregnant and felt bad, but the parents, students and teachers begged me to stay and I got a pay raise. If you have the energy, Kindie is the way to go!

jbpatlanta · Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Location: Daejeon

Right now I am trying to save a lot of money quickly so I am working in many different places. I teach a business class in the early mornings, then at some kindies around 10 - 12, a middle school part time 1:30 - 3:10 middle school after school two days 3:40 - 5:20, some tutoring at night several days a week.

Chillin' Villain · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Location: Goo Row

I've got a pretty sweet variety of work, all mostly through luck of connections but previous teaching credentials had a part, too. I do textbook writing/editing, internet recordings, TOEFL speaking/writing classes, and some evening private lessons. I taught at a uni for three years before getting hitched, but after the F-2 I stopped the next chance I had (contract finished). Sure, the time off and the schedule's nice, but if you're working for a family, getting PAID is priority one.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I work at a university and do freelance consulting on the side. With the visa (F5 now), it takes a lot of pressure off. With the freedom to move when and where one wants comes the ability to say no and mean it.

Some great success stories on this thread. A guy I used to work with at a university got his F2 and started his own study room. He's making a bundle and is happier than he'd ever been with all the red tape b.s. that accompanies most 'regular jobs'. He was ready to pack it in and leave, but the visa and job freedom changed his mind.

Hank the Iconoclast · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Location: Busan

Thanks for the advice guys. This is the way Dave's should be used Smile

ABC KID · Joined: 14 Sep 2007

PGF · Joined: 27 Nov 2006

I concentrate on privates in my area--walking distance or ten minutes by car. during the morning hours and then work a FT haggie job in the evening and do a few home schools on the weekends.

I wake up at 7 and finish at 9 or ten PM every night.

Next year, I might make a change, but for now, I like the hours and the work-I'm a money who re.

I prefer adults and teach as many adult classes as I can find, but the kids are the steady bread and butter. I do the haggie because we needed housing for the first 6 months of our marriage and I like to have insurance and pension match..... Next year I might renegotiate with the haggie for 3 days/wk and the same monthly pay. That will allow me to ease into the private lesson world.

Eventually, I'd like to open an adult hogwon in my area. There isn't one at all now so the market's good for it. we'll see....

I know a guy who taught Tai Kwon Do who now has his own study room and seems pretty happy.

good luck

OneWayTraffic · Joined: 14 Mar 2005

I do biz classes mornings and evenings, all of them 1:1 with execs.

In the day I do kindergartens, where I basically pop in to teach a quick 20-30 minute lesson and then go to the next class. It's a bit hectic on some days; other days I'm just sitting at home though.

If you push hard, you can double the money from any public school or uni. But there is the price to pay in travel time.

The one thing I like is the minimum of paperwork and redtape. I basically have complete control of what I teach in the adult classes and (as long as I follow a basic ciriculum) also the kinders.

robot · Joined: 07 Mar 2006

With an F5 en route, I'm full-time at a hagwon that I have found more enjoyable, stress-free, and lucrative than full-time privates.

My next step now is publishing on my specialty subject, and after that I'll likely look into doing seminars and training around Seoul.

gangpae · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Location: Busan

Most F2/F5 visa holders usually end up driving the van for their wife's hagwon. Many are allowed to go out occasionally on a Saturday night, but are usually required to wear an ankle bracelet with a GPS tracking device. Doing a runner is almost impossible unless you've managed to squirrel away enough cash to bribe your way through immigration. Be afraid, be very afraid.