Korean Job Discussion Forums

[marlow]

What's the catch on trying to work here? There's a job listing and it looks really sweet. Pay is good, and vacation and benefits look good too.

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=32265

Is there way more work involved than they let on?
Is the location too terrible? (I think it would be rather relaxing.)
Does housing there suck?
Are there are a zillion applicants and one position, so there's no way I'll work there anyway?

[Poemer]

KMLA is a boarding school. You will be living on the campus, out in the sticks. It might be great for some and not great for others.

[marlow]

[Poemer]

I don't know if they are able to accommodate a teacher with a family or not. I don't know anything about workload etc. either. The only thing I know is that the kids are all high-level English learners, many have spent significant time abroad. I used to teach at a prep school that focused on getting students into boarding schools like KMLA. My best middle school students were able to do pretty well on the ibt, which is intended for college entrance, not high-school, and is a requirement for KMLA entrance. It is a workaholic environment.

[marlow]

[Young FRANKenstein]

[marlow]

[genezorm]

the school has a good reputation in Korea, being one of the best (if not the best) prep school for students planning to study abroad
i think it's a good school, but i would be weary the stress that would come with such a school...i expect it would be very demanding on the teachers

and it is out in the middle of nowhere in kangwondo.....a 30 minute drive to wonju if i'm not mistaken

[merkurix]

That school regularly crank out Harvard-bound kids. Forget Seoul National University as their ultimate goal of the typical Korean, these kids are dead serious on getting into the Ivy League schools, Oxford and Cambridge. These kids don't mess around with the pittances of unis Korea offers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/world/asia/27seoul.html?pagewanted=print

[FMPJ]

I'm the teacher quoted in that NYT article, and yes, it's true, the top FLHS kids are powerhouses.

The KMLA job is a great one for anyone who enjoys highly motivated, talented, ambitious students--and has the knowledge and passion to teach them. These are the best students in Korea and among the best in the world.

That said, if you're qualified for that job, you might consider looking at the other FLHS, since the KMLA pay scale is at the lower end of the spectrum for the top programs (not so bad when the free housing/meals are factored in, admittedly).

I know a few of the KMLA kids and I hope they end up with a great teacher.

[Intrepid]

FMPJ--what kind of housing do they provide? Would it accomodate a wife, child, and dog? If so, that 3.0 million is not bad. Daewon pays the most of the FLHS, but they offer nothing beyond pay--and I'm pretty sure the others are similar.
Thanks for any info.

[FMPJ]