Korean Job Discussion Forums

zuburi · Joined: 19 Jun 2008

Okay, I just realized that I was hijacking my own thread (http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=127517), so I thought since I have so many questions, I'd be better off starting a new topic. Hope I'm not stepping on anybody's toes Shocked

If I do decide to go to Korea, I want to know if I should sign this EPIK contract or look for a private place like Pagoda instead (hagwon? Sorry, I'll get the lingo down soon!).

I'll be using "Pagoda" instead of "private English academy" from hereon, and I also will probably say stuff regarding EPIK that every last one of you reading this already knows. Embarassed

EPIK seems like it may be met with more respect when I use it on my resume. Am I just assuming this?

I don't want to teach children. I didn't like children when I was one. High school is fine, but I am worried that the students will be... well, that they'll be like I was in high school. With EPIK, I'll be dealing with high school students. I'm assuming that, if I work at a private place, the students will be more serious and less troublesome? (I've also read those "I am being accused of xxxx" horror stories on here and got the crap scared out of me from that)

EPIK gives 14 vacation days and makes no mention of school holidays. It could be that they're just covering themselves, but it sounds like I'll be there even when the students aren't. Am I mistaken? Pagoda gives, I believe, 30 vacation days.

EPIK is 40 hours a week, Pagoda is not. I remember hearing that I will need to be in the school office even when there is nothing to do. Those of you teaching in schools, what do you do? If I work at a private place, I'd like to do some private tutoring since I'll be working less hours, which leads to...

I enjoy private tutoring. I'm currently a private English tutor here in the states for Korean college students studying ESL here. EPIK makes it sound like I face crucifixion if I do any private tutoring. If I work at a private place, will I be able to do this on the side? Heck, I wouldn't mind working less hours but having free time to be able to do private tutoring.

EPIK pays less than Pagoda (yes, experience is more important, but I have student loans breathing down my neck and wouldn't mind being able to pay off a little bit). However, EPIK pays for housing and airfare. I imagine that I should calculate everything to see which one does pay more in the end.

Any thoughts/suggestions/epithets? Anybody started in EPIK then decided not to re-sign and go the private route? Anybody do the opposite?

Thanks for reading all that Rolling Eyes

wsiggins · Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Location: Chuncheon, Gangwon do

Doesn't Pagoda have crazy split shifts, like EARLY mornings 6-9 and then come in for another three hours later 12-3 or something roughly like that??

I don't know that for sure but it seems to ring a bell to me that Pagoda/Direct have funny hours. Or maybe it is JUST direct, not sure.

Paddy111 · Joined: 19 Mar 2008

Do not ever work for Pagoda, or any of its bastard son companies.

They are fundamentally dishonest. They will rip you off left, right and centre.

The western teachers are generally ok but the Korean staff are lucifer's children.

Stay away at all costs.

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 4:55 am Post subject: Re: EPIK v Pagoda

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

In short, work for Pagoda if you care about money. You'll work a lot harder, but you'll clear a lot more a month and get a lot more respect from staff and students. No stupid kids either.

EPIK is good if:

a) You are willing to live anywhere in Korea (its out of your control)

b) You want to see the most inefficient, brutally incompetent bureaucracy in action. It's like watching a car wreck in slow motion.

c) Don't want to work hard at all.

I wonder why guys like Frank always trash Pagoda. In my experience, Pagoda treats good teachers well and gets rid of shit ass teachers.

Oh wait. Now I understand.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:56 am Post subject:

DrOctagon · Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Location: Chicago

You don't have to work hard for EPIK? Woo-hoo! Can't wait to start. Who actually wants to work hard in life? I always thought that making decent money by doing very little was a good thing. Laughing

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

A school has a right not to extend a contract for any reason. They are not obligated to hire anyone. Just in their best interest.

At our branch, we had a teacher for 2 years and he was offered a 3rd contract but left of his own accord. Many teachers are on the 2nd contract, and we're all making at least 3.5 a month consistently since March.

Terrible job, huh?