Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mr. Susan]

So I work 25 hours a week in my current job, it's not in a public school, it's in a community centre.

I'm looking at working a kindergarten job at a hogwan (what qualifies as a hogwan anyway?). English is just one of the subjects they teach, they teach music, and a bunch of other things too.

Both jobs are okay with each other, so would immigration see it as okay? Or have the rules been changed?

My supervisor seems to think that you can't work at two institutions classified as 'hogwans'.

Anyone have some good info on this? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[loose_ends]

[kiwiana]

You need is a letter of permission from your E2 visa sponsor (i.e., community center). Then get a contract from the hagwon that you wish to start at (a hagwon is a private institute cram school). The contract with the hagwon should state the expected contract period. This period cannot go over the end date of the contract with your community center sponsor.

You must then take both documents (letter of permission and additional contract to immigration). You will then have to fork out around 80,000 to have it processed. Once done you can legally work at two institutions in South Korea.

I have not heard of a restriction of working at two hagwons or the like.

[Mr. Susan]

Thanks kiwiana. I'll ask around a bit more first though, I just want to make sure it's all legit before telling my main employer anymore. If I can't do it legally, I'll be happy to do it illegally for 4.1 million a month

Where are you from in NZ? I'm a Dunedinite.

[Teachurrrr]

Mr. Susan, Kiwiana's information is correct. I was told the same thing by Immigration in Uijeongbu in 2005.

To confirm, go to your local immigration office (they usually have someone who speaks enough English to understand and help with your request). Check with them for the procedure they follow (as all forms at different Immigration offices all uniform, but the interpretation of them may vary from office to office at their officer's discretion).

Approach your boss, with the form filled out, briefly explain, then request his or her signature. See what happens!

In 2005, I tried this. I worked at a small college (12 hours a week, 4-6 office hours). I wanted to do extra work, but legally since there were witchhunts for teaching privates by immigration around greater Seoul. Literally, people were hauled away in vans after immigration agents followed early morning teachers going to kindergartens and elsewhere all because of a sensationalized TV show that riled the public about drunk libidinous foreigners partying with Korean girls in Hongdae. The result, witchhunt. Anyway, I found a rather nice hagwon not too far away (if I took the subway) that was willing to give me a contract to teach in the evenings 3 times a week for a rather nice amount of money. I approached the dean who always seemed to be understanding. I informed him that it is legal via immigration to take an extra job at a second location (I showed him the forms and spelled out the process). He seemed perturbed. Then, he sidetracked the issue by telling me that president of the college would be the one to give the "okay" to sign the form. I wait and wait for feedback, then I push for an answer. The dean said though it is legal (which it seemed like he was very uncomfortable that I knew about this), the college will not sign the form. (I found out later he never sent the form to the college president's desk.) The dean just made the decision.) I told him I am trying to do this the proper way instead of teaching private lessons to professors, students, and locals in and around the campus who inquire. He said that was okay. I left it at that.

The dean would rather have his foreign "guest" professors teaching privates with the possibility of getting caught or turned in (a real risk around greater Seoul at that time) rather than allow permission for a foreign teacher to work at another location and make some extra money.

Some readers might say he is justified because of the reputation of the workplace could be affected if one works at a second location. I say bullsh_t. The non-tenured Korean professors work parttime at different campuses just to make ends meet. Tenured professors ask foreign lecturers to teach them or a family member with no forethought to the rep of the college.

In my opinion, the dean's refusal (to sign the immigration form to allow a teacher to work at two locations) was all about control. In my experience, Korean bosses (hagwon director/owner, college professor, chair, dean, school principal, etc.) don't like to share THEIR foreigner(s). Even if you teach private lessons, they still feel "in control" because they own your visa (E1 or E2). What can we do?

Yet, as always, they are exceptions to the rule. So Mr. Susan, why not get the form from your local immigration office, fill it out, then approach your director at the community center about working at two locations. My guess is, the person 1) may be shocked and just sign it, 2) may understand it, be cool, and sign it, or 3) stonewall. If they defer responsibility to a "higher authority," then you can figure it out that they don't intend to let you work at a second location legally. Then, make your choice to teach at another location without their permission. Good luck!

[loose_ends]

[Mr. Susan]

OK, here's the deal.

I approached my managers about working at a second job, and they informed me that I can't do it because of a law change late last year.

Because my community centre (Continued Learning facility) is considered as a public school in the eyes of the government, I cannot work at a hogwan as an add-on employer. I can only add similar schools, or a public school etc.

If I was sponsored by the kindergarten (hogwan) it would be possible to add on the community centre as a 2nd job.

Does anyone have any REAL RECENT information to the contrary?

[Mr. Susan]

bump

[Mr. Susan]

there's no one that knows anything about this? I find it hard to believe