Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xCustomx]

I'm in the middle of negotiations with my public school and am trying to increase my benefits for next year. My school has agreed to give me a 100k raise, to get me up to the GEPIK max of 2.5/month. I'm trying to increase my income by teaching after school classes, but it doesnt seem to be working too well.

I have 18 classes from 9-3, which falls within the normal school hours. I also teach after school classes, to bring me up to the standard 22 hours/week. I usually teach 12 first grade classes and 6 second grade classes a week. I proposed teaching 12 first and 12 second grade classes next year, so I'd get 2 hours of OT. This would also allow me to teach some after school classes and pick up some extra money. But my school said they don't have any money to pay me for OT. Has anyone ever heard this before? I know each school receives about 50 million won from the government, of which about 40 million is used towards my salary, housing allowance, pension, etc. What does that 10 million won go towards? I called them on this and my co-teacher said that the money can't be used towards OT classes.

[Ramen]

Money left over can be used for just about anything and everything that your master wants including room salons.

[aarontendo]

After school hours are often times paid by students themselves I think.

My overtime classes I get an envelope of money in return for heh. I seem to recall it being the same at my middle school a year ago too.

[D.D.]

My after school classes were cancelled this semester. A student told me the school is broke.

[Otherside]

OP, I wouldn't recommend pushing for OT classes. You are only teaching 18 hours a week, meaning you'll have to teach an extra 6 hours for just 2 hours pay, thus turning a pretty sweet deal into an average one. While the extra money may seem appealing, how often are 1 or more of your classes cancelled each week? Every time 2 classes in a week are cancelled, you may well find yourself teaching 20 hours a week for your normal salary vs. teaching 16 or so for the same money. Unless you are on the limit it isn't worth it. I was on 20 classes/week and got bumped to 24...If I had the choice I'd go back to 20 in a heartbeat./

Each school calculates OT differently, and they are often quite secretive about it. I've had months where classes have been cancelled yet I've got all my OT pay, others where I have lost pay. One month I took a sick day, yet I got paid for my OT classes. Another month I had an open class at the same time as my OT classes and I got docked 2 hours OT pay (Even though, I was teaching my Open class for 1 of the hours, and having the feed back session for the other one). In my opinion OT is more hassle than it's worth.

[xCustomx]

[ardis]

[Countrygirl]

I went through all of this with my school and got short end of the stick. If you remember, the school said they couldn't afford to pay the optional raise even though they didn't want to lose me.

Called Wenise and she said I could ask for more money for overtime. She said that GEPIK encourages the schools to reward their teachers for good work. Asked my Principal, in lew of the raise, I make more money overtime. She said Sure, no problem, except that it is the parent commitee that has to agree to it. It they say, yes, then no problem.

Then the problems started. She wouldn't sign the paper agreeing to the changes. I wouldn't stay if she wouldn't sign. Finally the head teacher uses the stamp. Come the next semester, they decide to call their GEPIK head office who says that I can't be paid more than 20,000/hour. What can I do?? Call Dain who says she can't do anything because I didn't talk to her in the first place (and I couldn't because she's not in charge of elementary). Then I find out that all the Principals in my area told my Principal to not give me any financial benefit because they don't want to give raises or extra money to their foreign teachers.

Basically, my Principal treats me okay, but won't budge on the money. I'm debating on staying or leaving at the 6 month mark. Except for the money, I'm happy here and people are okay. But I'm also up for the challange of a new school. What to do, what to do...

Oh, the only useful thing Dain told me is that basically GEPIK will do what the Principal wants. It is all up to the Principal. But the Principal will make excuses for whatever they don't want to do.

Overtime, the students pay for the class. They try to keep the rate low because that is the advantage of public school...but my class is even cheaper than the art class. In my view, they can raise the rate somewhat when a new semester starts.

My opinion is that school management doesn't really care how good you are if you cost too much. Great English is not the goal...getting the English budget is. The other teachers, though, they're the ones who appreciate someone who does a good job.

[marlow]

[xCustomx]

[D.D.]

Schools are not allowed to cut back on your regular 22 hours and then ask you to teach after school classes for free.

They have to find a way to get you 22 regular hours and if the can't do that then that's their problem. They are making money off those after school classes and you should get some of it.

[nomad-ish]

[marlow]

[nomad-ish]

[Countrygirl]