Korean Job Discussion Forums

[NateD]

My girlfriend and I have our interviews with EPIK in a few hours and as the subject suggests we're concerned with the starting newbie salary of 1.8. We have concerns with hagwons and previously thought that they offered more pay, but with less vacation times and longer working days. Are we wrong with assuming this?

I know this gets asked frequently, but could somebody give us some tips on finding that great hagwon job (preferably in Bundang)? Right now it seems we want the best of both worlds, but it seems like we may be getting a raw deal.

Anyways, thanks for your time and advice.

[afsjesse]

1.8 is the starting salary for most Metropolitan cities like Busan etc... if youw ant more money, ask to be placed in a rural area. You will easily make 2.0-2.3 depending on the number of schools you work at and how much overtime you may get.

If you go the hagwon route do not under any circumstances accept a job without any of the following.

1. Get references from former ex-native teachers. Preferibly 2 or more, but 1 could do.
2. Have a phone interview with your "boss" so you can ask questions and get a feel for the English capability you will be working with. Asking to talk to a co-teacher would be nice also.
3. Ask for pictures of the apartment, where it's located and how far from the school it is.
4. Review the contract and demand changes if anything looks suspicious. ie: no mention of pension/severance, more than 30 teaching hours, absurdly long work days exceeding 8 hours, freelancing at more schools, etc.
5. Get details about the age and level of the students, what exactly is expected of you, do you need to make your own syllabi or is it provided? How big is the school and how many students will you be teaching? Is the school reputable with a good track record? Is it blacklisted?

If you do these things, chances are in your favour, however slightly, that you will have a decent gig.

Good luck,
Jesse

[antoniothegreat]

[NateD]

Thanks for the info. I've also read some mixed things about hours through EPIK. Some people have stated that they work 4 or 5 hours a day at there public schools through EPIK and others have said that they are there the full 8 hours. Does anybody have any knowledge on that aspect of the program?

[afsjesse]

Most people have to work 8 hours. What this means is that you will teach up to 22 hours per week and sit on your arse for the rest of the time doing whatever you wish. Some schools let their GET's leave early. I leave at 4:30 as most people do.

It's the luck of the draw. Either way, it's an easy gig and no hassle. Atleast on my end.

[DeLaRed]

is there much opportunity for overtime work with EPIK or SMOE? 1.8 really low

[afsjesse]

In major cities yes. My friend has classes each week and gets reimbursed nicely. In the sticks, it depends on your school.

[jonbowman88]

I think if you want to stay in Korea longer than one yea EPIK is the way to go, because your pay keeps increasing, Hogwans might pay better but from what I hear it's more work and less vacation time

[keetrainchild]

I was also disappointed to learn that despite my experience teaching in Korea and the U.S.A. (because I taught only part-time in the U.S.A.), EPIK would pay me less than I could get elsewhere (ie, a private school is offering me 2.3M and a two-bedroom (plus living room) apartment. However, the benefits of working in a public high school for the government for a well-established agency in an area closer Seoul seem worth the salary gap. I just hope that I'm right.

[afsjesse]

Do this 120 hour online TESL course for 80 USD and you get a 100k increase if you don't have a certification already. I'm currently doing it and I think it's pretty good, given that it's online.

www.teslol-global.com

[Looney]

[afsjesse]

Yes It's accredited.

www.tesol-global.com

[Looney]

[oldtactics]

The website works for me, Looney.

[afsjesse]

The course content can be viewed on the site. It's all articles from the Asian EFL Journal. There's alot of technical talk but I think it's straightforward. The readings are pretty well organized and not too long. I find it very informative.

Jesse.