Korean Job Discussion Forums

tonyvu

and it asks if i want to be housed near the school or the subway station...

to those who live there right now, which is the best option?

lohengrin · Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Location: Loompaland

what area ?

ekul · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Location: [Mod Edit]

Basically you need to make the decision whether to commute to work, or commute to where the nightlife and amenities are.

seoulsucker · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:43 pm Post subject:

Yeah, the big question is where your school is, and what the difference in commute would be.

Also, you have to consider what else you're here for. If you're planning on trips into Seoul frequently for nightlife and shopping, being close to the subway might be key.

If you're not a morning person and would rather be able to sleep later and get to work quickly, pick close to school.

However, if the difference in commute is moot, definitely pick the subway. Nothing beats being close to one of the cheapest and most convenient public transportation systems in the world.

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

Go with the subway station.

Atleast you know you'll be in a decent area come 5pm and weekends. Not to mention, living on the school's doorstep, bumping into your students and their parents all the time gets old fast.

tonyvu · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:48 pm Post subject:

I will be in Ilsan. How long will a commute to school be if i do choose the subway option?

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

Your school could be in the middle of nowhere. I say choose the subway station for accessibility.

AussieGav · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Location: Uijeongbu

A lot depends on the availability of appropriate/affordable housing as well. So despite your selection on the form, the school will house you where is most pracitcal anyway. It's not grat living very close to the school because all the kids will see where you live, but you also dont want a long bus journey every morning and afternoon.

AussieGav · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Location: Uijeongbu

A lot depends on the availability of appropriate/affordable housing as well. So despite your selection on the form, the school will house you where is most pracitcal anyway. It's not grat living very close to the school because all the kids will see where you live, but you also dont want a long bus journey every morning and afternoon.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

ellegarden · Joined: 01 Sep 2007

kingplaya4 · Joined: 14 May 2006

I'd think twice before I'd join a public school now, they really pay peanuts, and most people's vacation isn't even that great. (Granted I've never worked for a public school, but have known several who have and it doesn't sound as good as a nice hagwon.) I've seen ads for hagwons on here that pay 3.5 million a month, and my job currently pays 3 million a month for only five hours of teaching a day. I get a month of holiday plus the national holidays (all five of them this year but still) so that's not much different than most public school jobs. A lucky few will land a job that gives real vacations, but that's not the norm.

My hagwon isn't looking for anyone as I'm the only teacher, but I'd say at least consider trying to find a good one, and you can always email ex-teachers to weed out the good and the bad. It's up to you, but 2 million or so doesn't get you very far anymore.

AgDragon01 · Joined: 13 Nov 2008

I work for P.S.

I officially get 20 paid vacation days and 15 paid sick days minimum (plus all national holidays).

But depending on your school, and if you get to fill out the "lesson plan at home" form, you'll get more - I got about a month off for winter break, almost two weeks off for spring break, and god knows how many for summer. I also normally do 4 hours of teaching a day. Yeah, they don't pay as much as most hagwons, but I wanted the vacation time.

QbertP · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Location: Seoul

Also, and this is key, while a nice hagwon might be a better deal than a nice public school(debatable), a terrible public school is always better than a terrible hagwon.

Public schools are a much safer (if not always more lucrative) investment of your time and effort.

ekul · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Location: [Mod Edit]

I'd agree with everything AgDragon said. I have lots of vacations, only a 2million paycheck, but that is easily bumped up with 7th period classes and teacher lessons, it's not stellar but if seeing Korea, living stress free, enjoyable work and schedule are your thing then PS seems to be the place.

What puts me off Hogwons, not counting the horror stories, is having to deal with the pettiness of other native teachers and having to conform to being a business before an educational facility.