Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mysterious700]

Public School Teachers - How are your working conditions??? Which program do you work for - ETIS (Seoul), GEPIK (Gyeonggi Do), or EPIK (rest of Korea). Is your school, education office strict or more lenient? For example, leave early, days off, flexibility for teaching, etc? How is your apartment? I work for EPIK. (Jeollabuk-do) Had a bad run downtown tiny one room for nearly two years, but after intense lobbying all foriegners in my country town are moved to a large and modern apartment (no mold. Yippee). Working conditions were slack but are now getting more strict. The supervisor has actually gone to the schools ordering them to never let us go early and to be there even on exam days. Before we had a lot more freedom to leave when we weren't teaching. Still we only work half days during vactions (camps), while I hear of some who have to go sit at the education office in the afternoons during this time. On the plus side, we get to take our vacation time in summer together. Two weeks home leave and 11 days together means I get 3 and a half weeks to fly home each year. Some only get their two weeks and have to come back. I would say, my area is middle of the road with working conditions. I know of someone in my province in another area who got a lot of time off this past winter and didn't have to teach many camps at all. But he still lives in a dumpy apartment. How about you?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I have no problems with my working conditions and I love my job, but then I'm a bit of a workaholic. It's been very much a give-give relationship on both my and my school's part, and they've been very flexible and accommodating when I've asked them to.

[cj1976]

I'm with a SMOE elementary school. As long as I fulfill my obligations to the school (teaching hours, camps etc), they leave me alone. I leave early and come in late, and I get extra unofficial vacation that is written up as 'study and professional development' time.

[Gaber]

ETIS. Happy. Desk warming over summer is kind of lame, but I just play old computer games all day. Nobodies ever asked for my 'essay'. I only got home for 11 days between contracts, but I had a couple of weeks in Japan in summer. Camps are actually fun, I like gettin to do all my own material, and getting to go home at lunch time is awesome. It's kind of a tease for how sweet it would be working for one of those after school at public schools 4 hour a day gigs thought. That'd be the life.

[thekakapo]

I work for SMOE in northern Seoul. We have a really nice school, I get most of the afternoon for my own projects (though I do have to be sitting here, no one is watching what I do) and the kids are pretty great for the most part.

It's a goog gig. Dealing with SMOE administration SUCKS, but otherwise I'm very happy with my choice. I've been here for 7 months.

[mysterious700]

I should add that I have freedom to mostly teach what I want as long as the students are interested and that I do like the kids. So, I am mostly happy with my job in spite of some minor complaints. Kids in the country are quite nice. How are they in bigger cities?

[harlowethrombey]

SMOE and great.

It depends on the school, though.

I have quite a bit of freedom here (to run out and get lunch/go for a walk at lunchtime) or to teach in a western style (small group activities, etc.). I have a nice office, any technological knick knacks I might need and supportive co-teachers/administration. I have (mostly) motivated, sweet students and my days are generally pretty stress free.

Your mileage may vary.

[KYC]

ETIS (SMOE)

my students are generally well behaved. I have supportive coteachers who let me teach anyway I want. Administration is a bit of a pain. My vp is on a power trip. Almost all the teachers in the school hates her. I have a lot of free time during the week.

My apartment is central, new..be nice if it was a bit bigger...I'm satisfied. LOADS better than my GEPIK gig last year.

[nuthatch]

good to hear of how things are for you, mysterious700

that's great with regard to putting all the teachers in a new building in the town

as that was the main problem with where I lived in the same province

and the sleazy supervisor refused to do anything positive

the bunker was a horror story

the students (many schools) were delightful

[kasain]

I work for the School district. Uljin, not EPIK, or others stated above. Many public teachers here are hired through the school district, while a few are EPIK.

I teach at the high school, 18 hours a week. Only have two make 2 lesson plans a week. I get 7 weeks vacation and am able to teach anything I want.

The staff treats to dinners and other things. I worked two hogwans before this. And I really like what I do now.

I have computer, a copy machine, that i can use. The Korean English teachers actually are helpful and work with me.

Looks like if i resign I will get 9 weeks off as well. Can't beat that for a public school, non university and paid.

[Gaber]

[Ukon]

[Cstock]

Varies wildly from school to school and principal to principal. there's no overall standard the Principals must follow. Becoming a principal is like becoming a vassal. You get some land and some serfs and you do what you like.

[ccikulin]

Work for GEPIK. They just changed our contracts so we get 20days paid vacation instead of the old 14 and you can get 2 weeks home leave if you renew, so a renewing teacher gets 6 weeks vacation. Desk warming crap all depends on teh school I guess. I go home early on exam days and don't do much desk warming at all.

Got a nice officetel. much bigger than I expected.

Most people in GEPIK can pick where they want to go, (if they know what they're doing).

Overall it's a pretty good deal right now. However, I know several people who just have asshole principals or VP's that make their job a lot harder. Some people desk warming 8:30-4:30 on test days and breaks. All depends on your school and your attitude I guess.

[nuthatch]

Cstock wrote: