Korean Job Discussion Forums

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

I'm thinking of joining GEPIK this next go around come September and am wondering what pay i'd get. My current contract ends Sept. 17, so i'd have to leave early to get the August round unfortunately. Is there a chance a school would let me come 3 weeks late so I could finish my EPIK contract? I'm not so sure.

Anyways, if I leave early I would have just under 2 years of teaching in Korea. 1 year hagwon, and almost a year in EPIK. The GEPIK pay says experience in accredited schools. So does that mean my hagwon gig wouldn't count and that because I leave early I would be stuck at a Level 3 payscale at 2 million won? That'd suck if thats so!

After 2 years in Korea I really like it here and want to do another year near Seoul. I don't have a TESL Cert so that doesnt help either, although I'm working on an online one, but wont be finished by the time I apply for the program.

What ya'll think, would you leave a job in the sticks making 2.4 for a job in GEPIK making 2.0-2.1 at best? What are the possibilities for overtime and/or privates?

Any info would be appreciated.

Cerriowen · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Location: Pocheon

I was under the impression that there's a big hiring rush in march and august, but that it goes on all year. Why would you want to walk away from your 2nd year contract completion bonus that close to finishing???

It's April now, and my contract just expired so the school is looking for a teacher. There are several other schools I know of that still don't have teachers. In my area, there are several teachers whose contracts are up between september and november (GEPIK).

You'd be quite foolish in my opinion to walk away from a pay increase and a end-of-contract bonus.

I had some overtime but not a lot. Best month was about 200,000 but it was random. Best part of a public school job isn't the pay, it's knowing when you are expected to work, how many classes you have, being paid on time, and not being fired for some random reason. Also 15 paid sick days and 21 paid vacation days.

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

OK let's assume I can get one for Mid-sept and I finish my contract. I get my severence and leave the bush. I'd rather have a better quality of life with 20 million people then 1 billion trees...

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

Nobody can answer the question about the pay except GEPIK. Why not try to get in contact with Daine Bae?

Are you going to give up your severence with EPIK, just so you can get on with GEPIK in the fall? If so, it seems a little foolish. There are GEPIK schools that are looking for teachers throughout the year, not just for March 1 and Sepetember 1.

This year I get 160,000 for OT classes taught from 8:30-3, and then another 270,000 OT for after school classes. You should really finish an online TESOL, like ITTT, which will bump you up a pay level. Even with 2 years of experience and a TESOL, I think you'll get 2.3 with GEPIK.

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

OP, hagwon experience does count, you just need to be able to prove it.

Based on the current GEPIK payscale, you'd be level 2 As you have a years' experience
That equals 2.1mill.

If you finish your TEFL you can be upgraded MID-contract which would put you at level 1, however due to article 8.9 in the contract you'd only move up to level 2+ (2.2mill)