Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Blue Flower]

hi - I've been offered a job in Anyang, teaching children, 1.9 million won which is apparantly good for a kiwi teacher (?), it is unassisted, though apparantly I will be taking the kids for trips etc, I get 5 days annual leave, which can't be taken all at once - only 2 days together, the recruiter is Geoff Benning from Christchurch NZ - teach-in-korea.com. Does this sound alright? I'm not too impressed with the holiday allocation, so will see about that. I'm just a little bit freaked out about getting to Korea and then finding out that I've been f**ked up the arse. so any help would be appreciated by this complete novice.

[itchy]

yeah

[justagirl]

Hi--just a few thoughts for you!
I'd also ask about the class time hours. After a year of having some morning classes, I am SO happy that my next contract will be from 3-9.
I'd ask for the exact hours to be written into the contract. Nothing is worse than working random hours between 9 am and 7 pm...hour on, hour off...two hours teaching...another break...will this day never end??

On the topic of hours, will you be teaching more than 120 a month? Many more than that gets exhausting. It may seem like, "Oh, I'm only working 30 hours a week," but the added strains of preparation, living in another culture, etc, really make 30 hours a week as much as you'd probably want to handle.

Another thought--how many students per class, and how many kindergarten classes? The little ones aren't too horrible, but is is definitely more draining to teach them. If you are teaching morning AND afternoon and have lots of tykes, that will wear you out quickly.

I agree that 5 days is WAY too short. The standard is 2 weeks (full weeks, so 9 days if you count the weekends on each side). One would be in the summer, the other in the winter. Also check to see if these are going to be paid vacations.

The wage is pretty normal, but again, if you're working split-shift, lots of kindy-kids, and more than 120/month, it's not too marvelous of a deal.

I have never heard of your recruiter...sorry I can't help you there!

If you'd like to repost with more details or ask more questions, I'd be glad to help as much as I can.

[Zyzyfer]

[Blue Flower]

Thanks for the help guys. I will be mainly teaching kindergarten kiddies, but with some older children coming in the afternoons. I've been told there will be 4 - 6 children per class, and 8 - 10 max (which is VERY small compared to what I am used to.) So do you all think I should state that I want 2 weeks holidays? 1 week in summer, and 1 in winter? I have got a teaching diploma, so I have taught before, but only secondary school. I'm getting pretty excited about the whole prospect. But of course, I don't want to feel taken advantage of, or ripped off. I'm not doing this just to make money either, I am genuinely looking forward to experiencing another culture, which is another reason I want the experience to be as good as possible.

[mad-artist]

You are a qualified teacher with experience. DON'T take this contract. Look around more. I'm an Australian high school Art teacher, was offered 1.8..........demanded 2 and got it. Most teachers here are NOT qualified teachers and you are. I'm now on 2.5 in my second contract with same school. Be firm. Your accent will tone down once you are here. Good luck. ps..........the holiday situation is 5 days(including weekend) summer and 5 days winter. That's Korea. I'm used to 3 months holidays with full pay.

[Zyzyfer]

[paul]

Don't settle for anything less than 2.2 million won, your own apartment, a cell phone and a live in maid, preferably a young Filipina.

[Tiger Beer]