Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ajl1239]

Friends,

If these questions were addressed elsewhere, I apologize. I'm dealing with a huge move and applying for jobs right now so I haven't had a ton of time to look through older posts. Thank you very much in advance for your help and patience.

I am looking to head to Korea for a "transition year" between Teach for America and graduate school next year. I am concerned, however, about how challenging it might be to work a one-year contract from August to August considering that most graduate schools in America begin at the end of August.

Have any ESL teachers found success with negotiating 9, 10 or 11 month contracts at private "hagwons" in Korea? Would this "ever" be possible with one of the big guys like CDI?

Also, while this would probably not be ethical, the other thing that I am considering doing is signing a 12-month contract and then potentially breaking it early (yes, I realize I would lose the airfare, severance pay and pension). While I would hope to avoid this scenario, does anyone have any experience having done something like that successfully?

Thanks very much for your time and advice,

J

[ajl1239]

Bump.

[afsjesse]

I know people who have signed a year contract and have verbally stated they will leave after 6 months. According to Korean Immigration (I think), you have to sign a year contract.

Although there is a guy who works for EPIK in the next town over that did secure a 6 month contract that ends in August. I think if you went into a job honestly and stated your needs, you would find some Hagwon or even a PS? that would be willing to accomodate you.

Good Luck

Jesse

[ajl1239]

Thanks, Jesse.

Do you know what company that person worked with? Also, do you think that if one signed a one-year contract and then just "left" around month 10-11 there are any financial penalties besides potentially losing the flight and/or pension money?

[afsjesse]

Honestly it all depends on your employer. Some contracts state that you must pay back the recruiter and visa fee if you leave early. I would stride very carefully if you don't go into a job with their knowledge of you leaving early.

1. If they pay you on time and everything moneywise and with the way they treat you is good, I would give them proper notice.

2. If they treat you bad and pay is late. I would not give any notice of leaving due to the fact that they probably wouldn't pay for your last month of work. And they would know that you are leaving which in turn make a Labor Board dispute unviable.

I worked for a bad hagwon and hated it, especially near the end. I got screwed out of 800k won but I did get a fairly smooth trasition to my new job.

To be honest I would just search for a job and be honest with them and say that you will be leaving after 9 months. Take a look at the contract and post it here for comment. Many people, including I would be happy to look at it and comment on any "traps" that could get you snaggled up.

I'm not sure what recruiter my friend used, but it really doesn't matter because he works for Uljin County Public Schools. The county program hires directly outside of EPIK and was in need of people to work in REALLY rural areas. Think travelling 2 hours for a can of deodorant. And there are not any new openings for Sept., well there is 1 but it's basically over applied for already.

I'd prefer a PS job but you may not get one because of you leaving early. I would contact Rowan at ESL PLANET and see if he could help you out. If he cant, I've heard good things about Korvia and Footprints.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

[ajl1239]

Wow, you are awesome, Jesse.

Heard good or bad things about Aclipse? I'm currently working with them, but have a Footprints interview on Monday.

[afsjesse]

I don't know anything about Aclipse that I can attest to. However I did a quick search on an unnoffical "Dave's" search and found some red flags maybe. Just type in their name and judge for yourself.

http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=006359271486458796786%3A_ooozypbm6u

Good luck in your search and PLEASE take it from when I say: Don't take your first job offer like I did. I was in a rush to get here. Camer here on my very first offer and ended up in a 1/2 arsed gig. Wasn't the best, wasn't the worst. Just be picky and get a good pay with good conditions. Make sure you get references from current/former teachers, photos of the apartment if that matters to you.

And thanks for the compliment. But i'm not that great.

Suerte,
Jesse

[makemischief]

many private schools would jump for joy if you broke your contract and left at the 10/11 month mark, especially if they knew you were leaving the country at that time. why? they'd likely skip paying you your 12 month severance bonus and not have to pay your return airfare

you'd be saving them quite a chunk of cash.

of course a decent school would work out a pro-rated severance package... but that will be harder to find.

[dean_burrito]

I think your best bet might be to get a public school job and try to save all your vacation days till the end of your contract. You could then work August to mid July with no problem and collect your severance and pension money as well providing you with a little extra cash as you are starting grad school. But be warned not all schools would let you do this. Just thought I'd give you another cosideration.