Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sheeon]

Did anybody check out the new contract for Aug/Sept 2009 EPIK? For the past few years I was on 1+ level, however they've decided to lump us together with the level 1 teachers...

[E_athlete]

2.1 mil for a newb like me is going to be nice.

[cruisemonkey]

What are you talking about?

The EPIK 'Renumeration' page on the website still shows a Level 1+, and I just renewed my contract for Sept. 1 at Level 1+.

[marlow]

Yeah, where is this information?

[sheeon]

Erm, I may be wrong, but based on the contract I just received, the level 1+ doesn't seem to exist any more. My co-teacher says it could be an error, and I bloody hope it's an error, but the supervisor in charge at the provincial office wasn't there to confirm this.

[sheeon]

Cruisemonkey, did you actually complete the signing of your contract, cos I only got this info today, and I wasn't impressed at all. (well, if you're newby then 2.1 does sound much better.

This is the payscale for 2009 September

1 level/ 2,500,000 Korean Won per month
2+level/ 2,300,000 Korean Won per month
2 level/ 2,200,000 Korean Won per month
3 level/ 2,100,000 Korean Won per month


Were you positively signed as a 1+ instructor for the September?

I think this version of the contract may only be a draft, since the signings will take place at a later date, but I'm wouldn't be surprised if the payscale is genuine, since they're dead keen cutting costs.

[Otherside]

[Kurtz]

^

That's true. The EPIK pay scale doesn't encourage one to study hard and try and be somewhat of a real ESL teacher, but getting a sweet after school gig is a great way to pump up your income.

[E_athlete]

[sheeon]

The reason why they had 1+ level was to retain loyal and experienced teachers in Korea for multiple years. ( I remember 2 or 3 years ago, not many people were renewing at public schools and they really needed some sort of incentives to keep the teachers from going elsewhere).

I guess now, with the so many jobless people out there, literally hundreds of foreigners waiting to fill our places.

When I last checked the EPIK site, there were only 20 places being offered, these were all filled. (Actually, all the public school vacancies were filled except for those in Gyeonggi and Seoul, which was unheard of)

So, I guess it's put up or shut up for us long haulers.

[E_athlete]

Perhaps it may be out of my place to say this but if I was living in Korea for more than 3 yrs I would give serious thought to getting a permanent residence and a hagwon. I'd probably get a partner if the start up costs were too high. You can't seriously expect to become rich with even the highest tier salary. Have a goal in mind and walk toward it.

[espoir]

[blonde researcher]

The original poster was correct the new contracts I saw issued by EPIK today have level 1+ at 2.5 as well, same as level 1
BUT
There is now a new line in number 13 that says the following:

"The Employer may provide a special allowance to an employee who has made a great contribution to the Employer and/or who is determined to work at a special institute by the Employer"

I wonder if longer term teachers are now going to have to prove performance somehow, to get a higher salary each year?

The starting salary scales for the provinces are still higher, at 2.1, than the popular cities like Busan which is still 1.8

[marlow]

[cruisemonkey]

To everone who says they cut out Level 1+,

You do that know EPIK contracts vary by POE/MOE... right? It sounds like your province/city is screwing you. Where are you working?

I renewed as a Level 1+ (at 2.7 base). However, my employer is my school - not the POE anymore.