Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nyenglish]

I recently arrived in Bundang on a GEPIK contract. Those on a GEPIK could you answer a few questions?

1. I'm getting the feeling GEPIK is a pretty good deal to have...It's my first contract in Korea but 3rd year teaching ESL...Are you happy with the terms and contract overall?

2. I was told I'd have to be quarantined for a week bc of swine flu worries...they asked me to work first on this Saturday...is this considered overtime still? My first lesson will be on Monday.

if so...
2.5 Since our contract states that we dont' work on Saturday, Sunday and national holidays, should I decline to work?

3. Do you have any experience with the summer camps? We are still required to do the 8 hour days, correct? What is the summer like in your experience?

I realize it will differ from school to school, but any feedback is helpful...

Thanks

[farrepatt]

I've been working for GEPIK for almost two years now. I did a year in Japan before GEPIK. I'd say that GEPIK can be pretty good, but it can also be horrible. It really depends on your school.

Some schools (like mine) are very understanding and generally try to make my life easier.

Others (like my wife's) try to squeeze every ounce out of her. They make her come in on school holidays (while the Korean teachers are off) and teach camps every week she isn't taking holidays. I'm constantly amazed at how different our schools act and interpret our contracts.

I'd be surprised if you got overtime for coming in on Saturday. They're probably planning to have you teach starting from Monday so they might want you to get somewhat familiar with the school first. It might not be a bad idea if it's your first day. Of course at the same time you probably don't want them to expect you to come in on other Saturdays. Maybe you could suggest swinging by. So you'd come in a bit later for just a couple of hours. Then it wouldn't be like you were working on the Saturday.

I find Summer camps to be pretty easy. You can't be asked to teach more than 20 hours a week. I do mine from 9 until 12:10 each day and then go home (at an elementary school 1 hour = 40 minutes of teaching). Some schools might not let you leave early. My old VP told me I could go once I was prepared for the next day and I haven't bothered to ask my new VP. I just go when I'm done.

I enjoy the summer and winter camps because my classes are fairly small (15 or so) and the school is mostly empty.

Hope this helps.

[nyenglish]

It is helpful, thanks. I'm very guarded because of the horror stories on this forum, but I generally love teaching and love helping out. That's why I'm here.

They've also been really accomodating so far. (got me a free cell phone, brought me food, set up the apartment etc...)

I'll do the "can only swing by for a couple of hours thing"...

[ThingsComeAround]

If I were you, I'd decline working on Sat.
Taking that, they'd expect you to always work on Sat. (could be taken to that extreme) Tell them you are 'tired' from your flight. See them Monday.

Good Luck

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Otherside]

Farrepatt pretty much tells it like it is.

Look at your contract. It says you don't work Saturdays, so don't start - especially right off the bat, simple as that. If an opportunity for extra work (paid well ofc) comes up and you are interested, discuss it and do it on your terms. Right now, you don't really want to be negotiating, nor talking about money (appearing greedy), additionally, you want to appear accomodating but fair, and not a pushover...so don't bend right now...very hard to change once you have set a precedent.

Secondly, Camps. Varies amongst schools. Contract says: 20 classes a week during summer, so that's 4 classes a day or so. However, they MAY expect you to spend the whole day at school or they may let you go home early. It's a lottery. Some schools may even only ask for 1 or 2 weeks of camp and give you the extra time off for free others will you make you work every single day of the vacation (except your paid-leave days) as a camp.

Finally, GEPIK is a pretty decent gig. Vacation is quite good (especially if you renew) and each city runs its own show to a large degree. The people in charge of my city are pretty helpful and have helped with issues such as schools giving teachers time off to go to the bank etc. Obviously each city is different, and each school is different.

[nyenglish]