Korean Job Discussion Forums

[martinpil]

I have an agent who has promised me a contract with SMOE. I have ten years experience as a secondary teacher, although only about 3 or 4 as an EFL teacher. I am expecting around 2.6-2.7m a month.

Is this about r ight?And my recruiter won't take a cut will he or screw me over my flight 1.3m if it costs less will he?

He keeps reitterating that we will be working for
HIM etc... so I am worried what this means.. surely I woud be employed by SMOE and he would just get his commission for recruiting me from SMOE and thereafter he wouldn't need to get involved? But the way he has worded it makes me wonder...anyone know who you are actually employed by and paid by?

[alphakennyone]

You need to do your research. No you will not be working for your recruiter. You won't even talk to him again after you're in Korea. You will work for SMOE/your school district.

But sorry, you are way off on how much money you think you will make. Your experience outside Korea stands for very little. Find SMOE's salary scale online and read it. I suspect it will be 2.2-2.3 million won. Sadly, getting an online 100 hour TEFL degree will probably bump your salary level as much as 13 years of teaching experience back home.

[martinpil]

The recruiter has already said I should get about 2.5 or 2.6, although Im hoping for 2.7 I dont know what you are talking about an online tefl for. I already have a cambridge Cert Tefla (old name for the CELTA)

I wouldnt work 9-5 for 2.2 or 2.3 after 10 years in education.

[sdsherman]

http://www.efl2korea.com/info/salaryscale.htm

[alphakennyone]

The pay scale for public schools is non-negotiable. The recruiter SHOULD be able to look at your qualifications and instantly find your salary. You can find your pay scale for SMOE here. Sorry for their spelling, "remuration."

http://www.korvia.com/index.php/eligibility-smoe.html

I'm pretty sure I've read the only experience that "counts" is experience IN Korea. I could be wrong. I know I had to really go out of my way to "prove" my experience teaching in Korea. I imagine the burden of proof will be a bit harder when talking about a language school in Britain, but others on the board might have more experience about that.

Level C: 2.5 million won per month At least TWO (2) full years of English teaching experience at accredited institutions with Master's degree in TESOL/TEFL or in English education. A teacher certification with specialization in English education with at least THREE (3) full years of English teaching experience at accredited institutions. Employed as Level D at the SMOE for TWO (2) full years.

Level B: 2.6 million won per month At least THREE (3) full years of English teaching experience at accredited institutions with Master's degree in TESOL/TEFL or in English education. At least THREE (3) full years of English teaching experience as a present public or private school teacher with a recommendation by the superintendent or the school principal. Employed as Level D at the SMOE for THREE (3) full years.

I guess the recruiter may have been right. From my understanding of this, you'd qualify for Level C as long as you can prove your teaching experience.

Great that you have a CELTA - for salary purposes, it's the same as an online TEFL certificate.

Best of luck.

[martinpil]

A CELTA is much better than an online 100hr.

Here is the recruiters salary scale.

II. TEACHER BENEFITS
Salary Structure
1) 3.0 Million Korean Won per month for TESOL/TEFL holders with 7-year teaching experience at certified organizations. Candidates with 7-year teaching experience and recommended by a superintendent. TESOL/TEFL or PH.D. holders who have proven experience in curriculum development.
2) 2.7 Million Korean Won per month for TESOL/TEFL holders with 4-year teaching experience at certified organizations or for applicants with 4-year teaching experience and recommended by their superintendent.
3) 2.6 Million Korean Won per month for TESOL/TEFL holders with 3-year teaching experience at certified organizations or for applicants with 3-year teaching experience and recommended by their superintendent.
4) 2.5 Million Korean Won per month for TESOL/TEFL holders with 2-year teaching experience at certified organizations or for applicants with TESOL/TEFL certificate and 3-year teaching experience.
5) 2.4 Million Korean Won per month for TESOL/TEFL holders with one-year teaching experience or applicants with TESOL/TEFL certificate and 2-year teaching experience or applicants holding English teaching-related Bachelor�s degree and any teaching experience.
6) 2.3 Million Korean Won per month for TESOL/TEFL holders and applicants with English teaching-related master�s degree or applicants with education-related master's degree and one-year teaching experience.
7) 2.0 - 2.3 Million Korean Won per month for applicants with TESOL/TEFL Certificate or applicants with bachelor�s degree in education or applicants with bachelor's degree in English, English Education, English Literature, or Linguistics or Masters degree holders in any field.
1.8 Million Korean Won per month for Bachelor's degree holders.

[alphakennyone]

Mate, for the third time, of course a CELTA is better. I'm just saying as far as salaries in Korea go, it's equivalent to a 100hr online cert. Just like the 100hr online cert and the CELTA both are equivalent to a Master's degree holder's salary if both applicants have zero experience. It's right there on the pay scale.

It doesn't really reward hard work, but that's their system. Even if you get your 2.7 million won, you'll only be making 400,000 won a month more than me with my 2 years hagwon experience (in Korea, they really didn't care about my work experience in the States), 100-hr online cert, and non-education related BA. It's unfair and foolish, but that's how the ball bounces in the public school pay structure.

Your recruiter's salary structure sounds a bit different from my link and also sdsherman's link. who is your recruiter?

[blackjack]

[alphakennyone]

That's what I'm trying to hint at, but he doesn't want to believe it.

[martinpil]

he says he knows an old smoe official who is close to the korean president. he does not seem to have a website I can see. They will have an office to look after their teachers while theyre on a contract apparently. Thats all I know.

[alphakennyone]

[martinpil]

[Spoono]

[alphakennyone]

[martinpil]

his advert is here

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=38102

I just applied to it thinking it is bonafide.