Korean Job Discussion Forums

teacher! · Joined: 19 Jul 2009

I have gotten through the first round of the application process for a test editor position at SNU. Has anybody worked there in this position before or worked there presently? At present, I've been teaching for four years straight and wouldn't mind a desk job for a while. Thanks in advance for anyone who knows something.

teacher! · Joined: 19 Jul 2009

nobody? nobody at all at SNU? anyone with any kind of experience there would be appreciated, thanks.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Good luck with that. Koreans take test taking to a whole different level. Not necessarily in a good way.

latereducator · Joined: 29 May 2009

I'm looking at such a position with SNU, too, but I haven't been able to find much in the way of posts from people who have worked there or know anything at all about what might be expected. The closest thread I found was this one: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=1606979, which mentions that the LEI suffers from poor management and a high turnover rate. Will let you know if I find anything, and I hope you will do likewise.

Hamlet · Joined: 18 Mar 2008

I don't work at SNU, but I do the exact same thing for another company. If you take that job, you'll be writing and editing test questions for TEPS. I saw the SNU job posted on Daves and thought of applying for it because it comes with 4 weeks of vacation, which is very good for publishing work.

The Pros, in my opinion:
The job feels much more professional than teaching kids in a hagwan.

I've been doing this work for 4 years. Now on my resume I have solid experience in the publishing industry, which is much better than 4 years experience teaching English.

I have 9 published books with my name on the cover, which are fun to show visitors!

I like the work because I like researching and writing.

The Cons, in my opinion,
If you're used to teaching, you will be in shock when after an 8 hour day you have not spoken a word to anyone. If you need interaction with people to be happy, you may not like this work.

It's the same damn thing every day. For example, I'm writing a book that has 20 sets of questions and dialogs. One test has 40 questions. Thats 800 questions. I can write 5 sets of questions and dialogs in one day, so 25 in a week, 100 per month...that's 8 months for one project writing dialog after dialog after dialog...after dialog...you get the point.

...got to get back to my dialogs now. Hope that info helps.

teacher! · Joined: 19 Jul 2009

hey, thanks for the input. not talking to anyone all days sounds fine to me for a while!

The evil penguin · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:43 pm Post subject:

Hamlet · Joined: 18 Mar 2008

pushpin fantasies · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Location: Seoul

just out of curiosity, what kind of requirements did SNU have for that position? what about requirements on the part of immigration?

Hamlet · Joined: 18 Mar 2008

SNU wanted a masters, I believe.

If they use the same visa as my publishing company, it's an E7, and it's a breeze as far as immigration is concerned.

...no Criminal Background Check
...no health check
...no ridiculous consulate interview
...and it can be renewed every year without leaving the country.

teacher! · Joined: 19 Jul 2009

pushpin fantasies · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Location: Seoul

interesting... thank you both Smile

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

I'll be really interested to hear what the salary is for that job. Please let us know if you hear anything. I'll guess around 2.5 million per month.

As for housing, try to get into the provided housing... especially if you're married.

If you're single, you'll get a studio apartment, but it's a nice studio, and has a washing machine and air-conditioner. If you're married, you'll get a 2-bedroom apartment and it's really big (from Seoul standards).

As with most jobs, I would expect some random headaches with the SNU job (due to admin-related issues) but you don't have to worry about your contract. Getting paid on time, receiving pension, getting severance, or getting all the vacation you're entitled to, is something that you can 100% count on getting.

SNU might not always be perfect, but from a "legal" standpoint they are nothing but straight-arrow and completely by the book.

Oh, and the free Korean classes are a nice perk as well.

One negative is that I'm not sure if you'll get much (or any) overtime through that position.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

The Grumpy Senator · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Location: Up and down the 6 line

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

Sounds like a rumour...

actually... you even completely worded it like nothing other than a rumour.

Did that happen? I never heard of that. If it's true, then just direct me to the link so I can read about it.

Besides, that would be CEP anyways, which is a different department. The OP is referring to the LEI.

Also, if your story is true...it said the person got fired. I would guess that means they are "straight arrow" and most likely the workers got their money.

Meanwhile, I've never heard of such a story.