Korean Job Discussion Forums

DomesticPelican · Joined: 25 Sep 2009

First of all, hi.

This is my first post here.

I just finished graduate school and now have my Masters in Education. I do not have any experience teaching children in the classroom, but I do have experience teaching at the college level (I was a GA for 18 months) and have experience working with children. Further, my uncle married a Korean woman while overseas and they have since adopted a Korean boy. As he has grown up, I have helped him with his English skills and helped him adjust to American culture. After finishing school in August, I've decided I want to travel for a year (at least) and teach in South Korea.

That was my brief introduction, and now I will go into my concerns. If this isn't the board for this, then I do apologize. I'm still trying to figure everything out...

I've read over the facts about the various cities and I have spoken with my aunt about where I want to live, don't want to live, etc etc. I definitely want to live within or very close to a large city, preferably Seoul or Busan. As for the private or public thing, I'm pretty sure I will be teaching at a hagwon. I was recently offered a job in Daegu, teaching about 110 hours per month...with some overtime opportunities as well. The monthly salary is 2.2 million won.

Is this salary extremely low? Should I be looking for more since I have my Masters in Education? Will I hate Daegu or is it an okay place? I will be paying about $400 USD/month in student loan payments (it sucks, I know) but I'm still wanting to save at least a little bit of money. Do you think that will be possible? I don't spend a ton of money but I do like to go out from time to time at least...

Things I really want in the city:
- Other English-speaking people to interact with
- Safety (pretty sure most cities here are safe)
- Things to do (bars, shopping, beaches, sports, etc etc)
- Good food!

I have so many more questions, but I will just leave it at that for now. I'm not trying to bombard you people, I just want to be 100% sure before making any kind of decision.

Thanks!

ippy · Joined: 25 Aug 2009

I know nothing about daegu except this one thing. Its the closest city to muju. For that reason alone id be peachy keen to live there. I mean, this is my first year in korea, and all opinion is that the snow sucks, but muju seems like itll be alright while im killing time waiting for february and a full month of playing in japan. So add easy access to snowboarding/skiing to your pro/con list. Smile

OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

daegu is not close to muju.......daejeon is much closer and its still an hour drive to muju.

DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP · Joined: 28 May 2009 Location: Electron cloud

ippy · Joined: 25 Aug 2009

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

With your experience you shouldn't be wasting time at hagwons. A Masters in Education gives you an edge over so many others. Whatever a GA is sounds like it would get through to a few interviews.

Uni jobs here are more about who you though. And most hire in country. If you're young then cut you teeth on a haggie job. Just remember you can't simply switch jobs when you get here.

There are also adult hagwons in Korea always looking for people. Though beware the split shift!

Make sure you learn the difference between a uniwon and a straight up university gig.

storysinger81 · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Location: Daegu

The last poster suggested a Uni--that will be difficult to secure from out of the country.

Daegu's great. 2.2 is plenty for your loans and living well, though you could get more at a public school with teacher certification. It's harder to get good offers on your first go around, even if you're qualified. If you plan to be here for just one year, don't worry about the money and just pick a school that will support a good experience. In the end, it will save you the money you'd blow trying to escape your work stress/misery.

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

andrewchon · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:43 pm Post subject:

Q: doesn't the MEd have some practice teaching at a real school? Wouldn't that count towards teaching experience?

DomesticPelican · Joined: 25 Sep 2009

DomesticPelican · Joined: 25 Sep 2009

Trust me, I've definitely thought about the university jobs. The only problem is that I can't really find any openings. I have seen a few posted on here, but not many. Is there another place you would suggest looking?

I've thought about public jobs as well, but it seems that most of the positions won't be available until next February. I'd prefer not to wait that long.

Nearly everyone has told me that university jobs are the way to go (for me at least), and I'm certainly interested in them if I can find some opportunities.