Korean Job Discussion Forums

KoreaninKorea · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Incheon

As I read this, I couldn't help but think that the Korean goverment was out to screw more native English teachers. A monthly housing allowance of 900,000 won is great, but the 10-15 million won deposit is too much for many of us teachers (with college debt). If I just signed, I would have no choice but to pay for my plane ticket back home. What do you think? What would you do in their shoes?

andrewchon · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject:

This is turning out to be like the Silicon Valley, Santa Clara county Ca. Don't know if it is still true now but during the height of internet boom virtually nobody could afford to live there.

Gibberish · Joined: 29 Aug 2009

It's pretty dumb to move to one of the most expensive areas of Korea, and the entire world, without making sure you can afford it or your school is taking complete care of the housing situation.

That said, Gangnam is the only place I ever want to live in Korea.

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

benji · Joined: 21 Jul 2009

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Are we still talking about this?

Only 100 teachers were hired for Gangnam...I bet there are more teachers working in that Pagoda building at Gangnam Station. Where does it say you need 10-15mil key money? There are places that you can pay only monthly rent and 900,000 is PLENTY of money for doing just that. If anything I am surprised that there have been no complaints of teachers having to FURNISH a place. For short-term teachers that is more of a kick in the balls than having to actually find a place. Also, who said you have to live in Gangnam?

Gibberish · Joined: 29 Aug 2009

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

^

Well, I guess it is subjective. For me, Hannam, Yonhee, and Bangbae are all better places to live (in Seoul). Otherwise, Songdo looks very promising.

kabrams · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Location: your Dad's house

Wow, the thing that bothers me the most is that poorly written article. Seriously, the bias practically hits you in the face.

It's actually quite shocking.

Shocked

steveinincheon · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Location: in The Shadows of Gyeyangsan

You couldn't pay me enough to live in Gangnam.

orosee · Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Location: Hannam-dong, Seoul

Well, who says that you have to live where you work? A 15 minute subway ride should allow anyone to save more from those 900K Won than it takes to pay for the commute.

Also I find the references to "native English teachers" in the article very confusing. It makes it sound as if this is about Korean nationals (natives, as in "the native flora and fauna") rather than foreigners. What happened to he discriminatingly clear "foreign English teachers"?

red_devil · Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Location: Korea

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

This is a great deal for F-2 teachers. In that case, I'd take it. If I were a new teacher on an E-2, I would probably leave it due to having to front my own key money.

Those of you in that situation should look for cheaper places around the olive-colored line, just North of the river.

I still feel this is a precursor to not paying as much overall for housing, or removing the key money in all future contracts for public school jobs..... basically meaning an eventual pay cut. In the short run, this is a great thing for F-series teachers. Later, it won't be.

It would be rather hilarious if a large percentage of teachers decided to "leave it" and went home. I guarantee that if that happened, you'd see the school district get all whiny and pissy, throw verbal threats, and start telling people they'd never be able to work in Korea again. This is a fairly typical Korean management response to when they attempt to act like a tough guy and people call their bluff. It's been documented numerous times on here, and I've seen it at a past school too. Of course, other than for their own public school jobs, they couldn't control that. I've seen the exact same thing take place in Korean companies as well.

There was a recent story on this board about a university attempting to strong-arm teachers into a poorer contract... anyone have the link? The new boss said, "take it or leave it" to the foreigners, and one of the old-timers got a new job and turned in his resignation the next day. The boss went absolute ape-hit and threatened to sue, even though everything was legal and the employee was finishing out his contract.

Lunar Groove Gardener · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Location: 1987 Subaru

People are definitely entitled to get whatever is stipulated in the contract which they sign.

If they are offered a new contract in which conditions are not agreeable, don't sign.

When offered a contract for a good job, what kind of twit protests instead of negotiates? Makes no sense. Commute if you cannot afford the key money, transfer or quit.

It is valid to point out that the protesters claiming unfair treatment are actually being treated extremely well as measured by the current standard both here and in other countries.

While I'm glad that they are allowed to protest, I think they are childlike and lack common sense in refusing to seek accommodation where they can afford it. I would not hire them.

What would they do at home? Or in another country?
Protest because they don't want to find their own apartment?
No, they'd simply have to leave.

flakfizer · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject:

What the heck does the pay in France have to do with anything? And can you believe those French don't provide airfare for those English speakers? Dang, they'll have to drive all the way through the chunnel to get there.