Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cornholio1]

For all you teachers out there on E-2/F-2/F-5 do not take a public school job offering less than 2.5 mill. That should be for beginner teachers with no experience whatsoever.I have been here for the past almost nine years, and the wages have been pretty steady for most beginners for the better part of that. They were constantly around 2.0 for first year teachers. That's for thirty hours a week too. Now they are getting a bit better but not right just yet. If you knew what the schools are actually authorized to pay even for a beginning teacher you would feel the same as I do. Don't get me wrong, I don't teach at a public school for exactly that reason.I make on a good year between 6 and 8 million without breaking my back too much if I push it I can make more than 10 but I have a child now and I want more time with her. Anyways, the point I'm trying to make is don't sell yourself out for a measley 2.2 or even 2.3. I know the biggest arguement is the vacation and the amount of time you end up working. Well, those are great arguements are great for silly people who have absolutely no idea about really descent hagwans. There are hagwans out ther with the same amount of vacation and working hours, with more pay. The recruiters are getting fat off our work and most of us are oblivious to it. On the average they make 2-4 million for bringing a teacher over, then a bonus if you finish your contract as well. I know my friend became one of them. Anyhow, just don't get fooled. Don't settle for less than 2.4 or 2.5 for your first year at public schools. For hagwans you kinda have to feel your way around for the good ones and if you can speak Korean it sure helps in the negotiation process. Most hagwans hire on the fly. They usually only give their recruiters a months notice and in those situations, take special advantage of the boss' ignorance. Let him/her know. If you need a teacher by next month I am going to need much more money by next month. It's as simple as that. Keep your wits and your money don't let this vicious cycle transpire any longer. The next time a recruiter approaches, calls, emails you with some crappy job with low pay, let him know that you know how much you want and won't settle for a single won less.
Thank you.....

The disgruntled babysitter(oops, I meant English teacher.)

[NoSimpleHighway]

ummm
public school salaries are not negotiable. I personally know over 50 PS teachers including myself and the salary levels are set. However I hardly do any work at all ever for my measly 2.2 million while I know people who work their asses off for the same salary at Kinder-factory hagwons. Unless you have been around forever and have great connex you aren't going to be pulling the numbers you've suggested. Newbs will be lucky to get 2.2 million with out getting it up the rear in terms of workload. You know what - I'm gonna call BS on your entire post - TROLL!

[naturegirl321]

I was offered a job with EPIK. There's a topped out salary of something like only 2.7 and that's if you re-sign or have tons of experience. I think that for the little amount of prep you have to do, PS jobs are ok.

For the record, I worked at one in Gangnam, I basically taught the same four lessons over and over, about 6 times a week.

Plenty of desk warming time means that you get paid to study Korean, or an MA. The other teachers, Korean teachers, just slept or listened to music.

[cornholio1]

Wow, it looks like nosimplehighway has a lot of positive and intelligent insight into this whole matter and It also seems like I know absolutely nothing about what I'm talking about. NO. Hey I said outright that you have to find a good hagwan to get the workload of a p.s. but they are out there for you lazy bastards that like them. for the pay thing, I think you are either ignorant or stupid or maybe a combination of both, I'm not too sure about that. I clearly wrote that The contracts are controlled by recruiters and not the schools. If you look on www.worknplay.co.kr or englishspectrum.com you can find several public school job positions on advertisement now for more than 2.7.
The recruiters love nosimplehighway, I'm sure of it. That kind of ignorance is just proliforating the problem that is going on. If no one takes the jobs for what the recruiters are offering, they are going to be forced to give up more of their commission and get it back to where it belongs, in the teacher's bank account. Nosimplehighway, I'm sure you've been here forever working an easy p.s. job and love the fact that you're getting a whopping 2.2 but wouldn't you appreciate getting a bit more? Why must you be so negative when I am only writing to help the problem? You my friend seem to be a great big loser.
Naturegirl the 2.7 they are telling you the jobs top out at is a load of crap. OK, I do have a lot of experience but even as long ago as 2 years ago the salary for Incheon was topped out at 2.9 and the school also offered a housing allowance of 300,000 which makes it 3.2. After squeezing the manager of the recruiting company and letting him know that I knew how much he was getting off of me they upped the "topped out" salary another 300,000 to get me. Just don't believe the hype.
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[Dodgy Al]

[sulperman]

So it is true what the say about pot rotting your brain. That is some nonsensical, ill-informed, unrealistic, odd advice.

[Seoul'n'Corea]

[some waygug-in]

That's because no matter what credentials you hold, in Korean public schools you can only be "a teaching assistant".

Private schools are another kettle of fish.

[The Goalie]

[outkast_3000]

[runthegauntlet]

[runthegauntlet]

[runthegauntlet]

[runthegauntlet]

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