Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KoreanAmbition]

Hajima,

I'm glad you can confirm the OT wasn't in the ad. That means they told me on the phone. The reason I know that I'm not mistaken about their quote for OT payment is because I only applied to 5 jobs; SKKU was 1 of them, and I went to interviews at the other 4. I have to be honest, I was shocked when I heard the rates, and I even double-checked just in case I was wrong. I remember referring to the "credit" vs. "non-credit" classes in a normal sentence but saying it like this, "So you mean the non-credit classes at 28,000 won per hour are scheduled at blah blah...". Surprisingly, there were no corrections ever. Also, they told me a salary of 3.1 million, and I calculated the OT at about 36 hours with a low rate, bringing the grand total to 4.0 million. Anyways, hopefully for Naturegirl's sake that the higher rates are in effect.

I do remember our earlier discussion about how you, and I, enjoy when they give a bunch of mandatory OT...that is, if the rate is good. The problem with the SKKU job was that they didn't seem to want to say they could guarantee block shifts of any sort. It sounded like shifts could be all over the place, and then with the mandatory OT it sounded like they would be at 8am and 6pm. I didn't like the sounds of that. It seemed to me there could be a lot of wasted time in between classes. Even if I'd known the OT was at a higher rate, I still think it sounds like the way they schedule could be rather inconvenient, especially the 6pm shifts. I mean, the base is just 15 hours, so you can't be working next to 8am and 6pm all the time... it's not possible. I was rather worried about having some big annoying gaps in my schedule.

By the way, I don't mind you correcting my stats....we're here to make sure we're giving the proper info.

[naturegirl321]

[makemischief]

SKKU:
Non credit is around 32.
Credit around 53.

If I'm not mistaken KA is talking about the TESOL not unigwon job? The numbers he lists line up for that one...but not for the one Naturegirl was offered.

You get full vacation- though some teachers elect to do intensive programs. No one has been forced to in the last 5 years.

MANY teachers work the semi-lucrative overtime credit classes, but I don't know anyone remotely close to 24 hours a week. out of around 50-60 teachers (Suwon and Seoul), perhaps a handful come close to that by choice.

Schedules can be great or yuck your first semester depending on luck. 2nd semester you have a lot more choice in the matter. While not forced, 1st semester teachers are "encouraged" to do one overtime non credit class (at 8 if you have a morning shift, at 6 if you have an afternoon shift- on or the other- not both).

No housing/stipend is offered in the unigwon division- though the TESOL department offers 300,000 (but a lower paycheck, depending on qualifications, etc.). Cheap housing in Suwon has not been hard in the past for teachers to find (and you can opt often to pay for on campus school housing, cheapish but just OK ... you're better finding your own if you can). Seoul is...trickier- but again SKKU housing is available. Decent but not great.

Good luck with getting the Masters sorted Naturegirl!

[naturegirl321]

The uni was closed today, the 30th. They're all on a retreat. HOw nice.

KA might be right. I know SKKU DID have two adverts. One for the TESOl, which was to train teachers. And a normal one, to teach the students.

I will definitely do the extra hours.

Seriously, Korea will be a cakewalk compared to Peru.

Except for housing. 5K usd, I don't HAVE that. Dorm housing for me, then trying to find a place without having to pay key money. Any idea who much a simple, decent place, with one bedroom, but a separate living room /dining room /kitchen? I mean, just two rooms total. How much would htat run me? I don't need bells, buzszers and whilstles, serioulsy, if you saw some of the places whereI lived, you'd probably cry THink Plywood walls.

I went online and there are 14 NET teachers on Suwon campus.

I will happily take any extra classes I'm given. Korea's the chance for me to get out of the third world.

Anyone happen to know if there's a re-signing limit? Two years, etc?

For the record, dorm housing will run about 660,000 a month. I'll be there for four months, that's the limit, my husbhand won't be with me, so it should be fine. After that, we'll have to find something cheap. If anyone knows about housing, please let me knwo.

[hajima 99]

Sounds like makesmischief knows what he's talking about. I was told the same ie. if you work a morning block, you may be given an 8AM non-credit class at the 33,000 to 40,000W/hour, and if you work the afternoon block, you may be given the 6PM non-credit class, not both, to avoid the extended gaps between classes that you were talking about KoreanAmbition (they don't force you to stay for both an 8AM and 6PM class in the same day, unless by choice). Didn't sound so bad.

I also heard that teachers have never been forced to do a 5-week camp in several years, although many have elected to. They can enjoy a full 4-5 months paid vacation if they desire.

[naturegirl321]

[hajima 99]

[naturegirl321]

Yes, but the housing is super expensive, at least in Suwon. I mean 660,000 for a dorm? That's a lot and limit of 4 months before you have to leave and find your own housing.

[KoreanAmbition]

Makemischief, Hajima,

No offense, but I'm not saying my information was correct. I simply said that's what I was told by SKKU. You guys have some affiliation (of some sort) with SKKU so maybe that's why you keep trying to think of scenarios for why I have the wrong numbers. Unfortunately, there was no other job. I applied for the SKKU job... I didn't have anything to do with the TESOL job. (If I'm correct, the SKKU TESOL job came out after the other, but I can't remember.) Once again, I only applied to 5 jobs... it's impossible to confuse the details.

1) How did I find out information about the 8am and 6pm non-credit classes? Those weren't in the job ad.

2) How did I go into SKKU and meet the same person I'd talked to about 3 times on the phone and exchanged emails with?


Now, I am glad that you guys have the proper information because I prefer to know the accurate details. Knowing that information changes my impression of the job in a more positive way.

The unfortunate truth is just that the "person" who was in charge of hiring made several mistakes when conveying the information to me. The OT rate was wrong, the number of OT hours was wrong... me being told that I would "probably" have to teach a camp was wrong, since it's never been enforced. For all I know the information about writing classes in first semester term followed by presentation classes in the second semester, might also be wrong. I have no idea.

I do have something I'm curious about, so hopefully makemischief can shed some light on it.

-"How many days a week do the SKKU teachers have to teach classes?"
-"What type of daily teaching schedule is usually followed?"
-"Are all classes 3 hours in length, or 2 times 1.5 hours, etc?"

I know they teach 15 hours, I'm just curious how they are spread through the week. Since you guys know a lot of the accurate details it would be nice to know more.

Cheers


Edited: Found the name of the person. Kim, HeeKyoung (from the Sungkyun LI)

[hajima 99]

KoreanAmbition- don't worry about it. I'm getting the impression that you're getting a little defensive. I never denied that the information you provided was actually said to you or not, nor did I dispute that you ever picked up a phone or wrote an email, so I'm a little puzzled why you're going out of your way to prove that you did in the previous post.

You relayed some information on Dave's that was not completely accurate, and we rectified that. Simple as that. As you said: that's what this forum is for, right? I have no idea what was said to you over the phone. It is unfortunate if certain details, that aren't factual, deterred you from attending the interview however.

Apologies if you felt I was implying that you're "a liar," because that in no way was the intention.

Makesmischief it would seem, can probably answer your other questions. Maybe he can also tell us if his answers apply to both campuses. Happy new year all!

[KoreanAmbition]

Hajima,

I sent a pm to you.



Makemischief, can you answers those questions above about days per week, hours per day, and scheduling?

[makemischief]

-"How many days a week do the SKKU teachers have to teach classes?"

4 or 5. First semester usually 5 (though some get lucky). Second semester= greater choice.

-"What type of daily teaching schedule is usually followed?"
Usually fairly tightly blocked. 9-1:115 or 1:30 (or 12) to 6.
-"Are all classes 3 hours in length, or 2 times 1.5 hours, etc?"

All normal classes are 75 minutes twice a week with a 15 minute gap between classes. Some special and optional credit/non credit classes follow different schedules.

[KoreanAmbition]

[makemischief]

Just 5 sets of 75 minute classes: 12.5 hours a week teaching required.

perhaps i don't understand the other question? a typical teaching day if you are on the morning shift would be come in and teach at 9 (or 8 if you have a non-credit class) and be done by 1:15. This can be slightly shorter some days depending on the schedule you choose- or longer if it is your first semester and you get bad luck and have gaps.

Afternoon shift is the same but starts at 12 or 1:15 and has the potential non-credit class at the end of the day. Hope that makes sense.

I am a bit confused as to why you want to know- just out of curiosity? I'm wondering because you said you turned down their interview offer.

Cheers and good luck to whomever does end up working there- it's a nice environment- I've got friends still at both campuses.

[naturegirl321]

So you teach the SAME class, five times a week. Same level, same material, just different students?