Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bcjinseoul]

OK, so I�m new to Dave�s, but not new to Korea. I�ve been here on-and-off for almost 4 years now. If it wasn�t for gaps and travelling, I�d be loaded by now.

I�m in the middle of my fourth year, currently with S.M.O.E. In the near future, I�m looking to put in a months notice, pay back airfare as required, and get a letter of release. Even though S.M.O.E. says �we don�t give LOR�s,� I figure it�s worth a shot�besides, I can always make a case for immigration, get an exit order and do a 24 hr. visa run to Japan.

I have all the docs, and will have a new criminal check in the mail soon. I have also heard from various sources that if you go straight from one job to another and don�t leave Korea until the visa run, the CRC is omitted, which makes my day. But better safe than sorry.

Anyway, I�m looking for a really good elementary after school program or afternoon hogwon with no kindies in Seoul. I�m also waiting for the interview results from a major women�s university in Seoul.

Between a GEPIK high school contract with no time off and a S.M.O.E. contract with a psychopath head co-teacher, I can tell you all I am DONE with conventional public school jobs in Korea, and teaching large classes with co-teachers for an extra 2-3 weeks off more than a hogwon. Forget about it. Some people get hooked up, but most people at most public schools these days are being buried alive with summer and winter camps as well as desk warming. These jobs were sweet a few years ago, not so much anymore.

If I can�t have a dream job at a major women�s university, then I would like to have an afternoon hogwon gig with no kindies or an elementary after school program. And scratch adult hogwons, getting up at 7am is one thing, working at 7am (or earlier) is something else.

As far as after school programs go, I have some basic questions:

1) If they don�t pay for housing, but pay you +2.7 M KRW a month, do they require any key money for the apartment? Do they help you find one? Is there some kind of deposit as well?

2) Some are 11-6, some are 1-5:30�someone give me a rundown on this?

3) Is co-teaching optional?

4) Are some programs illegal? Do some �go out of business?�

5) Are you provided any resources, or are you expected to make lesson plans from scratch?

6) How many kids to a class? Abilities? Most people have good experiences in such programs, I am told.

7) Full benefits (pension, insurance, etc)? I know vacation is 2 weeks like a hogwon, but most public schools give only 4 or 5, so oh well�

8) Worknplay.co.kr seems to be the place for after school program recruiters, if I do say so myself. Not so much eslcafe.com (observation).

9) What�s the story with opening a second bank account?

10) Lastly, would I be better off at an afternoon hogwon?

11) Thanks. I know I�m forgetting one or two things�

[qcat79]

hmmmm mr. bj,

i know a girl that works for one of those after-school programs. it's a really weird set up. she's given some bank book that the program (who specifically, don't know) makes her open. they drop the money in that account, then she fishes a percentage out of that account and hands it over to her principal. the bastard principal is raking in like a million won just to be part of the scheme. he's definitely not teaching any classes, that's for sure.

it's just another one of those rip-off scheme jobs out here.

i know for sure though, that since the hours are more condensed, you'll be working without any breaks except at the beginning of the day when you'll be there just before lunch.

vacation is crap. 10 days at the most. strict contract like SMOE.

[bcjinseoul]

Yeah, I've heard about the skimming factor... as long as I'm getting a base salary (after the "skim") of more than 2.0, I'm good to go.

I think the best thing to do is get one that pays 2.1-2.3 and includes housing.

Just as long as I don't have to teach at my high school in March, I'm happy.

[qcat79]

then, what the hell are you asking us? you don't seem to appreciate good advice.

[bcjinseoul]

Is there anyone out there who currently works at an after school program who wants to share their experience; some pros, cons, and insights? Much obliged.

On a lighter note, I'd like to hear anyone tell me how they got out of a S.M.O.E. contract, since the S.M.O.E. contract claims they don't give out letters of release. (Which is a very mean thing to do, if you're willing to play ball and put in proper notice, payback airfare, and be gracious about the whole thing. It should be up to the principal, right?)

Happy Year of The Tiger.

[NickolasFury]

I am at an after School program now.
I used to work at a hagwon for 2 years and met a guy who was working at an after school program.

Everyone wants different things. Some people live for long vacations, others want money, I chose this because I work very short hours.

Basic run down:
1- I work from about 12:50 to 5:30 normally and about 12:40 to 4:45 during vacations. I get 2 weeks a year vacation plus all the other little days here and there.
2- I make 2.5 million plus have the potential to get bonuses of either 100,000 or 200,000 depending on the number of students, 100,000 was easy to meet, but due to some factors (competing programs at the same school that are cheaper and run by the School itself) I am not getting a bonus this month.
3- THe bank account thing...people make a big deal out of it, who cares. I opened a 2nd bank account. At my school the parents pay the school, the school deposits all the money into the 2nd bank account. My company takes their share and puts my share into my regular bank account. I get paid no problem every month. However at my company they are cheap and have one guy doing the job of about 3 people so sometimes it takes some extra nagging to make sure they reimburse me for some small expenses and for my national medical insurance (They pay half).
4- I get 400,000 a month for housing, the company takes care of key money. I pay all utilities, my manager helps if I need things translated or calling utilities etc, he is cool, and we became best friends. Not everyone is so lucky.
4- It is recommended to go to Lunch at school, but I only do it 1-2 times a week, it is not mandatory. I get along well with everyone at school and with all the students and parents and the principal.
5- I teach totally alone, my manager pops in 1-3 times a week, sometimes for an hour sometimes the whole day. I do miss working with other teachers like at my hagwon, but don't miss the hours and bs.
6- I do have to give diaries, spelling tests, and write report cards. Though I pushed to do the first two myself.
7-Students are grouped into levels according to ability. But sometimes due to parental pressure or other reasons we have kids in levels they absolutely should not be in. Just adapt and deal with it.
5- I am tired and can't think what else you might want to know. Ask away.

There are several companies out there. A few in Seoul and a few down in the Suwon/Asan area south of Seoul. Different companies and different school work out different hours for work and pay and all that. Starting is generally going to be either 2.3 with 400,000 housing or 2.4 with 300,000 housing. Not sure if all companies offer bonuses, and depending on your school and manager it may be hard to get the bonus. Classes are limited to 15 or 16 max. I almost always had about 10-16. Just recently with the competition we have from other programs I have actually had a class with 3 students.

Everyone I know working for the company is happy, you get tons of time free in the AM and the PM to do what you want and make decent money. I make more than most cause I did the company a favor.

[NickolasFury]

PS what is the talk about "Skimming" or " Rip Off Schemes"?

You sign a contract for a certain amount, you get paid the certain amount. You work few hours. Life is good. After I opened that bank account almost 2 years ago I never had any thing else to do with it. I gave the passbook and passwords to the bosses...they pay me, everything is good. We have approval from the SMOE to run our program, I share a class room and some materials with the regular school teachers (they teach earlier in the day, I run my classes later. I get on well with them).

[bcjinseoul]

Great insight. Thanks a bunch!

[TheUrbanMyth]

[bcjinseoul]

(bump)

[TheUrbanMyth]

[bcjinseoul]

Thanks Urban Myth. Guess I'll just have to stick this one out. That whole Tax thing has got me thinking twice as well now...

[chachee99]

I am not a fan of this second bank account scheme. It seems too fishy. Why wouldn't the school just pay the money into the companies bank account then have the conpany transfer the money into your account. The only positive thing I think of about having two bank accounts is wiping it out right before you pull a runner.