Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jugbandjames]

Basically, what the title says. I'm currently living in the US, but I'm applying for English teaching positions in Korea. I currently teach at the college/university level, so I know that having a terrible class schedule can make the semester hell. A lot of the jobs I'm looking at tend to break down as: morning, middle of the day, evening.

So what's a good schedule in Seoul? Does it pay to avoid rush hour? What times do people go out? Obviously, that will vary, but when are clubs, bars, concerts most active? Any other scheduling concerns I should take into account?

[lbee0305]

People go out at all hours. This city is 24/7.

Most comfortable hours? Depends on YOUR preference.
You can get any type of schedule if you are particular and look for it.

Some people like a basic 9-5. Others prefer working in the evenings so they can sleep in, or take morning classes, etc. Typical evening schedule is about 2-10. You can get afterschool jobs which are about 1-5. A lot of jobs are split shifts (especially if you're teaching adults). Some people hate them, others like having a break in their day. You can also find teaching adults or kindergarten jobs that have you out by noon/1pm.

[warren pease]

Are you looking to work in a college here?

(Real) University jobs tend to be comfortable by default; usually less than 15 teaching hours a week.

[J Rock]

A comfortable work schedule in Seoul in my opinion would be 2 hours a day, but I've been looking for that job for the past 3 years!

Sorry I've been worthless on your question.

[jugbandjames]

I wasn't planning on working at a college or university over there. At least, not at first. As I understand it, it's difficult to get that kind of work when applying from outside of the country. If I'm wrong about that, then please let me know. I was thinking I'd work at a private language school for a year, and if I like the country and culture enough to stay longer I would apply for college jobs. I'm not familiar with the South Korean university system, but I'm probably qualified.

I think I'm leaning towards late afternoon/evening classes then. I was a bit worried about working late on Friday and whether that would limit my social experience, but it sounds like there will be things to do late night on a Friday. Is rush hour in Seoul a pain?

[jugbandjames]

Also, what's a reasonable work to pay ratio? How much should someone working 30 hour weeks make, 40 hours, and so forth? I've read the FAQs but a lot of the responses were posted 6-7 years ago and seems like it might be outdated.

[warren pease]

Just my opinion:

Since your teaching at a Uni back home, I'm assuming that you have at least your master's degree. With that and X amount of years experience teaching, in Seoul I'd say you'd go for no less than 2.3 - 2.4 a month. Now, if you are an attractive western looking person (white skin, blond hair and blue eyes - quadruple bonus) you could fetch 3.0 or more a month.

Teaching at a normal hagwon, your contract will always say maximum of 30 teaching hours a week. Personally, 6 40 minute classes is the most I felt comfortable teaching. 4 or 5 a day i think is ideal.

Just a quick note on the teaching hours: read how your contract defines teaching hours. I have some friends who signed what seemed like the basic 30 teaching hour contract, but their contract is interpreted by their school as 30 total teaching hours. Meaning that a 40 minute class is counted as 40 minutes of teaching. Whereas my contracts and most that i've heard about qualify a teaching hour as one class - 40 minutes = 1 teaching hour. The difference can be staggering. My friend teaches between 7 and 10 classes and day and wants to kill himself.

Good luck!