Korean Job Discussion Forums

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

that is what the new Korean English teacher will make at my kids nursery school. Well, actually, it is 5,000 won per head for 15 4-year olds.

I can't imagine the "teacher" doing more than singing a few songs either.

Anyway, I don't begrudge the person the money; we are all doing what we can to take care of our families; but I thought some of you might be interested in what some Korean English teachers make - its a lot of money!

Of course, you would have to do a lot of nursery schools to really make it worth your while (and tolerate 4 year olds) but at that rate, someone could really clean-up!

And, it is not just English lessons. It is music, exercise and even lego building. And, it is the Mothers that demand that such teachers be found and do not seem to have a problem paying for it. And, I don't even live in Gangnam or Mokdong or anyplace like that. You might think it is just English but they pay all "teachers" ridiculous sums of money for just about anything.

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009

I wouldn't take it. Not for that.

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

Actually it would take 3-5 teachers to manage 15 4-year olds. Then the academy gets their cut. So hourly is more like 15-20k.

I'll pass

gossipgirlxoxo · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

uh...

is this your thread?

how would know anymore about the job than me?

LOL

welcome to the world of internet forums, folks.

I love it. Carry on...

gossipgirlxoxo · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

"15 four year olds is not unmanageable for a GOOD teacher. "

This is the most arrogant and retarded statement that I have ever heard.

Now I know Korea is not the US and their legal codes are different, but it is unlawful for a daycare in the US to have more than 5 to 1 ratio for children.

Since this is Korea, I don't know the legal code for student to teacher ratio for a daycare, but 4 year olds in korea are actually 3 year olds and would be asking for trouble to do any large class as a solo teacher. It is just unwise not to have extra staff in the class.

Gossip girl you clearly are clueless. Comparing 1st graders (7 year olds) to day care 3 year olds.

I will agree with you that for the money it is a good deal, but I am certain that the school is making a profit. I don't believe you when you say that you took all the money for a class. You have no idea what back door deals are done at a school. No school lets their teachers take all the profits.

Would you even be able to asses how much it actually costs the school to run for one hour. They would be losing close to 50K Won for that one hour class. If you add bus driver, rent, electricity and support staff at the school to handle little details that you are never aware of while in the class.

gossipgirlxoxo · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

gossipgirlxoxo · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

[quote="frankly speaking"]"Gossip girl you clearly are clueless. Comparing 1st graders (7 year olds) to day care 3 year olds."

BTW
The OP says 4 year olds. How in your mind do 4 year olds become 3, yet first graders are still 7? Are you saying the first graders are actually 8, since Koreans call them 7? ... are you simultaneously using 2 different age systems to try and prove that I'm "clueless"? Laughing

or was it...arrogant and retarded? Laughing

Jeonmunka · Joined: 05 Oct 2009

For good money a teacher can make any class manageable because s/he will have spent time thinking out a good strategy and prepared some excellent resources.

For little money, like most people get, no thought goes into it. Perhaps this is one small reason why parents pay more - because they want quality. Really though, they pay more because English learning has become insane, yes, insane, here in Korea. It's ridiculous - old people who never meet any western person, don't read any western papers etc, suddenly going to hakwons to learn English ... it has taken on crazy proportions.

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

It is always interesting to see how the discussion flows after making a post; it is a little bit like an experiment in Chaos theory.

Anyway, my kids are in the class; they are four years old western age.

It is at a government run (gu office) nursery school, so I will assume they are following the law (because the government does regulate it unlike private kindergardens and nursery schools). Unless someone is directly pocketing the money, they are non-profit organization so I assume the teacher gets all the money.

And, for what it is worth, I am impressed at how well behaved the children are. Sadly, my children (I have twin boys) may be the worst behave in the class as they just have a ton of energy, curiosity and they don't seem to be fully aware of what danger is. Still, I would say for a room full of 4 year olds, they do quite well.

My wife was told by the nursery school that they get a "qualified" teacher. But, my wife speculated that it was unlikely to be someone with an English degree because she did not think someone with such qualifications would teach such a class. But, that is pure speculation on her part. But, I also think it says something about how Koreans think about what is "qualified."

I certainly don't think teaching 4 year olds is for everyone. But, I also do not think that singing songs to four year olds is that hard, either. Even the nursery school principle said the kids don't always pay attention and you should not expect it. The mothers did not seem to care.

Anyway, I just thought you might like to know what the market can bear for English teaching - and even other kinds of teaching. Like I said, the nursery school offers all sorts of classes at the same price (even how to build things with legos).

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009

sarahsiobhan · Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 6:39 pm Post subject:

I taught JK and SK in Canada. 23 kids in the JK class (3-4 years old) and 21 in the SK class (4-5 years old).

15 four year olds? I could do that job standing on my head.

GreenlightmeansGO · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Location: Daegu

[quote="gossipgirlxoxo"]

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

"non-profit organization"

Do you actually think that non profit organizations don't make money?
I forget the actual percent of capital gain that they are allowed to make but it is at least 35%. Non profits are not purely charitable institutions, don't kid yourself, people make serious coin in the upper management of non profits.

I spent some time in the US in a Universal Pre-K school. Most of the kids were under 5 years old. A lot of 3 year olds. There were about 15 kids, one head teacher and 2 assistants.

I would think that Canada would have similar restrictions to number of kids to adults. Personally I don't believe anyone that says that they taught 23 3 year olds without anyone else in the room.

Any kind of activity or project would need assistants.

Yes, if you just sat and read stories or did a sing along, you might be ok for a while solo, but any transition time or activity that required them do things like art projects, it is not possible to handle that many kids alone.