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LikeFrostOnRoads
Joined: 09 Mar 2010
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 Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:18 am Post subject: 3-month extension versus New contract? |
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Hello all,
I'm actually only 4 months into my first contract, but my school has approached me about extending for an extra 3 months at the end and I need to make a decision soon. I like it a lot so far here, and I think I'd be willing to live in Korea for another year, but I think I would definitely prefer to move to a different school. Maybe even a new city (Busan, anyone?). While this may just be in my mind, tacking on 3 months seems to make the prospects of returning for another year afterward less attractive. I just keep imagining how I could spend those months traveling and visiting with family at home and then return refreshed for a new year in Korea, whereas if I stay on those months, I might burn myself out. To make matters worse, I also have an itch to head to South America to join a Spanish immersion program, but I know that if I do that, I'll likely never go back to Korea. So I could put that off a year.
What are your thoughts?
Also, what are job prospects like for 2nd year teachers? Salaries? |
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oldfatfarang
Joined: 19 May 2005
Location: On the road to somewhere.
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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Korean schools are always asking if you want to re-sign or stay. This seems to come from insecurity - because:
1) They like you and want you to stay , i.e., they don't want 'another' foreigner.
2) They don't like you, and they are trying to see if they are going to be embarrassed at re-signing time (by saying "No").
It pays just to say: "It's too soon for me to make a decision. Let's look at that in a year's time." If they get really pushy, I just say: "You may not want me in a year's time. Let's wait." |
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Cerberus
Joined: 29 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:46 pm Post subject: Re: 3-month extension versus New contract? |
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| LikeFrostOnRoads wrote: |
Hello all,
I'm actually only 4 months into my first contract, but my school has approached me about extending for an extra 3 months at the end and I need to make a decision soon. I like it a lot so far here, and I think I'd be willing to live in Korea for another year, but I think I would definitely prefer to move to a different school. Maybe even a new city (Busan, anyone?). While this may just be in my mind, tacking on 3 months seems to make the prospects of returning for another year afterward less attractive. I just keep imagining how I could spend those months traveling and visiting with family at home and then return refreshed for a new year in Korea, whereas if I stay on those months, I might burn myself out. To make matters worse, I also have an itch to head to South America to join a Spanish immersion program, but I know that if I do that, I'll likely never go back to Korea. So I could put that off a year.
What are your thoughts?
Also, what are job prospects like for 2nd year teachers? Salaries? |
public school?
somewhat unusual, especially the 3 month extension part.
Does your contract start at a weird offseason date, perhaps the school would prefer their next one fall into the traditional March/August hiring periods, that's the only reason I can think of and even then it's a bit weird.
no big change for 2nd year teachers. a 100K won raise (at public school) and if you renew with same school, a free summer flight equivalent to fare back home (which will be close to 2K if recent form holds) and an extra 2 weeks vacation.
Unless you're at a crappy school they make it worthwhile to renew with the same one. |
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LikeFrostOnRoads
Joined: 09 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 3:45 am Post subject: |
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Actually I'm at a hagwon. The reason to extend three months is because it falls on an awkward time. I started in November but the school runs a year round immersion style program, so it looks bad for them to have a teacher leave in the middle (there are only three of us), since the year starts in March and the students have a set class for a year.
I'm a little stuck at this point... Sometimes I love it, and sometimes I hate it at my school, but ultimately I can't predict how I'll feel in 8 months, you know? It's especially hard to make the decision now, because it means that I have just under a year left (3 weeks short)... I might as well have just hopped off the plane  I guess that utimately the difference between the end of November and the end of February is little... |
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Cerberus
Joined: 29 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:50 am Post subject: |
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| LikeFrostOnRoads wrote: |
Actually I'm at a hagwon. The reason to extend three months is because it falls on an awkward time. I started in November but the school runs a year round immersion style program, so it looks bad for them to have a teacher leave in the middle (there are only three of us), since the year starts in March and the students have a set class for a year.
I'm a little stuck at this point... Sometimes I love it, and sometimes I hate it at my school, but ultimately I can't predict how I'll feel in 8 months, you know? It's especially hard to make the decision now, because it means that I have just under a year left (3 weeks short)... I might as well have just hopped off the plane I guess that utimately the difference between the end of November and the end of February is little... |
entirely up to you. I can understand the hogwan's logic. It'd be quite strange at public schools where even if contract ends at "funny time", they stick fairly rigorously to that schedule.
ultimately I'd think that if you could stick it out for a year.. another 3 months wouldn't kill you. |
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oldfatfarang
Joined: 19 May 2005
Location: On the road to somewhere.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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| LikeFrostOnRoads wrote: |
I guess that utimately the difference between the end of November and the end of February is little... |
No. There's a very big difference between finishing at the end of November, and finishing at the end of February. And your employer knows it, that's why they are trying to get you to re-sign now.
Nov to Feb are WINTER months, and for me, I hate being in Korea in these months. It's cold, very cold/. There's dirty air, and the pollution layers are way down. Also, people on the street look really unhappy. So I hate those last months on my contract, when I have to wait until 28 Feb to get to a sunny place.
Also, there is the long winter school 'vacation' in between Nov - Feb. That means a lot of extra teaching at hagwons. You may be very tired at the end of your contract (wouldn't be surprised), and teaching extra classes for another 3 months, and living in the cold, could be very hard for you.
It is clear now why your school wants you to re-sign. They know that you will be tired at the end of the year, and they are trying to ensure they have an experienced teacher over the winter 'vacation' break.
I would definitely not be re-signing another contract with new dates at the moment. Wait until just before your present contract expires. That way, you will have some leverage over your employer, if they decide to exploit you during the year.
Also, what ever you do - never tell a Korean employer early on that you will be leaving at the end of your contract. Repeat, never. If you tell them early, you are in for some very tough months at that school - or, you'll be dropped and replaced. Wait until 1-2 months before contract ends. Be warned.
Good luck. |
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littlelisa
Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:52 am Post subject: |
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| Another thing to consider: Ending at the end of Feb would be perfect for you if you wanted to go to a public school or something afterwards. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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| LikeFrostOnRoads wrote: |
Actually I'm at a hagwon. The reason to extend three months is because it falls on an awkward time. I started in November but the school runs a year round immersion style program, so it looks bad for them to have a teacher leave in the middle (there are only three of us), since the year starts in March and the students have a set class for a year.
I'm a little stuck at this point... Sometimes I love it, and sometimes I hate it at my school, but ultimately I can't predict how I'll feel in 8 months, you know? It's especially hard to make the decision now, because it means that I have just under a year left (3 weeks short)... I might as well have just hopped off the plane I guess that utimately the difference between the end of November and the end of February is little... |
Actually, if you are planning to stay an extra year or so the extension (till the mid/end of Feb would put you right into the hiring cycle for just about everyone AND you would have the advantage of being able to transfer your visa (to the new school) rather than begin the visa process all over again from scratch (complete with new CRC, etc).
Instead of thinking "I might as well have just hopped off the plane", think in terms of job job security (I am assured of a paycheck for the next year) and look at your options for change in Feb (many more than November) and the extra 6+ million won in your pocket!
IF you want to stay in Korea, then you change from mid cycle to main cycle for hiring.
IF you want to move, then China has the same cycle as Korea.
Thailand starts in April/May.
Japan recruits in Jan/Feb for April starts in mainstream schools.
Lots of good reasons for a short extension.
Oh, and the cost of the extension is only 30k won + a bit of paperwork.
Quite painless all in all.
Cost benefit analysis.
Cost = 3 months of your current position
Benefits = many more options available to you.
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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Another option is take the winter off.
Instead of making that extra 6 million, spend it.
Head for Thailand, unwind on the beach and take a TESOL/CELTA course from one of the accredited schools.
Professional development is never a bad thing and it will also give you a bump anywhere in Asia when it comes to the pay.
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withgusto
Joined: 11 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:14 pm Post subject: good advice |
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Granted, some of my posts are an effort to reach the minimum 25 PM mark.
This is not one of them.
"Also, what ever you do - never tell a Korean employer early on that you will be leaving at the end of your contract. Repeat, never. If you tell them early, you are in for some very tough months at that school - or, you'll be dropped and replaced. Wait until 1-2 months before contract ends. Be warned."
You sound like a seasoned vet. Good advice. I repeat, good advice. If you're not taking heed to this....Good luck. |
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withgusto
Joined: 11 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:16 pm Post subject: More good advice |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
Another option is take the winter off.
Instead of making that extra 6 million, spend it.
Head for Thailand, unwind on the beach and take a TESOL/CELTA course from one of the accredited schools.
Professional development is never a bad thing and it will also give you a bump anywhere in Asia when it comes to the pay.
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Just know that you have options and be like the Fonz; play it cool.
I imagine you could negotiate your salary at a reasonable point in
your current contract too. |
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