Korean Job Discussion Forums

bcjinseoul · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Location: Seoul, Korea

Has anyone had any experience working with the district? How is it better or worse than SMOE, for those who have worked for both? What are the standards, paperwork, admin requirements, etc like? Lastly, about how many people do they hire per semester, and how competitive is it?

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Every school is different. Doesn't matter the district. I can only comment on what is in the contract, since that is the same amongst all teachers.

I've worked for SMOE before.

Gangnam pays better than SMOE and the coordinators treat you like a professional. You also teach more, 24 classes being the maximum. Gangnam does not provide housing. They do provide a nice allowance for housing.

The standards are higher than SMOE. You have 2 observation classes a y ear, where the actual coordinators that hired you come to observe your class. They also give you detailed feedback about your visit.

If you don't have a TESOL/TEFL cert/degree, or if you don't have any experience, don't bother applying.

The number of people they hire per semester really depends on how many people decide not to renew. As for paperwork, you send them your resume and application. They ask you for a sample lesson plan. You send it to them, and if they like what they see, they call you for a one on one interview. If you pass the interview, they send you a contract and you get hired.

Gangnam doesn't give you a renewal bonus, nor do they provide airfare for renewing teachers. You do get severance and a one way ticket home at the end of your stint.

I'm an American so I will make an analogy based on the US. SMOE is like the House of Representative and Gangnam District is like the Senate. Both have the same job, but one is better off as a Senator than a Congressmen.

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

from what I have heard, they are much pickier about skin color when seeking applicants.

Blonds/Blue eyes preferred

partymop · Joined: 24 Jun 2009

not true. There are several visible minorities in the Gangnam system. Not only that, but they actually hire gyopos too which a lot of places won't do.

But it is more competitive. If you don't have a certificate and at least a year or two experience, chances are extremely slim. I've heard recently that they're looking for people with teaching certificates now, but I can't be sure.

Welsh Canadian · Joined: 03 Mar 2010

Triban · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Location: Suwon Station

Where do you apply for Gangnam positions? Can anyone throw a link?

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

qcat79 · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Location: ROK

been there, done that. it's an alright gig though. if your school likes you, they'll give you more vacation than said in the contract. more pay (like 2.5 or 2.6 + 900,000 for housing with no key money). chances are you'll run into more students that have a better grasp of english than say, in a random SMOE school.