Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevekor]

Hey all
i'm a masters student looking to take a year off and have received an offer from JLS in Sanbon...here's a reply from one of the head foreign teachers working there right now (your thoughts? Do u think i could hold out for something better? I'm looking for something close to Ansan where my g/f is and this is only 6 subway stops from her) :


Hi Steve - Sorry for the delay in answering, but I had to wait until I went into school today to ask about working hours.

Please remember that all hagwans are NOT the same.

The JLS-Sanbon location is different than the JLS-Ansan or other locations for a few reasons:
1) The "foreign" teacher staff members DO NOT work Saturdays in Sanbon unlike the "foreign" teacher staff members at other locations.
2) The JLS-Sanbon location is unique in that we have "kindy" classes unlike any other JLS location.
3) The teachers at the JLS-Sanbon location get a winter vacation unlike the other JLS locations.

When you were reviewing the working hours of the contract, you were comparing "hours" to "classes". You must make sure that you are not comparing "apples" to "oranges". Today, I verified with the administration on 3rd floor about the "hours". The set up is different from mine on 7th floor.

Apparently, from Monday - Thursday, you would teach (5)-40 minute "kindy" classes. On Friday, there would only be (4)-40 minute "kindy" classes. Then, in the afternoon, you would teach (10) or (11) "elementary" classes for the week. They are 50 minutes each.

(24) "kindy" @ 40 minutes = 960 minutes
(11) "elem" @ 50 minutes = 550 minutes
1510 minutes = 25 hours/10 minutes / week x 4 = 101 hours

These "teaching" hours are well under the 120 hour limit. Anything OVER 120 hours would constitute overtime.

As I stated in our telephone conversation, only ONE person has not fulfilled her contract and that was because she took the job knowing full well that she hated children which she did not make any effort to hide. That was extreme stupidity on her part and a total waste of management's time!

At our school, there have been NO PROBLEMS with the hiring of male foreign teachers. The parents are only concerned that any teacher is doing their job regardless of gender!

[Linda868]

I wouldn't take the job if you do not like young children . In the JLS program, foreigners are normally not supposed to teach kindys. You only start teaching them once they can read well on their own and they can form simple sentences. I would pass unless you like younger children. If you want the position ask them the following questions. You should ask about the kindy classes if you are going to teach each set of students once a week or more than once a week. Will they provide you with the books or do you have to come up with material/activities. What are your working hours in terms of having to be at the school, when is the first and last class?
I teach at a JLS outside of Seoul and teach a few classes of younger children but it is only once a week for 40-50min (I enjoy teaching them but know some teachers do not). I have to come up with my own material for the kindys or do a review with them on what they have learned with the Korean teacher. hope that helps

[TheUrbanMyth]

[stevekor]

hey guys thanks for your replies,i got another couple of e-mails from the canadian teacher working there, however she was the one who interviewed me and has been with JLS (in the system for 5 yrs) she sounds like she's management, so i'm skeptical i dunno...

Hi Steve ))

Well, here goes...

1) The working hours for 3rd Floor (which is where the position is open at our academy) are from 10:00-7:30 After finishing your "kindy" class(es), you will have a break until the arrival of the afternoon students. I don't set up the schedules and this break might vary from day to day. You MUST be at school by 9:30 in order to get prepared for classes and be ready to start on time! Overtime is not usual--only if someone calls in sick which rarely happens. I have to say that teacher attendance is quite good. Overtime is compensated.
The "hours/overtime" clause is stipulated in the contract and when you request the particulars of your contract, you can check on this information.
Everyone's schedule is determined by which classes you will be teaching. It has been the case in the past that your finishing time on Tues./Thurs. is a bit earlier than on M,W,F only because there are fewer students that attend the academy on those days.

2) NO...our apartments are our own to live in. There is NO SHARED common area. We have a two-burner gas range top on which to cook. We do not have ovens. Some teachers purchase a small convection oven or a microwave oven. The school does not provide either of those. Our housing is 3-5 minutes away from the school (depending upon how fast you walk). In Sanbon, we have a subway station (#444 - Light Blue Line). From our apartments, it takes a GOOD 5 minutes to walk there.

3) Yes, you may be asked to attend some special events throughout the year which may fall on a Saturday. Again, based on past years, I've had to attend no more than 3. Usually, these are not compensated for monetarily but the Director often takes everyone out for dinner.

4) Ansan is also on the "Light Blue" subway line. You will travel in the opposite direction of Seoul to arrive there. Ansan is (9) subway stops from Sanbon while Seoul Station is (17) stops away. It takes approximately 25 minutes to arrive in Ansan.

5) There are many gyms in Sanbon. You would have to check some of them out to see which one suits your personal preferences. Also, there is a big central park for shooting hoops, in-line skating, running, etc. Koreans love the outdoors and exercising so you shouldn't have too much difficulty finding areas to go to.

6) In total, there are (6) foreign teachers working at our academy. There are (3) on the 3rd Floor and (3) on the 7th Floor. Currently, the teachers on 3rd Floor are all in their mid-twenties and come from Canada. However, some will be finishing their second "12-month" contract and I'm not sure if they will be re-signing. Teachers on the 3rd Floor are usually young as the school needs energetic and enthusiastic teachers to work with lively children ranging in age from 5-12! My co-workers on 7th Floor are both in their mid twenties and as for ME...LOL, let's just say I am the OLDEST!! LOL And, I mean the OLDEST!! I come from Canada. One of my co-workers comes from the U.S. while the other one is from Ireland. Also, as I mentioned in our phone call, there are many foreign teachers in the Sanbon area. The group of individuals that I work with have had no problem in expanding their circle of friends while teaching in Korea.

Hopefully I have helped you out here. Don't hesitate to write again if there is anything else you would like to know. If I don't have the answer, I'll try to find it out for you.

Have a GREAT day!

Cheri Teacher

[WTP Trust]

So basically you are there from 9:30 to 7:30? 10 hours straight, or is there a break in between (around kunch time) where you can leave for 2 oor 3 hours?
I've worked the 9:30-7:30 shift before and there was always a 2-3 hour break before the afternoon classes started during which time we could go pay bills, take a nap, work out, etc.

[Linda868]

Based on those hours I would say skip it unless they are paying you more than the standard 2.2 or you get other benefits that make it worth while. Your whole day is basically shot with getting up early unless you don't need much sleep much (you can't go out late unless you want to be tired which you don't want to do teaching kindys). The fact you have to be there 30min adds to your time at work. I would say pass. You should be able to find a job close to your gf if you keep searching and aren't in a rush. Good luck!

[wesharris]

Those hours aren't worth it.
I'm quite happy with my 5 classes a day 5 days a week NO weekends schedule.

[bobbybigfoot]

Too many hours in my opinion. I've just finished three weeks of such a schedule and it wore me out. (Mind you, I got extra pay).

Teaching 30 hours a week is tiring. Really tiring. Especially if you are trying to be effective in all the classes.

I'd pass.