Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kickincane21]

So this is my first post and I"m very new to the whole teaching abroad scene so sorry if this question has been posted (I tried using the search feature, but it didn't seem to work).

I am looking to teach abroad to travel and experience a new culture. I have been offered a job with Seoul English Village to start next month. It seems like a great option since it sounds more like an experience camp and since I don't have a teaching background seems good.

Getting to the point, I was just hoping someone with any knowledge or experience about this school could tell me if it is legitimate or anything specific i should know or ask before leaving?

[kickincane21]

by the way, its the Suyu Campus if that matters.

[gogophoto]

I had a friend who worked for the Suyu campus. One thing you should understand about the English Villages is that they are kind of like amusement parks in that kids who go there don't go there regularly. They are supposed to be places that have theme-based rooms where the kids can go to practice their english without leaving the country. My friend who worked there had to work weekends somewhat regularly because it was open on the weekends; she still got two days a week off, but not necessarily consecutive. Also, I think she actually worked a national holiday once. She was on a 6 month contract though, so maybe her conditions of employment were different than a person on a year-long contract.

Check this out: http://www.goteach.ca/jobboard/index.pl?noframes;read=27313

Notice how it says you work 5 days a week? That's true, but those days may not be Mon-Fri. See where it says you live? In a dorm with everyone else who works there. I did this for most of my first year at a similar place, and I wouldn't recommend it. Your coworkers may be great or they may be crummy, but you don't want to spend all day at work with them and then all head back to your glorified ghetto where they keep the foreigners.

You only get 7 days of vacation, and most contracts will give you 10. It also mentions that 50,000 won bonus for working on a national holiday, which means occasionally you WILL be made to work on a national holiday. For me, the 50,000 won would not be worth missing out on an extra day spent with my friends, relaxing away from work.

In short? Don't take this job. There are other jobs out there, although the market has made one helluva shift in the past 18 months. Don't let not having any teaching experience discourage you, either; many of us didn't until we got here. Work with multiple recruiters, and look for something better than this, because no matter how good a recruiter might tell you this job is, it isn't.

[matthews_world]

If you are having trouble finding a job back home, then I'd say take it, work it a few months. If you are unhappy, then give notice & find another job.

You'll have to do a visa transfer but you'll get the flight over to see exactly if life in Korea is right for you.

If you do quit midstream, make sure you will have saved enough money to pay your own airfare back.

[mellow-d]

I worked there a few years ago. It's a good first job and the dorm and co-workers were nice. You will work most holidays and lose out on long weekends though. And I was given 25 magic classes to teach my first week there :p I'd still recommend it.

[Marklong]

I am moving there next month for a year. It looks good to be honest, not like other english villages ive read about

[urge2serg2]

i worked there for the summer camp last year. i talked to a lot of the foreigners who worked there during the year. like someone said, i think it's a good job to start with, but i will say this: brace yourself for the boredom after about 6 months. you will do the same dog and pony show for possibly an entire year. but, you eat for free, you live in seoul, the work itself is easy, and you dont have to lesson plan.

[Troglodyte]

[Marklong]

From what im told, Suyu Campus is individual single housing for teachers, albeit your next door neighbours will be your work colleagues but that doesn't sound too bad if you can escape to your own place lol.

The only query i have is about a curfew?

Im guessing you can just leave campus as often and whenever you like when your not working.

[meaghan]

[dharmasister]

I take it you couldn't bring your dog (even a tiny chihuahua) to one of these villages??? I like the idea of the 6 month contract choice, but I couldn't leave my dog behind.

[Marklong]

Yea its only 5mins from one of the subway stations so like 20mins from central seoul so its seems good. and ive been reading some blogs from people that are staying there so it is all good.

Just waiting for my Visa issuance, start 26th September

[dharmasister]

[Marklong]

Will Do buddy.

No Probs

[dharmasister]

Thanks Dude!!!!