Korean Job Discussion Forums

[natalia930]

So I'm looking at two jobs right now. One has a pretty solid contract, but I'm not 100% thrilled with what the current teacher has to say about the school (while this person is very positive about the school, I think there are some things they are ok with that I'm not sure I'm ok with). The other has a contract very much in favor of the employer, but I feel a lot more comfortable with what the teacher I have talked to has said (and I'm still hoping to talk to more teachers from this place). I suppose this is largely a personal decision, but I'm curious of you guys have things to say.

[SteveSteve]

I would favor the better contract. Some teachers may feel reluctant to spill the beans about a school because they want to find a replacement for themselves or they've made an agreement with the school to only say positive things. In other situations, I've heard of teachers being intimidated and monitored by the school administration when they speak to a prospective teacher on the phone. Kinda sucks but it happens often. What exactly did the first teacher say that you're not okay with?

[RMNC]

If anything, the fact that the teacher said stuff they didn't like about the school shows that they're NOT being pressured into talking the school up. I'd go with what the teacher says and avoid that school on this one.

[morrisonhotel]

Are you okay with forced overtime, though?

[sojusucks]

[Cerulean]

I would go with the contract.

[natalia930]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Here's the deal with the school with the better contract:
The current native speaker there is the first one they've had (the school is 2-3 years old). He said it was a bit of a mess at first because there was no curriculum in place for his classes and they didn't know how do deal with government registration etc. I guess that part has been sorted out. I am a bit concerned about curriculum - it was unclear whether he's just writing his own lessons every day, or if he now has something to follow (I've asked this, am waiting for a response).

Also apparently the school is growing rapidly and at this point, although he's not teaching overtime, he said he usually is there 2 hours before the 8 hour day schedule, and 45 mins after, to get all the prep/assessments done (this is why I'm wondering if he is writing his own lessons all the time ) That's the biggest concern of mine. That seems like a hell of a lot of work, given what the salary I'm being offered is. The contract does stipulate 40 hours, 30 teaching hours, so I could always just say I'm not coming in to do more than that, but I feel like the current teacher set the precedent for that level of work and I'm a bit worried that they won't like it if I make a fuss.

Perhaps with the two of us, the work will be distributed more evenly, but the other piece of information here is that they are building a new location, and it sounds like I'm going to be placed there - which makes me wonder if they'll just give us both the same amount of work? The teacher was suggesting that it might start out slow for me as they increased their students and I got the hang of things, and when it got to the point that I had as much work as he did, they would consider hiring a 3rd teacher (I suppose this is the process that happened with him for the school to interview me, he mentioned that at first he had a lot of time on his hands, but now he's constantly interviewing more students)

Other than that, he has really positive things to say about his experience - gets paid on time, positive working environment etc...I like the age group of the students I'd be working with, its in a good location.

If this were a teaching job in the States, I wouldn't be surprised at all. But from what I hear about teaching in Korea, this seems like a lot more work than most people are usually doing...At the same time, I am a lot happier when I'm busy and being mentally stimulated than when I am sitting around all the time.

RE the school with the bad contract - I had a really nice conversation with the director (wheres in school A I hardly got to talk to the director - the native speaker and another teacher were the ones who interviewed me). I've heard from a couple of teachers that say they have had positive experiences there. But I definitely don't have as much detailed information about that job as the first one.

So...still go with the first? Pass on both??

[natalia930]

anyone? comments?

[TheUrbanMyth]

[natalia930]

but the confusing thing is its NOT the contract. the contract states 40 hours working/30 hours teaching...(is this irrelevant in this situation?)

[TheUrbanMyth]