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jennad
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Location: San Diego
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 Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:02 pm Post subject: Will 40 hours/week kill you? |
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I keep hearing that 40 hours/week is way too much for 2.1 M Won.
I was just offered a position at an SLP in Bundang with these hours. I have read many frightening things about SLP's on this site that I'm already apprehensive. However, the person who conducted my phone interview was the teacher I would be replacing. She and her husband renewed their contracts twice with the school so have been there a total of 3 years. If it was that bad would people stay that long? Probably not the best logic, but I'm new to all of this. I have also read that SLP's vary from school to school.
How much work is too much for 2.1 M Won? |
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Ninja Bees
Joined: 31 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:26 pm Post subject: |
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The big thing is teaching hours. I am working from 9am to 6:30pm M-F. I teach anywhere from 7 hours (45-50 min classes, MWF) to 5 hours (T, Th). Deskwarming is not too bad. It does give you time to plan, which is invaluable when teaching young kids. If you are none-stop teaching, (in my opinion) do not take the job. You will burn out.
2.1W might be the standard for new teachers; but I've heard 2.2W is more common. If the job sounds alright, then you can get a year experience and be able to ask for more money or find a better job at the end of the year.
Let us know what the teaching hours are and the best of luck to you. |
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jennad
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Ninja Bees wrote: |
The big thing is teaching hours. I am working from 9am to 6:30pm M-F. I teach anywhere from 7 hours (45-50 min classes, MWF) to 5 hours (T, Th). Deskwarming is not too bad. It does give you time to plan, which is invaluable when teaching young kids. If you are none-stop teaching, (in my opinion) do not take the job. You will burn out.
2.1W might be the standard for new teachers; but I've heard 2.2W is more common. If the job sounds alright, then you can get a year experience and be able to ask for more money or find a better job at the end of the year.
Let us know what the teaching hours are and the best of luck to you. |
The hours are from 9:30 to 6:30 (including a 1 hour lunch).
Classes are 80 minutes each, and the contract states I will be teaching 21 classes/week. I'm assuming the extra hours in the day are for prepping, meetings, etc.
Bundang sounds super nice, but I keep hearing such terrible things about SLP's, so I'm really skeptical. Thanks for your help, I appreciate it. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Will 40 hours/week kill you? |
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| jennad wrote: |
I keep hearing that 40 hours/week is way too much for 2.1 M Won.
I was just offered a position at an SLP in Bundang with these hours. I have read many frightening things about SLP's on this site that I'm already apprehensive. However, the person who conducted my phone interview was the teacher I would be replacing. She and her husband renewed their contracts twice with the school so have been there a total of 3 years. If it was that bad would people stay that long? Probably not the best logic, but I'm new to all of this. I have also read that SLP's vary from school to school.
How much work is too much for 2.1 M Won? |
If you are willing to spend the extra 5 hours per week on your feet in the classroom for the same money as the guy next door then feel free to sign on the dotted line.
If you think you should actually be paid for those extra five hours of time in the classroom every week then keep looking.
To put it in perspective:
You are contracted to work 21 classes of 80 minutes per week (with a 10 minute mid-class break making it a grand total of 1800 minutes per week in the class with your kids.
The guy at the next hagwan will work 30 classes of 50 minutes (1500 minutes per week) and go home.
That 300 minutes per week is 5 hours per week that you are spending on your feet, in the classroom, compared to the next guy and you both make the same money for your time and you both have comparable education and qualifications.
You will work more and be paid proportionally less for the same work.
Beyond that, it is just another hagwan like so many others out there with all the other attendant risks and hassles.
If that 5 hours doesn't / won't bother you over the next year then sign away. You can't say you didn't have the information to make an informed decision.
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jennad
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:44 pm Post subject: Re: Will 40 hours/week kill you? |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| jennad wrote: |
I keep hearing that 40 hours/week is way too much for 2.1 M Won.
I was just offered a position at an SLP in Bundang with these hours. I have read many frightening things about SLP's on this site that I'm already apprehensive. However, the person who conducted my phone interview was the teacher I would be replacing. She and her husband renewed their contracts twice with the school so have been there a total of 3 years. If it was that bad would people stay that long? Probably not the best logic, but I'm new to all of this. I have also read that SLP's vary from school to school.
How much work is too much for 2.1 M Won? |
If you are willing to spend the extra 5 hours per week on your feet in the classroom for the same money as the guy next door then feel free to sign on the dotted line.
If you think you should actually be paid for those extra five hours of time in the classroom every week then keep looking.
To put it in perspective:
You are contracted to work 21 classes of 80 minutes per week (with a 10 minute mid-class break making it a grand total of 1800 minutes per week in the class with your kids.
The guy at the next hagwan will work 30 classes of 50 minutes (1500 minutes per week) and go home.
That 300 minutes per week is 5 hours per week that you are spending on your feet, in the classroom, compared to the next guy and you both make the same money for your time and you both have comparable education and qualifications.
You will work more and be paid proportionally less for the same work.
Beyond that, it is just another hagwan like so many others out there with all the other attendant risks and hassles.
If that 5 hours doesn't / won't bother you over the next year then sign away. You can't say you didn't have the information to make an informed decision.
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Thanks, ttompatz. I was actually reading some posts of yours in the contracts thread where you give tips on questions to ask current teachers at the school--very helpful.
In general you say to stay far away from SLP's, but the fact that a teacher has stayed at a school for 3 years must mean something, right? Or should I just avoid SLP's like the plague? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:28 pm Post subject: Re: Will 40 hours/week kill you? |
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| jennad wrote: |
Thanks, ttompatz. I was actually reading some posts of yours in the contracts thread where you give tips on questions to ask current teachers at the school--very helpful.
In general you say to stay far away from SLP's, but the fact that a teacher has stayed at a school for 3 years must mean something, right? Or should I just avoid SLP's like the plague? |
I don't like the franchise nor do I like their contracts. Both, in MY opinion are rubbish BUT that is just my opinion. I am not the be-all-end-all guru and there are some people who don't mind working at SLP. I am just not one of them. I know there are better options out there.
The bottom line is that the choice IS UP TO YOU.
If you have all the relevant information and you do choose to sign with them then you have made an informed choice and that doesn't make it bad, just not what I would do.
If you don't mind the fact that you will be working more for less and it doesn't/won't bother you then go for it.
If you do decide to say yes then you might also want to start looking for supplemental stuff to bring with you that you can copy after you get here. Their books and curriculum suck too.
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jennad
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:44 pm Post subject: Re: Will 40 hours/week kill you? |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| jennad wrote: |
Thanks, ttompatz. I was actually reading some posts of yours in the contracts thread where you give tips on questions to ask current teachers at the school--very helpful.
In general you say to stay far away from SLP's, but the fact that a teacher has stayed at a school for 3 years must mean something, right? Or should I just avoid SLP's like the plague? |
If you do decide to say yes then you might also want to start looking for supplemental stuff to bring with you that you can copy after you get here. Their books and curriculum suck too.
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haha thanks for the advice. |
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curlygirl
Joined: 26 Mar 2007
Location: Pundang, Seohyeon dong
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:39 am Post subject: |
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For young kids, 80 minutes sitting on a chair doing classwork is torturous.
I mostly succeeded, but often struggled, to keep my young learners (not SLP) motivated and on task for 90 minute long classes. Be prepared to work your butt off creating supplementary activities and English games to keep your students and yourself from going crazy through boredom and lack of variety.
50 minute classes = easily doable
80 minute classes = classroom management issues x 10
I would not recommend classes of this length for ANY learners, and particularly not young children. Even the most highly motivated youngsters are going to drift off into la la land when classes drag on for this length of time.
I highly recommend that you do NOT accept this job offer. Remember, your visa is attached to your job - you can't just jump ship and work elsewhere if you don't enjoy your working life. You need to maximize your chances of having an enjoyable year and the best way to do this is to hold out for a job that at least looks good on paper. This job clearly does not. |
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southernman
Joined: 15 Jan 2010
Location: On the mainland again
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 2:51 am Post subject: |
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40 hrs onsite is huge, especailly if it's teaching. Check out your actual teaching hours. When I was at Hagwon I was onsite at least 1.5 hours a day less than you will be.
At many Hagwons there are usually lots of free extras that you are expected to do. For instance my next door neighbour pulled off a 12 hour day last week, school holidays and kindy graduation, without any extra pay.
At Public school we may be onsite for 40 hours a week but only 22 hours are actual teaching, if you teach more you get extra pay.
From what tthompatz said the books suck as well, this can't be overstated, if the books are terrible then you have to put in far more effort to accomplish anything meaningful in the classroom.
It's your call at the end of the day, but surely there are better jobs out there. |
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ontheway
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Location: Somewhere under the rainbow...
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 5:40 am Post subject: |
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| curlygirl wrote: |
For young kids, 80 minutes sitting on a chair doing classwork is torturous.
I mostly succeeded, but often struggled, to keep my young learners (not SLP) motivated and on task for 90 minute long classes. Be prepared to work your butt off creating supplementary activities and English games to keep your students and yourself from going crazy through boredom and lack of variety.
50 minute classes = easily doable
80 minute classes = classroom management issues x 10
I would not recommend classes of this length for ANY learners, and particularly not young children. Even the most highly motivated youngsters are going to drift off into la la land when classes drag on for this length of time.
I highly recommend that you do NOT accept this job offer. Remember, your visa is attached to your job - you can't just jump ship and work elsewhere if you don't enjoy your working life. You need to maximize your chances of having an enjoyable year and the best way to do this is to hold out for a job that at least looks good on paper. This job clearly does not. |
Depends on the teacher's ability and program:
I've found 60 minutes to be far too short. The kids are excited all the way through and we need more time to cover material.
90 minutes is better, we get a lot done, but it's tight and we might have to leave some things out and there's often no time for a fun activity or game.
120 minutes seems to be ideal for class length.
180 minutes works well with motivated learners, but generally we take a 5 minute bathroom/water break toward the 2 hour mark. |
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ontheway
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Location: Somewhere under the rainbow...
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 5:49 am Post subject: Re: Will 40 hours/week kill you? |
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| jennad wrote: |
I keep hearing that 40 hours/week is way too much for 2.1 M Won.
I was just offered a position at an SLP in Bundang with these hours. I have read many frightening things about SLP's on this site that I'm already apprehensive. However, the person who conducted my phone interview was the teacher I would be replacing. She and her husband renewed their contracts twice with the school so have been there a total of 3 years. If it was that bad would people stay that long? Probably not the best logic, but I'm new to all of this. I have also read that SLP's vary from school to school.
How much work is too much for 2.1 M Won? |
The biggest thing is your total hours in the school.
40 hours in the school is too long for 2.1 million whether you are teaching or sitting. Sitting and doing nothing or dealing with bureaucratic nonsense is more exhausting than teaching.
Large classes are also more taxing - you will be drained far quicker and should be paid far more for trying to control the constant talking and misbehavior you will face in a room of 30 or 40 disrespectful students at all levels of ability and interest than you will in a room of 8 to 12 motivated students with matching levels.
Teaching continuously is easier than a day filled with breaks, so you should avoid split shifts, and for me, teaching 50 minute classes with 10 minute breaks is harder than teaching 60 minutes with no breaks. Going straight through means you stay up and moving, teach hard, and go home. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:22 am Post subject: |
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I teach close to that much and can handle it. That said, for an SLP it would certainly be more challenging, as my understanding is they require quite detailed lesson plans and there's generally more work outside of class than at similar hagwons. If you're teaching your full complement of classes you may have trouble getting your work done on time.
Aside from that, considering that I work with a really tight-knit group of friends, who became that way by working together, I can say that I wouldn't want to work somewhere where company policy would dictate that I couldn't socialize with my coworkers. |
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Big Mac
Joined: 17 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 12:01 pm Post subject: Re: Will 40 hours/week kill you? |
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| jennad wrote: |
| the fact that a teacher has stayed at a school for 3 years must mean something, right? Or should I just avoid SLP's like the plague? |
Unfortunately many teachers in Korea are too dumb to know that they don't have a very good deal. |
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Menino80
Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Location: Hodor?
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Run for the hills. That one guy might be a total masochist or is shtupping the director's wife or gets paid in coconut rum, etc |
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siwawalter
Joined: 16 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: Will 40 hours/week kill you? |
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Yup 40 hours is a lot of work. Vacation? haha
| jennad wrote: |
I keep hearing that 40 hours/week is way too much for 2.1 M Won.
I was just offered a position at an SLP in Bundang with these hours. I have read many frightening things about SLP's on this site that I'm already apprehensive. However, the person who conducted my phone interview was the teacher I would be replacing. She and her husband renewed their contracts twice with the school so have been there a total of 3 years. If it was that bad would people stay that long? Probably not the best logic, but I'm new to all of this. I have also read that SLP's vary from school to school.
How much work is too much for 2.1 M Won? |
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