Korean Job Discussion Forums

[spiraldance]

Is anyone currently teaching in Gimhae public schools or have current information about the situation there?

I was just offered a contract for June in the elementary schools. I taught at an English Camp in Gyeongsangnamdo in 2009-2010, so I am somewhat familiar with Gimhae and the public school system.

2011 Contract points:

+Airfare cost reimbursed (vs. 1,300,000 with EPIK)
+Transportation allowance of 50,000-150,000 (all teachers live in central area)
+Pay scale 2.0-2.6 (highest pay rate is for 4 consecutive years)
+90 days notice for resignation (usually 30 days elsewhere)
+Working schedule 30 min. before first class and at least 1 hr. after last class
+Housing deposit 10% of first basic salary
+Vacation advertised as 8 weeks, but this includes max. 2 weeks English Camp or teacher training in summer and 2 weeks in winter which are to be scheduled 2 months in advance. (I know most PS teachers have to do English camps during vacation and the notorious inability of Korean schools to schedule in advance.)

I know nothing is perfect, but it seems like a good overall PS contract.
Any current info. on what it is like to work/live there is appreciated!

[Ralphie]

In other cities, NETs teach a maximum of 22 classes per week. NETs are paid overtime if they teach more than 22 classes per week. In Gimhae, NETs must teach a maximum of 25 classes, before overtime pay applies.

[some waygug-in]

Depending on where you get placed, you may have to commute a looooonnnng way. Some of the rural schools are more than an hour by bus.


It's while since I was there, but I still have friends there. It is one of the better places to work overall, but it depends on a lot of factors.

Your principal/ co-teacher are the 2 main factors that can either make your job great ooooooooooorrr not so great. Some of the principals run their schools like prison camps and like to interpret things in your contract at their whim, regardless of what city hall will tell you.

I had to take 2 buses in the morning with a 10 -15 min wait between.

There was a direct bus, but it was packed like a sardine can...literally.

I found I would rather take my time on 2 buses than have to struggle through a crowd of middle schoolers, with elbows in my face etc.

If you get a school in the city though, you're golden.

You'd better make sure about that airfare, last I heard , if you don't go home between contracts, you get nothing, so be aware of that.

[spiraldance]

Thanks for the quick response!

I was aware of the 22/25 hours difference but figured 3 hours isn't much difference (unless those are your worst classes!)

I was limited on options since it is taking a LONG time to get my FBI check (first no official signature and now new fingerprints!)

I was just told it would be Gaya Elementray, which according to the bus schedule is 4 minutes away by bus or a 1.3 km walk.

I am definitely aware of the principal/co-teacher situation, and one of the reasons I hesitated to apply to a public school. It is a hit or miss situation in Korea. My last boss in Korea was a tyrant, but then again my mother's boss and co-workers are terrible in the states.

I just checked the contract, and it states you can go home or another destination if you renew.

[shostahoosier]

Three hours can be a huge difference if it means two days of 7 classes (full schedule) in a row.

[some waygug-in]