Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jklunder]

Hi Everyone,

Several people have recommended that someone "hard-core" like me apply to Gangnam Hogwans to teach SAT Prep.

Can you guys name some good academies? Or, at least, can you tell me how to find them?

Thanks for the consideration,

Joe

[Slowmotion]

Isn't "Hackers" one of those academies? (retarded name)

I heard the teachers there make good money, the only thing I don't know is if they hire foreign teachers. Anyone know?

[Dog Soldier]

Can you describe to me in detail what it is about you that is hardcore?

[T-J]

여기에서 물어봐야 하면 담력이 없나봐.

[Chokse]

I used to teach at some of these SAT prep schools in Kangnam (several years ago) and a few of my friends still do. I'm not going to tell you the names because most don't stay open longer than a year, and it is not difficult to get off the bus/subway at Kangnam, Dogok, or Apkujong and find a few of these schools after hitting the pavement for 30 minutes. They're not hard to find.

But, you should know that it is very difficult and unsteady work. During the school year (Late Jan. - late May, and from late Aug. - mid Dec.) you will have very sporadic work and most of it will be late at night (starting at around 6:00 and finishing by 10 PM or later. Also understand that this might not be every day. You might only have work on Tue. and Thur. evenings, for example.

Also, working all day Saturday is basically mandatory. The bulk of your school year hours will be done on Saturdays. You'll likely start at 9 AM and will work until 10 PM, with only a short lunch and dinner break. You will also be expected to help students with school projects at no additional pay, and this work can often go into the wee hours of the morning because the students wait until the last minute to get started (meaning the night before).

During the summer vacation period (intensive course time), you'll work like crazy and again, it is mandatory. If you don't do it they'll fire you and find someone who will. You'll probably teach at least 50-60 hours a week, probably more, and you will be expected to work Mon-Sat, for an average of 10 teaching hours per day. You will also be told to work on Sundays quite often during this time. So basically, from early June until late August, you'll leave home very early each morning and get back home very late at night. You will have no social life for those months as there is just no time left over to have one.

Also, even with your experience and degree, you will likely start at 30,000 won or 35,000 won per hour. There is no way you will start higher than 35,000 won per hour. I have friends who have been teaching at these schools for over 10 years, and they only get 45,000 won per hour.

But, if you can deal with the pressure and the loss of weekends, you can make some good money. Just over the 10 week summer intensive classes, you should be able to pull in close to 20 million won. Over a year, you can probably approach 60 million won if you include the winter and spring intensives, as well as the normal work during the year.

Finally, don't forget that while some of the SAT prep schools will sponsor an E2 visa, NONE of them will provide housing or airfare. That will be on you. If you are on the E2, you will get medical and severance, but will likely start at 30,000 won or less per hour. If you have an F4 visa, you will not get any benefits, but will probably be able to talk them into 35,000 won per hour if your resume can be verified.

Think it over. This SAT prep stuff is not for everyone. I did it for 2 years before I got burned out. Perhaps you should look into university jobs?

[jklunder]

Thanks; that's genuinely good advice.

I will think it over. It sounds like I just need more experience teaching and living in Korea before things become finalized.