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liveinkorea316
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Location: South Korea
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 Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 11:26 am Post subject: |
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| Bruce W Sims wrote: |
| jrwhite82 wrote: |
If you look at the salary scale, then yes 2.3 is average. But the overwhelming majority have to be making 2.0-2.1. The average salary is probably around 2.1-2.2. Let's say 2.2 for arguments sake.
Housing costs - 500-800? Please. First of all, housing allowance is only 400. So that drops the average down big time right there. I'd say the average is 500 flat. 400 is not an arbitrary figure they pulled out of no where when making the contract. It was enough to cover average rent back in 2009-2010. And since rent prices went up. I'd say 500 is fair. So we are 2.7 now.
Airfare. Airfare has gotten pretty expensive. Looking at a Korean air one way ticket to Chicago. (I chose Chicago because it is right in the middle of the US which is where most teachers come from and it isn't as far as NY but further than LA). $2500 (OUCH!) They need to stop using Korean air as their basis for flight reimbursement. 2500x2 (incoming and outgoing is 5,000,000. But some teachers are hired in country so they don't have to pay incoming. So lets lower the average down to 4,400,000 So that's +370,000 when broken down over 12 months. We are now at 3.07.
Recruiter fees. 800,000/12. 67,000/month = 3.1 million
Training events, coordinators, administrative costs. Not sure how to estimate that but lets say it costs a total of 20,000 per month per teacher because it is divided by over 800 people. (room and board for orientations, coordinator salaries because this support staff isnt needed if there aren't NETS, etc...)
I'm leaving pension and health care out because Korean teachers get it too.
And it stays around 3.1million/month.
Any other benefits that I'm leaving out that Korean teachers don't get?
Now they conveniently left out chuseok and lunar new year bonuses that we don't receive that Korean teachers do. That's about 2,000,000 right there.
A more accurate description would be to compare us not to Korean certified teachers, but to the contract teachers. They don't receive that bonus at my school. Not sure about others. Their salaries are around 2.1 I think for just starting out. But I'd have to think we are providing a heck of a lot more bang for the buck than they are. I love all my co-teachers but I can run circles around them when it comes to teaching English (and probably only that). Plus, they tell me all the time how much I've helped them with their own English and making sure they're teaching it the right way, which is a huge benefit. And I'm sure almost everyone on here can claim the same thing.
So I don't see the big difference. Of course I pulled almost all those numbers out of my butt. So who knows!? |
Not to pick nits, but to ask a serious question, JR.
I noticed in your list you did not include income from Overtime. Since this is a regular theme on this forum (IE. "forced Overtime", "working Saturdays", "camps") I had begun to think that this is a routine part of the teacher responsibilities albeit "volutary" to one extent or another.
Ques: Is there a figure, perhaps a range, you can share that might give a sense of the impact of the typical amount of Overtime on a monthly check? How about teaching "camps"? If vacation is paid, is it possible to pick-up additional cash by teaching a camp over one's vacation? In fact, given the illegality of teaching for someone other than one's sponsor, is it even allowed? What about voluntarily teaching a camp for the employer? Would doing such duty during one's vacation mean getting vacation pay plus compensation for the teaching?
Is it even allowed? Thoughts? Anyone?
Best Wishes,
Bruce |
OT at public schools is paid by parents because it is an extra school class. When I taught in a public school they charged the parents for each class and at the end of the month I got (most of) that money.
As you know vacation for NETs in public schools is about 2 weeks whereas students vacation times are 4 months roughly. So that leaves plenty of time for NETs to teach school organised Camps during office hours for no extra money. |
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Bruce W Sims
Joined: 08 Mar 2011
Location: Illinois; USA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks; understood.
I was also thinking of the various announcements that include advice that
Overtime will be compensated somewhere in the area of 20K/Hr. I guess I am working to understand if anybody has seen a significant impact on their pay check in this regard. Anyone?
Best Wishes,
Bruce |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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| NohopeSeriously wrote: |
| We can always pay an anti-homage to the current right-wing government that happens to be more xenophobic than the previous Roh government. |
I was always under the impression that the Roh govt. was more xenophobic, certainly more anti-American and that 2MB and his ilk were pro-American and more apt to support English. However Roh was certainly more pro-government employee and public education.
Our previous mayor was Hannara (2MB) and very pro-English, while our incoming mayor (Leftist) helped slash a bit of the budget.
Any further insight into this would be appreciated. I may get the right to vote in locals here soon, so the more info the better.
As for the whole GEPIK thing, while I for one would state publicly that our industry is absolutely essential and that cutting us would result in the apocalypse, I am forced to conclude that we are a luxury not a necessity.
The stark reality is that the private market offers superior education than the public market. The schools here are a relic of the industrial age, public education in general is.
Also the central truth remains that English ability is essentially up to the desire of the student, combined with natural scholastic aptitude. This means that whether you have a robot or a telecom or an NET, you are going to get approximate results.
Really, there doesn't seem any reason to have this kind of program at the provincial level. Leaving it up to the individual schools or districts might be efficient, though not necessarily so.
All is not doom and gloom however. The good news is that English is still regarded as being necessary for success in the business and academic world.
What this means is that even though we may lose our public job, there will still be a sizable demand in the hagwon market.
Now this may mean that the they become more selective about whom they hire, but with us already having experience we should have a leg up.
I would also maintain that there should still be demand for us in the more rural/smaller cities.
Why? Yes, the people here are more likely to be ignorant farmers, but in spite of that or perhaps because of it they are also more likely to want their kids to go onto college and move up the ladder. In many cases I have found them to be far more supportive of English educators. Unlike in say a Seoul or Gyeongi where we are a dime a dozen and viewed in a very utilitarian manner, in the boonies we are the only game in town. The competition isn't between English teachers, the competition is between parents for us to give attention to their son or daughter.
Also the smaller towns tend to have a bit of an inferiority complex to their more cosmopolitan cousins, and so often are more supportive towards English. Their principals and education ministers love to point to data and numbers showing higher test scores, especially in English. Their base is all full of laboring families who desperately want their children to escape that life style and they have to play to it.
Yes, there are a few more racist idiots and laughing kids. But most of the NETs I know who work in rurals actually thrive off of it. They are strong people who don't let such things get to them. Almost always such stories are counterbalanced with tales of receiving a crate of fruit or being invited into someone's home for dinner or whatnot. The thing is people out in the stix can be more genuine. If they think you're a lousy foreigner, they show it. If they take a liking to you, you'll probably end up forming some sort of regular 50-50 Korean and foreigner dinner and drinking and sports group.
Yes, you want have clubs and McDonald's. Yes, you might have to take a weekend trip somewhere to find a date. But the air is nice, you get to enjoy a more rural lifestyle and rural hobbies, and you get more time to develop yourself and do things like read books or do crafts. You also get to experience the good parts of the old ways and meet interesting characters.
The silver lining is that for better or worse, Korean parents are highly competitive and want to squeeze every last edge. They know English can make or break you in getting a job or getting promoted. They also believe that having an NET at A Hagwon/Public School might be a small edge over B Hagwon without an NET/Public School. Korean parents sniff these things out. The work work work mindset works in our favor.
Yes there are some bumps on the road ahead. Wages might not do the best in the future, the market might get tighter. It is a global recession after all.
The best thing to do is what has always been sound advice- Save your money, and continue to develop yourself and advance in your field. Things are going to be more competitive. Face reality or get tossed overboard on the bumpy waves. You have to fight for your good life.
EdIT- Boy...you can really tell when my coffee kicked in while I was writing this....
Last edited by Steelrails on Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:19 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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| some waygug-in wrote: |
This is something that Korean teachers have been hoping/fighting for ever since NET's were first introduced to the school system.
Whether or not other systems will follow suit, I can't say, but I can say that a lot of (but not all) the Korean teachers will surely be happy if it does happen.
Whether it's about protecting Korean jobs or trying to keep education "purely Korean" or some other reasons, who can say for sure,
but budget cuts are just the excuse they are looking for. |
There are opponents of having foreign teachers in the classroom, that's for sure. Who are they? How about the Korean teachers, hagwon owners, Koreans who hate foreigners, and some others. They made the budget/funding as their target to accomplish their dirty work.
Is this what's best for Korean children? Of course not. But it is in the best interests of some powerful people in Korea who want to please their constituencies, so here we are. Politics is about raw power and we don't have any. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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No one can ever claim that foreign teachers cost too much for the schools. The schools always received plenty of money from the school boards. It's not our fault that Principals used the money for things other than the English program.
If you want to look at bad investments with Provincial educational funding then look no further than the English Villages. |
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Bruce W Sims
Joined: 08 Mar 2011
Location: Illinois; USA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
The stark reality is that the private market offers superior education than the public market. The schools here are a relic of the industrial age, public education in general is.
Also the central truth remains that English ability is essentially up to the desire of the student, combined with natural scholastic aptitude. This means that whether you have a robot or a telecom or an NET, you are going to get approximate results.
Really, there doesn't seem any reason to have this kind of program at the provincial level. Leaving it up to the individual schools or districts might be efficient, though not necessarily so.
All is not doom and gloom however. The good news is that English is still regarded as being necessary for success in the business and academic world.
What this means is that even though we may lose our public job, there will still be a sizable demand in the hagwon market.
Now this may mean that the they become more selective about whom they hire, but with us already having experience we should have a leg up.
I would also maintain that there should still be demand for us in the more rural/smaller cities.
Why? Yes, the people here are more likely to be ignorant farmers, but in spite of that or perhaps because of it they are also more likely to want their kids to go onto college and move up the ladder. In many cases I have found them to be far more supportive of English educators. Unlike in say a Seoul or Gyeongi where we are a dime a dozen and viewed in a very utilitarian manner, in the boonies we are the only game in town. The competition isn't between English teachers, the competition is between parents for us to give attention to their son or daughter.
Also the smaller towns tend to have a bit of an inferiority complex to their more cosmopolitan cousins, and so often are more supportive towards English. Their principals and education ministers love to point to data and numbers showing higher test scores, especially in English. Their base is all full of laboring families who desperately want their children to escape that life style and they have to play to it.
Yes, there are a few more racist idiots and laughing kids. But most of the NETs I know who work in rurals actually thrive off of it. They are strong people who don't let such things get to them. Almost always such stories are counterbalanced with tales of receiving a crate of fruit or being invited into someone's home for dinner or whatnot. The thing is people out in the stix can be more genuine. If they think you're a lousy foreigner, they show it. If they take a liking to you, you'll probably end up forming some sort of regular 50-50 Korean and foreigner dinner and drinking and sports group.
Yes, you want have clubs and McDonald's. Yes, you might have to take a weekend trip somewhere to find a date. But the air is nice, you get to enjoy a more rural lifestyle and rural hobbies, and you get more time to develop yourself and do things like read books or do crafts. You also get to experience the good parts of the old ways and meet interesting characters.
The silver lining is that for better or worse, Korean parents are highly competitive and want to squeeze every last edge. They know English can make or break you in getting a job or getting promoted. They also believe that having an NET at A Hagwon/Public School might be a small edge over B Hagwon without an NET/Public School. Korean parents sniff these things out. The work work work mindset works in our favor.
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Agreed.... the greatest successes I have had in my career have all revolved around students approaching me and letting me know that they have had this or that insight into something. Such events cannot be orchestrated by agencies. They proceed from a level of intimacy between the teacher and the student. At some level I think even the most down-trodden in Society appreciate this and seek it out.
I have heard it said that courts do not give Justice; they provide an opportunity for Justice. Along these same lines I don't think that having schools does not guarentee Education but rather an opportunity FOR Education.
You put some great thoughts in your post. Well said.
Best Wishes,
Bruce |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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| wylies99 wrote: |
| some waygug-in wrote: |
This is something that Korean teachers have been hoping/fighting for ever since NET's were first introduced to the school system.
Whether or not other systems will follow suit, I can't say, but I can say that a lot of (but not all) the Korean teachers will surely be happy if it does happen.
Whether it's about protecting Korean jobs or trying to keep education "purely Korean" or some other reasons, who can say for sure,
but budget cuts are just the excuse they are looking for. |
There are opponents of having foreign teachers in the classroom, that's for sure. Who are they? How about the Korean teachers, hagwon owners, Koreans who hate foreigners, and some others. They made the budget/funding as their target to accomplish their dirty work.
Is this what's best for Korean children? Of course not. But it is in the best interests of some powerful people in Korea who want to please their constituencies, so here we are. Politics is about raw power and we don't have any. |
I think in-classroom NETs are better.
Unfortunately, that's not the issue. The issue is cost-effectiveness as it relates to the education in a public school as a whole.
You know who else is against English Teachers? Not just the usual ignoramuses, but teachers who teach other subjects and face budget cuts as well. We're talking music teachers, science teachers, computer teachers, etc. etc. There is not unlimited money on this tree. If you or I taught a different subject, we might have a different view. Imagine if Korea imported music instructors or history teachers or some such, yeah, we might view the "other foreigners" as needing to be cut.
Now I know some us feel that the NET is the single most important part of a Korean child's education  , sorry but this is not the case. Get over yourselves.
If I, as an administrator, cut the NET in order to upgrade the teacher's lounge or some such, shame on me. However if cutting the NET (and going with digital education) results in a 10% decline in English but the money saved allows me to do something that boosts science/math/the library by 30%, then maybe that's what I should do.
Heck take it a step further, if I can take that 10% decline in English and give even a 5% boost in say, National Health Care or something like that, then that's worth considering. Budgets are interconnected everywhere.
Blaming English Villages, or Jealous Koreans is a cop out. The real reason is the one every person knows everywhere- The global economy is in a dumper. The labor pool everywhere is oversaturated and the amount of funding available is stretched. We have never been entitled to these jobs and we certainly aren't going to be in the future.
Welcome to the economy of the 21st Century.
Again, there is a tremendous silver lining and that is the private market. We can rest assured in continued demand for our services for at least another 20 years, and the market will dictate that we will make at least a passable wage.
No it's not the glory days, but it ain't doom and gloom either. You just have to get competitive and develop a sense of urgency rather than a sense of entitlement.
The parents and the kids want to continue to be taught by us. We've generally done a good job. Just look at how kids walk in and talk to us while their parents look befuddled. Multiple times I've had older people grab some elementary school kid to act as a translator. We work. For every parent or teacher that "hates us" there are professionals and parents out their who have received career or academic advancement because of our services. We will continue to be in demand.
It's just that now it's slowly starting to switch from a bureaucratic and inefficient government operation to even more emphasis on the private market. |
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jrwhite82
Joined: 22 May 2010
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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| liveinkorea316 wrote: |
| Bruce W Sims wrote: |
| jrwhite82 wrote: |
If you look at the salary scale, then yes 2.3 is average. But the overwhelming majority have to be making 2.0-2.1. The average salary is probably around 2.1-2.2. Let's say 2.2 for arguments sake.
Housing costs - 500-800? Please. First of all, housing allowance is only 400. So that drops the average down big time right there. I'd say the average is 500 flat. 400 is not an arbitrary figure they pulled out of no where when making the contract. It was enough to cover average rent back in 2009-2010. And since rent prices went up. I'd say 500 is fair. So we are 2.7 now.
Airfare. Airfare has gotten pretty expensive. Looking at a Korean air one way ticket to Chicago. (I chose Chicago because it is right in the middle of the US which is where most teachers come from and it isn't as far as NY but further than LA). $2500 (OUCH!) They need to stop using Korean air as their basis for flight reimbursement. 2500x2 (incoming and outgoing is 5,000,000. But some teachers are hired in country so they don't have to pay incoming. So lets lower the average down to 4,400,000 So that's +370,000 when broken down over 12 months. We are now at 3.07.
Recruiter fees. 800,000/12. 67,000/month = 3.1 million
Training events, coordinators, administrative costs. Not sure how to estimate that but lets say it costs a total of 20,000 per month per teacher because it is divided by over 800 people. (room and board for orientations, coordinator salaries because this support staff isnt needed if there aren't NETS, etc...)
I'm leaving pension and health care out because Korean teachers get it too.
And it stays around 3.1million/month.
Any other benefits that I'm leaving out that Korean teachers don't get?
Now they conveniently left out chuseok and lunar new year bonuses that we don't receive that Korean teachers do. That's about 2,000,000 right there.
A more accurate description would be to compare us not to Korean certified teachers, but to the contract teachers. They don't receive that bonus at my school. Not sure about others. Their salaries are around 2.1 I think for just starting out. But I'd have to think we are providing a heck of a lot more bang for the buck than they are. I love all my co-teachers but I can run circles around them when it comes to teaching English (and probably only that). Plus, they tell me all the time how much I've helped them with their own English and making sure they're teaching it the right way, which is a huge benefit. And I'm sure almost everyone on here can claim the same thing.
So I don't see the big difference. Of course I pulled almost all those numbers out of my butt. So who knows!? |
Not to pick nits, but to ask a serious question, JR.
I noticed in your list you did not include income from Overtime. Since this is a regular theme on this forum (IE. "forced Overtime", "working Saturdays", "camps") I had begun to think that this is a routine part of the teacher responsibilities albeit "volutary" to one extent or another.
Ques: Is there a figure, perhaps a range, you can share that might give a sense of the impact of the typical amount of Overtime on a monthly check? How about teaching "camps"? If vacation is paid, is it possible to pick-up additional cash by teaching a camp over one's vacation? In fact, given the illegality of teaching for someone other than one's sponsor, is it even allowed? What about voluntarily teaching a camp for the employer? Would doing such duty during one's vacation mean getting vacation pay plus compensation for the teaching?
Is it even allowed? Thoughts? Anyone?
Best Wishes,
Bruce |
OT at public schools is paid by parents because it is an extra school class. When I taught in a public school they charged the parents for each class and at the end of the month I got (most of) that money.
As you know vacation for NETs in public schools is about 2 weeks whereas students vacation times are 4 months roughly. So that leaves plenty of time for NETs to teach school organised Camps during office hours for no extra money. |
I'd like to take that a bit further. Each school has a certain amount of "discretionary" funds that the principal and VPs can spend. For example, at my school I am directing the English play, and the club was given a certain amount of money to build a set, costumes and pay my OT salary. The parents aren't paying for this. However, at other schools the parents do pay for a lot of the OT work that the NET does.
I'd say, on average, just from the people who I've spoken to, the average PAID OT per net would be about 1-2 hours per week. I say paid because although they might be working slightly more, they lose out on some hours because one week there is an exam, so they don't teach their regular classes, but still teach the OT class, but it doesn't count because 4 of your regular classes were canceled. Again, I don't have any basis on that but my own experience, discussions with other teachers and what I read on here and waygook.
Technically, it is against immigration law if you are on an E2 visa to take on other work. So working at other schools (hagwon) camps during the summer on vacation is illegal and most schools (maybe all) will not give you permission to do it. At each PS teacher's school they will usually run camps. For 2-4 weeks during each vacation. The NETs (and other contract teachers) are required to be at school during these weeks, and any other weeks when there is no camp, but he is not using his personal vacation time. However, that is up to the Principal. Some NETs will even teach at other public schools (As directed by their principal or district office) or do work directly for the District Office during the summer time. It is my understanding that they don't receive any extra pay for this. But they might receive a travel stipend. These kind of camps are most certainly an exception and would be negligible in affect the average NET's salary.
Basically the way our vacation works as GEPIK teachers is this. We get 20 days of vacation. We can use those days during the school's Winter and Summer vacations. As you an imagine, there are more than 20 days of the schools Winter and Summer vacation. So those 20 days are usually split. For example, my school had 7 weeks of winter vacation. I taught 3 weeks of winter camp, used 10 days of my personal vacation and sat at my desk (virtually alone) for 10 days. Doing some prep, arguing on Daves, and watching movies and football on my PC. Some of my favorite hobbies! This policy is up to the discretion of the Principal and VPs. Some will allow their teachers to take vacation during the semester. For example, my students all went on a 3 day school trip. Contract teachers were not invited to attend. So I asked if I could use some vacation during that time even though it was mid semester. It was approved. Other principals will not require their teachers to desk warm. So when there is no school and no camp, the teachers can stay home.
So back to the camps. You don't get paid extra for them. Also, teachers don't usually get OT during the vacation months as well. So that lowers the average monthly salary as well. |
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silkhighway
Joined: 24 Oct 2010
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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| The toilet bowl world economy doesn't help, but I expected this for a long time. It's just the market maturing, and the people who suggest technology can make up the shortfall have a point. Korean teachers have all the opportunity in the world to provide authentic English immersion material using the internet, you-tube, skype, etc. No, robots and computers will never replace contact with a real English teacher, but really, how much contact are students really having with you in a class of 40 students once a week? It's just basic cost/benefit here. |
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kingplaya4
Joined: 14 May 2006
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, what's with all this vitriol towards Korea/Korean teachers? Just scared of losing that 2 million a month job? I say blame your home countries for outsourcing all the jobs that they have, rather than blame Korean. (Otherwise most teachers wouldn't be here, let's face it.) The handwritings been on the wall for the past few years at least. When the clerks at convenience stores start speaking to you in English, you have to know our time is up pretty soon.
Korea's economy is on fire by the way, so at least at the moment, eliminating foreign teachers has nothing to do with Korea's economy. Look at the KOSPI or look at the unemployment rate here (under 4%). Ask some of your students what their father's make (I'm shocked how many make 10 milion a month).
What's going on? Don't really know. But all the money that has been spent on English surely could have been put to better use, since the main focus of most initiatives here is to improve the economy. Imagine if they put all that money towards scientific research? Go to Japan and see how many people speak English there. Yet their exports are still quite popular. I believe the only thing that has propelled Korea past Japan in some exports has been Korea's ability to manipulate its exchange rate. Look at the difference between the won-dollar and the yen-dollar over the past few years.
The main argument I can think of for continuing things as they are is that so much has already been spent, you might as well keep it going for a few more years until Korean teachers are really ready to take over themselves. Seriously though, Korea has no obligation to employ us. I do think they have an obligation to treat us better than they have been while we're here. Anything beyond our contract is up to Korea and the invidual schools we work for. Renewal is a priviledge, not a right. It's a big world out there, and the pay and benefits here (mostly because of the effects of inflation) are no longer that great. For those of us who still have a job at the moment, I say take this as a wake up call to save even more diligently so you'll be ready for further education or possibly a move back home. |
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kingplaya4
Joined: 14 May 2006
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Skippy wrote: |
This recent news shocks me - but I am not surprised by this. In the end public school English programs are full of big promises and precious results.
Really do you expect students to learn when they have to learn with 30 plus other students. Then include that most students will get waygook teacher for 1 class a week. Also, that almost every 3 out out of 4 classes planned will be canceled. I saw it as a big waste of money a few years ago. |
Assuming logic is being used in this process, what this poster said has to be a big part of things going this way as well. You don't see hagwons with 30+ students in them, at least I've never seen that. |
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liveinkorea316
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Bruce W Sims wrote: |
| They proceed from a level of intimacy between the teacher and the student. |
Just be careful with your words. Koreans could be watching and you might get us all deported. |
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Malislamusrex
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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The fact that you said that learning English has nothing to do with the economy is nonsense. Any country that can't do business in English is totally fudgepacked.
You obviously have no idea about the Korean economy. Korea is sitting on a massive debt and an interest rate that is rising. On top of that the US is not buying it's manufacturing goods so Korea will have to depend more on her service markets.
The one thing Korea needs to develop it's service market is an English speaking labor force but Korea will will not have one because of national politics to protect 'Korean' jobs.
I worked as an FX trader, the fact toy think that Korea is supplying goods because of Korea's ability to manipulate it's exchange rate is laughable. Korea is a market economy and there are no barriers of entry, what influences Korea is supply, demand and government subsidies.
| kingplaya4 wrote: |
Wow, what's with all this vitriol towards Korea/Korean teachers? Just scared of losing that 2 million a month job? I say blame your home countries for outsourcing all the jobs that they have, rather than blame Korean. (Otherwise most teachers wouldn't be here, let's face it.) The handwritings been on the wall for the past few years at least. When the clerks at convenience stores start speaking to you in English, you have to know our time is up pretty soon.
Korea's economy is on fire by the way, so at least at the moment, eliminating foreign teachers has nothing to do with Korea's economy. Look at the KOSPI or look at the unemployment rate here (under 4%). Ask some of your students what their father's make (I'm shocked how many make 10 milion a month).
What's going on? Don't really know. But all the money that has been spent on English surely could have been put to better use, since the main focus of most initiatives here is to improve the economy. Imagine if they put all that money towards scientific research? Go to Japan and see how many people speak English there. Yet their exports are still quite popular. I believe the only thing that has propelled Korea past Japan in some exports has been Korea's ability to manipulate its exchange rate. Look at the difference between the won-dollar and the yen-dollar over the past few years.
The main argument I can think of for continuing things as they are is that so much has already been spent, you might as well keep it going for a few more years until Korean teachers are really ready to take over themselves. Seriously though, Korea has no obligation to employ us. I do think they have an obligation to treat us better than they have been while we're here. Anything beyond our contract is up to Korea and the invidual schools we work for. Renewal is a priviledge, not a right. It's a big world out there, and the pay and benefits here (mostly because of the effects of inflation) are no longer that great. For those of us who still have a job at the moment, I say take this as a wake up call to save even more diligently so you'll be ready for further education or possibly a move back home. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Ask some of your students what their father's make (I'm shocked how many make 10 milion a month).
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I think you lost a lot of credibility with this rather foolish point. Why would it ever be ok for teachers to ask their, I assume, young students questions like this? Why would most kids know what their fathers earned? Why wouldn't young kids just say the first sum that came into their heads if they were asked a question like this? Daft |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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| TeaTime wrote: |
| So what you guys are saying is that there is never a reasonable amount of job security in Korea ever? Just gave the 30 days notice to move out of my apartment with plans to work for SMOE, kinda freaking out here... |
Hey TeaTime. I know I referred you to this page, but I didn't mean to freak you out. GEPIK is a separate program from SMOE. I just referred you here so you'd be aware of what's happening at least in this public school program. You're probably fine, just have an exit strategy (maybe in the form of extra money for a plane ticket home, or just while you are here, looking for other positions). |
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