|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
|
 Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:21 am Post subject: Wages and conditions are declining |
 |
|
| Quote: |
[Job detail]
Location: Seodaemun, Seoul
Class Level: Elementary, Middle
Payment: 2.0 mil won / month
Starting from: ASAP
Completion bonus: equal to one month salary after completing the contract
Class size: 10 students
Housing: A single furnished studio provided (teacher pays housing utilities)
Working schedule : (Monday ~ Friday) 2pm~10pm
Vacation: 2 days in a year (2 in summer/ excluding holidays, weekends)
Airfare : No |
Simon Littlewood, President of Asia Now:
"In terms of growth, South Korea is not a Tiger anymore. The days of double digits are probably gone." |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
liveinkorea316
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
Location: South Korea
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
That job will be lucky to get filled. No airfare? 2 days non stat holidays? 2mil and 2pm to 10pm?
But they will probably fill it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
If you plan on staying in Korea, you don't need the airfare, but the 2 day vacation thing is questionable 
What constitutes a sick day? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NYC_Gal 2.0
Joined: 10 Dec 2010
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
| koreatimes wrote: |
If you plan on staying in Korea, you don't need the airfare, but the 2 day vacation thing is questionable
What constitutes a sick day? |
Who would "stay" in Korea for that low a salary? That's a starting salary at a PS in many cities, and hagwons generally pay more, yes? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
| koreatimes wrote: |
If you plan on staying in Korea, you don't need the airfare, but the 2 day vacation thing is questionable
What constitutes a sick day? |
If the contract doesn't mention sick days, that means there are none. (There is no law against this.)
Airfare (to and from the country of origin) is good because many like to visit friends and family rather than stay in Korea without a break for years and years. Korea can be good at times, but if I couldn't get away every once in a while, I would go insane.
I've seen many ads with 5 days vacay, 3 days vacay, or 2 days vacay per year. Teaching 40 hours a week in a hagwon with such little vacation would really wear me out.
I remember when 2.2 million with 10 days vacation and airfare used to be standard. No more.
Now: less vacation, WAY longer work weeks (40 hours, as opposed to 25-30 hours seen in the past) for less money, and fewer jobs are providing housing and airfare. Now that the market is flooded, employers can both lower wages and be more selective in regards to who they hire (which in many cases means a preference for F visas and females).
| Quote: |
Do you love to teach great content?
Are you a serious teacher?
Are you creative?
Would you like to teach bright kids?
Are you focused, engaged and fun?
Are you detailed?
Are you bright?
Are you positive?
Do you love a challenge?
Are you that special person who understands,
teaching is excellence?
We are a seriously fun place focused on teaching exceptional content in English.
If you feel you are the right fit, please answer our call.
Please only SERIOUS applicants!
Working Hours: Mon.- Fri.11:30 to 7:30
Duration: 1 year contract
Duties: Managing Books, Read to Aloud, Manage Students Reading Plan, Curriculum Development, Lesson Planning, Teaching, Assessment, Library Program Development
Levels: Pre-school to 6th Grade
Salary: 1.9 - 2.1 Million Won
Education: BA or BS. Experience in Children's Literature or Library Science
Visa: F4 female
How to Apply: Send resume, cover letter, photo, contact info. for three references. Please have all necessary paper ready for processing. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pest2
Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
| But the wages and conditions are going up in China... It used to be that Korea was way way better in terms of savings potential. Now that the price index has gone up in Korea while wages are basically the same or less, this is not the case so much anymore. You can now (unlike just a few years ago) find jobs in China that pay 1500$ a month and provide free housing, and since the cost of living is lower, it probably just as easy to save there... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Who would "stay" in Korea for that low a salary? |
Yes, it is low, but depending on who you are, you might not need to spend much. You might end up with more in the bank than someone else with a higher salary who blows money away. I never said it is a perfect job for everyone. A 10 student max is not bad, and maybe the school is good. I would rather be with a good school at a lower salary in Korea than a higher paying one that might flop and no longer want to pay me, cutting costs. It's easy to lose several thousand in transition.
Just because it is low doesn't mean it is better, bit of a turtle and a hare thing. However, I wouldn't take the job from abroad. I would only take this kind of offer if I could go in person and visit the school. Then, it would be obvious if I liked it or not. If it seemed risky in any way, then I would never accept it. I would definitely ask for sick days to be added or I wouldn't sign it also. Maybe that in itself "disqualifies" me.
Just my personal viewpoint on it. I am not trying to convince anyone to take it.
| Quote: |
| If the contract doesn't mention sick days, that means there are none. (There is no law against this.) |
I never claimed it was illegal. I was questioning it on pure logical reasoning that people get sick from time to time. It's not illegal to only sign contracts with sick days too. I was bringing it up as a position, not as a complaint.
| Quote: |
| Airfare (to and from the country of origin) is good because many like to visit friends and family rather than stay in Korea without a break for years and years. |
Well, ok, then for those DON'T SIGN IT. I wasn't speaking on behalf of everyone. I was merely pointing out IF you aren't going to travel, then you don't need it. You would be inside the country and that condition would have zero influence.
Last edited by koreatimes on Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:40 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| jobs in China that pay 1500$ a month and provide free housing |
Usually those offers don't come with housing. If you plan on Beijing or Shanghai, plan on spending a bit for your own place. The only way to get around it is to rent a room where you share the apartment or have a boyfriend/girlfriend where you also share the expenses. Also, the job environment with these higher paying jobs is not good. You often have to commit to 6 day work weeks.
I am not saying don't do it, but a more realistic saving amount is closer to $800-$1,000
If you can find a job that will give you more after expenses are deducted, then you are either really lucky or you need to be wary. Chinaesl likes to offer these "wonderful" jobs like this. However, you end up being farmed out to different schools and/or promised an apartment and full-time position after 3 months. It's a gamble move and many people get stung.
It's much more realistic in China to accept a bit lower salary (with less hours, I only work 3-4 days) and take privates. In that case, you don't have the 1 school per teacher rule enforced as much. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NYC_Gal 2.0
Joined: 10 Dec 2010
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Who would take that low paying a job even with vacation? If you're in country, you should be able to find a job with either salary, possible lower hours, more vacation, and sick days. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pest2
Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
Actually you can land a job in SH or BJ for more like 2000$ a month w/out apartment at an adult school where u have to work 6 days, etc... But you probably need a TEFL cert and / or some experience.. for a newbie with neither of those, its going to be less. Can't argue, saving 800$ to 1000$ is right for China. But now that Korea has gotten so much more expensive, that figure is probably the same for Korea, too. Korea might still have China beat in terms of pension and bonus pay at contracts end, but thats about it.
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=24052
| koreatimes wrote: |
| Quote: |
| jobs in China that pay 1500$ a month and provide free housing |
Usually those offers don't come with housing. If you plan on Beijing or Shanghai, plan on spending a bit for your own place. The only way to get around it is to rent a room where you share the apartment or have a boyfriend/girlfriend where you also share the expenses. Also, the job environment with these higher paying jobs is not good. You often have to commit to 6 day work weeks.
I am not saying don't do it, but a more realistic saving amount is closer to $800-$1,000
If you can find a job that will give you more after expenses are deducted, then you are either really lucky or you need to be wary. Chinaesl likes to offer these "wonderful" jobs like this. However, you end up being farmed out to different schools and/or promised an apartment and full-time position after 3 months. It's a gamble move and many people get stung.
It's much more realistic in China to accept a bit lower salary (with less hours, I only work 3-4 days) and take privates. In that case, you don't have the 1 school per teacher rule enforced as much. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Actually you can land a job in SH or BJ for more like 2000$ a month w/out apartment at an adult school where u have to work 6 days, etc... But you probably need a TEFL cert and / or some experience |
Hey look, I am in Beijing, and I can tell that is not true. In Beijing and Shanghai they advertise differently. There are no $2,000 jobs comparable to an E2 visa holder in Korea.
If you want 15,000 RMB or more , TEFL won't cut it. You need to teach math, physics, etc...
If anyone is considering coming to China, 6-8,000 RMB is your average salary range. 4,500 is for a university job and you don't teach much. You will see 10-12,000 offers but they only help you find an apartment. In Beijing they really push kindy positions. Class sizes ARE NOT 10 per class. It's more like 20-30 (40-45 students in public school classes).
| Quote: |
| Can't argue, saving 800$ to 1000$ is right for China. |
That also supports that there aren't $2,000 job offers, unless these people are spending $1,000-$1,200. I haven't spent much in the past few months and I think it's been under 1,200 RMB (which is like $200, and that includes getting a pair of pants). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
koreatimes
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=24052 |
This advertisement is not accurate. I interviewed with them in Shanghai.
They will NOT pay 15,000 your first year definitely. Also, they will not get you an apartment in addition to this salary. They will only help you find one. Then you have to pay a landlord 6 months rent plus a security deposit they call "yajin", which is one more month. So, at 3,000 (low for rent in Beijing) you would pay a minimum of 21,000 out of your own pocket before starting to work for them.
"The teaching methodology Web adopts is a combination of Computer Aided Language Learning (CALL) coupled with communicative interaction in the form of Small classes, Salons, Social clubs as well as a number of diversified extra-curricular activities. "
The way it was explained to me is that the teacher is NOT involved with the web part, only small classes and salons. I am not sure what they mean by social clubs, but I guess it's like a salon but with a specific subject. Perhaps if you work there for 1-2 years you can "specialize" in one area and maybe get a little more. I highly doubt a first timer will be teaching a class like that.
"Class size: 4-10 students (Ages 18+)"
For the salons, I was told it is more like 20-30 students.
"Flight reimbursement"
I was told 6,000 (3,000 after 6 months working). You never get your flight reimbursement before you start. With this said, I have seen 8,000 offered for flight reimbursement with other schools.
"ELT/TEFL/TESOL/TESL/CELTA Certificate"
I wonder if this means you pay to get trained. Be careful of the costs and post in the China section before paying anything.
If anybody hears different from Vanessa or bunny (mentioned in the ad) feel free to correct me. Don't assume any ad for a Chinese position is accurate. They will lie to get you to come for an interview. They will not tell you everything upfront. Recruiters in China are not like recruiters in Korea. You often have to interview in person with the recruiter first. Then, they will take you to a school where you give a demo. You can wear jeans and normal clothes for the recruiter interview. However, you have to dress up for the school interview. That's 2 interviews per school with a new recruiter, they will NOT give you good directions to their place, and they will NOT meet you at a subway station. Learn to read the Chinese characters or hand the phone to a taxi driver and pay more. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Riker
Joined: 28 Dec 2010
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I wouldn't work in Beijing if you value your lungs.
I hear some parts of China are bearable but Beijing is not one of them. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
carleverson
Joined: 04 Dec 2009
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| liveinkorea316 wrote: |
That job will be lucky to get filled. No airfare? 2 days non stat holidays? 2mil and 2pm to 10pm?
But they will probably fill it. |
Are you kidding? Some desperate newbie will jump on this to have a chance to work in Seoul. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tran.huongthu
Joined: 23 May 2011
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| pest2 wrote: |
| But the wages and conditions are going up in China... It used to be that Korea was way way better in terms of savings potential. Now that the price index has gone up in Korea while wages are basically the same or less, this is not the case so much anymore. You can now (unlike just a few years ago) find jobs in China that pay 1500$ a month and provide free housing, and since the cost of living is lower, it probably just as easy to save there... |
Yes but you don't get airfare, severance or pension. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
