Korean Job Discussion Forums

English Matt · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

Make the classes fun for the students, easy for the coteachers, try to get along well with the higher ups and everything will be fine.

My job seemed perfect when I started because my handler had a crush on me; she drove an hour across the province to give me a box of donuts when I was at orientation, liaised with the principal and got him to pay me 100k an hour to teach (talk) to his niece....she even went so far as to split the money she got paid for extra classes during the summer period with me (several million won). When it became apparent I wasn't interested in her.....things got worse (refusing to talk to me, screaming at me in the teacher's room, etc). As I became more independent and developed relationships with other teachers (especially some of the older guys who liked to go on smoke breaks with me), things became better once again.

As mentioned before, it all comes down to the relationships you build with those around you. The last NET might have had a great time, but (depending upon how you go about things) you might find the exact opposite to be true in the same school.

sojusucks · Joined: 31 May 2008

One of those unknown factors that can impact your situation is how much the last foreign teacher (hopefully) raised the bar or (more likely) lowered the bar for foreigners at your school. If you follow someone who was professional and well-liked you can expect to treated better than someone who follows a weirdo, a runner, or someone who may have had an affair with the co-teacher or other teachers at the school.

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

1st PS - middle school. Cool principal. I was a newbie and S's were unmotivated. Traveled to countryside 2 days per week and those two schools were actually awesome experiences. Got a good reference.

2nd P.S. - Super-traditional principal. No latitude. Lot's of bureaucratic mumbo jumbo. One CT could barely speak English and as a result I was blamed for poor performance. Actually, the teacher who replaced me got to befriend a robot buddy for their contract.

3rd P.S. Cool school, however a mix of 1 and 2. My CT won't understand foreigner ways of thinking and makes my experience their miserable. The principal and V.P are great, however I just stick at my desk and plan and don't befriend co-staff due to language barrier. I doubt I'll re-sign.

Actually, I'll be top-level pay in the highest paying province but I really need a break. Might go to Thailand and then Vietnam.

NohopeSeriously · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 3:44 am Post subject:

jeremysums · Joined: 08 Apr 2011

Good job makes you happy. For some its about the wages, for some its about a kick back job.

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

Whatever your choice, please don't be swayed by the notion that you won't get paid in a public school. I have dealt with dozens of PS teachers in EPIK, GEPIK and SMOE and have never encountered anyone who lost money that was owed to them. On the flip side, every single person that has ever worked for a hogwan that I know here (including two different ones for myself) has been swindled out of at least some level of cash whether it be blatant or creative accounting to deny you OT or vacation pay.

I also want to add that I find it hilarious that people still complain about desk warming at PS, especially in comparison to a hogwan. Fine, don't get paid to sit at a desk. Instead teach 9 classes a day with no breaks and only 2 weeks vacation per year.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

Who's Your Daddy? · Joined: 30 May 2010 Location: Victoria, Canada.

plchron · Joined: 26 Feb 2011 Location: Korea

most NETs should or do leave a note. The guy I took over for hooked it up with cleaning the apartment and a ton of advice and some of his buddies numbers, so i had people to hang out with from the get go. You won't even know what school you are getting until you land, unless you go with a recruiter that works directly with the public schools. So you won't have a chance to talk with the former employee until after you start your job in most cases.

bbud656 · Joined: 15 Jun 2010

My public school tried not to pay me my airfare and severance. 2 complaints to the POE coordinator didnt help much. Finally I had to threaten legal action and they paid, about 5 weeks late. They also didnt pay me overtime on a few instances or organized camps so I didnt make overtime when I should have. Lots of nepotism and incompetence. And good luck having any leverage when you have a problem with someone when everyone is related. You think foreigner vs Korean problems are bias, wait till you add family into the mix. Public schools here are a mafia. Glad I never have to go back to that system.