Korean Job Discussion Forums

mindlessroller21 · Joined: 08 Aug 2011

I'm going to be a first time teacher and I just got a contract sent to me offering 2.5 mil / month for a 5day 30 hour work week. It does stipulate that I may be asked to work Saturdays at the schools discretion but that if I work Saturday I will get another day off that week . My work hours are stated as 3:30 (4:30) to 9:30 (10:30). (What the hell do the numbers in parentheses mean?)

The only other weird thing about the deal is that they gave me 1 day to contemplate the position and asked me to get from America to Seoul and a little more than a week after they offered the job. It doesn't really offer me a lot of time to think which makes me nervous but I would be hesitant to pass up a job offer that sounds this good.

I also do not get Korean Holidays off besides newyears and one other...

Also I don't get an air conditioner...

So should I be nervous?

Swampfox10mm · Joined: 24 Mar 2011

2.5 is not "very high pay" for a hagwon.

The numbers in parenthesis probably mean there is an hour of prep required before classes begin.

You'll probably really want an air conditioner in summer. Where are you from? I find the summers here are similiar to North/Central Missouri. They will cost you about 175,000 installed for a used one, or 300,000 for a new one (if the landlord allows you to do that).

This isn't Poly, is it? If so, run the other way.

mindlessroller21 · Joined: 08 Aug 2011

Not even for someone with no experience and no teaching degree? I was under the impression that there is no way I'd be getting more than 2.2.

Also I don't know what poly is but it's not poly.

Swampfox10mm · Joined: 24 Mar 2011

Well, it's not bad for a start, but I guess I look at it from the perspective that I started at 2.2 million a month 9 years ago, and it was a whole lot cheaper to live here back then. It's a bit higher, yes.

Poly is Poly Returnee institute (the name is something like that). They pay higher, but require a lot more of their teachers (to the point that the extra pay isn't worth it).

I look at that Saturday thing in your contract and would assume that they would probably tell you mid-week, "Oh, we need you to work Saturday." Then you'll say, "So will I get Thursday or Friday off?" Then they will say, "Maybe next week, but we need you Saturday."

I would be a bit wary.

Tell them you would like to speak to both a current and a past teacher.

minos · Joined: 01 Dec 2010 Location: kOREA

I was hired for even more once before at a generic hagwon....owner wanted to sleep with me and was using the hagwon as a tax sevasion scam so there was no worries about cutting costs.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

If you work Saturdays you won't get another day off.

This will be overtime. If you agree to it once, you'll probably have a hard time getting out of it.

Do it if you want to, but I would shy away from Saturdays myself.

The numbers in parenthesis mean that the schedule changes, sometimes you start at 3:00 sometimes at 4:00 etc.

mindlessroller21 · Joined: 08 Aug 2011

The contract explicitly states that if I work 6 days a week I get bumped up to a 3 mil pay schedule...

The Floating World · Joined: 01 Oct 2011 Location: Here

2.5 IS high for a newbie.

My friend with 3 yrs exp here is at a uni earning 2.3mil.

My freiend who ha sbeen here for 8 yrs works at a Christian HS for 2.2mil plus 700k housing allowance.

I make 2.4mil at a hakwan and I've been here 7 yrs.

I COULD make more with a cpl of pt gigs instead of an ft, but that's a different story.

Trust me op - that is v good for a newbie.

Bring on the bs'ers who are going to laugh at me for being on 2,4 and my mates for being on lower and the poster doing the bashing earns 8mil for two hrs a day etc blahdy blahdy blah blah...

WadRUG'naDoo · Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Location: Shanghai

I make 7 million a month on only an hour and a half hours week. And a palace in the sky for free! My boss bows to me and gives me a coffee every morning as I walk through the door. All my students are little angels and the parents shower me with money and gifts. Everywhere I go, people know my name and they whisper "Teacher is coming. How we respect teachers!"

I'm also know as Mr. Kimchi because I've won the local kimchi-making contest three years running. During kimchijang, all the important figures of the community come to my palace for a kimchi and wine party.

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

Read that contract very carefully. Does it mention the National insurance and pension? Is the housing paid for?

Then, if the contract turns out to be okay, figure out where the school is located. If the school is in western bfe, it's paying the appropriate salary. I don't recommend that kind of location for your first year here. Wait until you know the lay of the land and have made a few friends before you do that.

ontheway

ontheway · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:58 am Post subject:

mindlessroller21 · Joined: 08 Aug 2011

The position is either in Daechi or Bundang, that hasn't been decided yet

I get housing covered in the contract. I get pension and insurance and severance.

The only things this contract does not offer which most do is Korean Holidays off and an air conditioner. Also I have the possibility of working saturdays although I get 25k overtime or 3 mil a month if I work 6 day weeks.

Any opinions on how much its gonna suck not to get korean holidays off?

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

You'll burn out after 2 -3 months. Even if you are gung ho about working that many hours, you won't be for very long.

You asked for opinions, that's mine.

Best wishes whatever you decide.

The Floating World · Joined: 01 Oct 2011 Location: Here

^^

I personally lean towards what he said.

But some people have more enrgy and thrive on working a lot and earning more. I used to work 2 jobs and pull in close to 4mil and tbh once you get in that high gear, you get used to it and the weeks just fly by. helps if you really want the money for a reason I guess.