Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stew1988]

I just wanted to get an outside opinion on this. I won't name any names in terms of schools / companies, but these are some of the options I have and have to make decisions on quite quickly...

1.
TYPE: One to One, Private language school.
STUDENTS: Adults
PAY: 2.3 Million
POSITIVES: Teaching adults
NEGATIVES: Split shifts, flight is reimbursed rather than paid in advance.

2.
TYPE: Language Chain School
Students: Elementary/Middle
PAY: 2.1 Million
POSITIVE: Chain School, System in place with good reviews.
NEGATIVES: Hefty work load

3.
TYPE: New Hakwon
STUDENTS: Elem/Middle
PAY: 2.2 Million
POSITIVES: Less hours (1:40-8:40)
NEGATIVES: New school, no foreign teachers.


What do you think?

[modernseoul]

[The Floating World]

Just in my opion based on experience of all 3 types.

1. 6 months, let alon a year of split shifts will break your soul. Fuhggedaboutit.

2. The workload will break your soul and you are easily replaced, thus have zero leverage.

3. Lesser workload and they NEED you. No brainer.

[stew1988]

I am skeptical about the 8 hour day split shifts. That being said, it's a job with adults with I would much rather do. They are rushing me into the decision however and want me to decide a.s.a.p and get the documents out to them. They need someone quickly, however I do have different options in the pipeline. I have a very nice sounding one in the pipeline that involves editing / teaching / administrative duties combined...if I hold out for that one however and do not get it, I've blown both my chances of working with adults...

I would like to apply for all of them, however the VISA will be linked to one job and I have to make my decision on one of them. I appreciate the fact however that I cannot be picky given my situation and just getting accepted back into the country would be a bonus.

[The Floating World]

[stew1988]

It pays 3 million plus accommodation etc

[Whitey Otez]

I've done all three.

1. One to one with adults...Make sure that the company doesn't have the word "cube" in its name. Also be wary of one that rhymes with "ravens." Both are the stepchildren of a failed system. The split shift sucks, to be sure, but more importantly, one to one can be especially brutal. You get a fair share of people too shy to study with other students, meaning drawn-out awkward silence that you are supposed to figure out means either "processing" or "completely lost." Also, the students who complain about ever the most trivial thing will be amplified, overlooking the 90% of your students who say nothing or even positive things. Another consideration is whether you choose your housing or if they expect you to commute 45 minutes each way twice a day.

2. Heavy work load can be okay if you are organized and they don't constantly drop things on you at the last minute possible.

3. New places are always attractive, as you get the kids and the staff from the ground floor with no baggage. Being the only foreigner can be very isolating, but I've also worked in offices with a greater than fifty percent foreign staff that was almost as isolating. Purely from a professional standpoint, make sure that you hold your position as a foreign teacher with separate responsibilities and separate treatment. You may want to set a precedent of not attending meetings that are entirely in Korean. Those meetings suck, and you'll be bored to tears wishing you could be doing something productive.

Having said all that, I recommend the adult job. Less abuse in your office, and you might be treated like a grown-up.

[stew1988]

Thank you very much for your reply....so, let's just say that the adult school does happen to have the word cube in it, are you saying to avoid this place?

Cheers.

[zombiedog]

I'd take the new hagwon gig. It can be a crap shoot, but there's some serious drama when you have to work with other foreigners.

[bbunce]

Is it the One-to-One school in Si-heung? If it is, avoid it like the plague. The only reason they say reimburse is because they don't plan on paying it back. Tell them you want the airfare paid and will reimburse them if you don't work at least 6 months.

[stew1988]

It's Yeoksam...after looking at the contract though, i've decided to give it a miss...the contract was absolutely abysmal to be honest and I'm not settling for that, even if it does provide the opportunity of working with adults

[Whitey Otez]

You've made the right choice. They used to be a bigger company with a niche market. You would be wearing a lab coat and teaching out of a closet space. The one I worked for gave secretaries manager titles and the whole organization was a joke. But that was just my perspective, I'm sure other people enjoyed it. Looking at their roster, I see that no one I knew stuck around.