Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ballerina2012]

Hi all,

After reading a lot of threads on here, I am beginning to wonder if applying to teach in Korea is a big waste of time? There seems to be a lot of people who say there are no jobs, and what jobs there are will be taken by teachers already there. I have a Master's degree in education and have taught for over 5 years. I am looking to go over in Aug/Sept.
I have spoken with two recruiters, one of which I have read good things about, and he didn't act like there would be any problem finding me a job. I am one of the people who ask dumb questions on here, but since I have never done this please have pity on us newbies..Thank you.
Anyway, any help is appreciated..

[jrwhite82]

You will easily get a job here.

With your Master's, license and experience you should look into international schools though. A bit more competitive but the compensation packages are usually much better. (better vacation, apartment, pay, etc...)

[Ibsen]

I am also a newbie here so take what I say with a grain of salt, but from what I have heard (I have made posts similar to this one myself) is that there are still plenty of jobs available, BUT the difference is "good" jobs and "just okay" jobs.

The amount of "good" jobs is of course more scarce since the supply of potential teachers still outweighs the demand for these types of jobs. If you are less picky and are willing to accept a "just okay" job, then you will find yourself with much less stress and a much easier time finding a job. Now the difference between these "good" and "just okay" can be a variety of things... Location, pay, etc. are big factors. Since you have a masters you might feel like you should be more picky with your choices, but that could bite in you the butt ultimately since most employers aren't looking to pay more for a master's degree. Either way if you are having a lot of trouble finding work in your home country then going this route is not a waste of time at all.

Anyway that's just what I have heard on these forums over the past few months. I'm a newbie myself and still in the process of getting my documentation ready for my first trip to Korea, so my info is by no means the "official" word on what is going on. Hopefully some vets will come in and better answer your question.

[ttompatz]

Please allow me to add a nickel's worth of my own opinion.

With a M.Ed, teachers license and classroom experience I question why (other than perhaps desperation for employment or Korean heritage and an urge to return to the homeland) anyone would want to become an assistant teacher in an EFL classroom at entry level wages. (Seems to be a recurring theme with US teachers of late.)

Proper international schools offer remuneration packages that are about double what entry level EFL jobs offer with nice perks as well.

try places like:
http://www.ibo.org
http://www.tes.co.uk/jobs
etc.

I will add that when you are looking at jobs abroad do NOT limit yourself to looking at the base salary (a problem many newbies have). Look at the whole package and the NET SAVINGS at the end of the year.

A package with a gross annual value (wages and benefits) of 45 million won may look pretty good but at the end of the year you end up with about $12000 in savings.

In a proper international school, the NET program in HongKong or work at a government school in Taiwan (as examples) the pay will be about 10% less but will end up with with savings of about $15000 per year with the same (or better) standard of living.

I took a job in Thailand (after leaving the GPOE in Korea) with an annual base salary of about $10000/year less and end up saving about $5000/year more due to the greatly reduced costs of living and have a much nicer standard of living (3 bedroom house instead of a 2-room office-tel, 14 weeks of paid annual vacation, on-going professional development, etc).

.

[warmachinenkorea]

With your credentials try for a university position or international school.

I'm certified in Special Ed and can say it's a different world from what I was doing in the US. My wife and I came over simply to get pay off our debt. When we're done I will go back to teach and coach.

[b-class rambler]

[Ballerina2012]

Thank you all for being so kind. I am definitely looking for low stress. I have taught in some pretty rough urban schools. I know that Korea will not be all wine and roses but a change will be good for me. I have applied at a few international schools, but no luck yet. I am also hoping to take my daughter and finding her a school will be difficult.
I had not thought of any other countries because I like how modern Korea is, USA friendly..but I will check them out.
I am actually very excited at the possibility of all this. I have been to Russia and some other European and cities in Mexico, so travel is a plan too.
I also like the idea of saving some money to help pay my grad school fees.
I really appreciate your opinions and encouragement..

[thegadfly]

Ballerina,

I sent you a PM about the school I work at -- it is a hakwon, but I think it is one of the elusive, mythical "good" hakwons, and it certainly pays better than any PS position I have heard of...they are not hiring right now, but then, you aren't looking for a job right now....

In any event, with your credentials, you should be able to get one of the higher-end starting jobs, and fairly easily. From my own experience with public schools in Korea, I would suggest that you will feel frustrated as a "co-teacher," and would likely be better off somewhere that gives you your own classes -- an international school or a "good" hakwon.

[jrwhite82]

Is it just you and your daughter or your husband/boyfriend too?

International schools might be the way to go then because you can usually enroll her for free as part of the employment package.

Is she of school age or would be in PreK or Kindy?

[Ballerina2012]

It will just be me and my daughter. My son will probably come visit, but not stay. My daughter will be 11 by this Fall. I am very concerned about finding her a school. THAT is probably my only worry at this point. I really don't care where they put me as long as I can get to a city fairly easy for emergencies etc.
There are always a million questions but finding someone who is patient enough to answer them seems to be the problem. For many this is "old hat" but for us new people, it is very scary!
Thank you all..

[warmachinenkorea]

[Ballerina2012]

I am an MAT in Elementary and secondary education. Plus P.E.

[hogwonguy1979]

Have you looked at DODS schools? I have a couple of friends who teach on base here and get a really nice package, plus fantastic housing allowances. Much better than a univ or Int School here.

If not then a univ would be your best option, best pay, low hours long vacations, problem is where would you school your kids. Int schools are insanely expensive here and even a univ salary would be tough to cover that

[Ballerina2012]

How do I find DODS jobs?

[thegadfly]