Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kvon0330]

I've been offered a position at Wabu High School in Namyangju city. It's part of the GEPIK program so the contract is pretty standard (I think). Does anyone have any information or experience with the school or the location?

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

[creeper1]

I don't have first hand knowledge of this particular school but GEPIK jobs are good.

Namyangju is not the best or most exciting place in Korea but in only around 45 minutes you can be in Jamsil, Seoul. ( A high speed bus will wisk you there.)

I'd take the job if I were you.

[Kvon0330]

Thanks, creeper! Your message is reassuring; your name is not, haha.

Really though, I appreciate your response. Thanks.

[Modernist]

Namyangju is no center of excitement, no. But it has the Korail line, which is a key thing in conserving sanity in Korea. And the buses, as noted by creeper--but do be aware that there is a quite remarkable and extensive intercity bus system connecting nearly every populated place in this country. Namyangju's is not really any different from anywhere else in Gyeonggi in this respect.

The biggest issue is what kind of high school this Wabu place is. Is it a Technical, Agricultural, Mechanical, Vocational or anything like that? If so, it may be pure misery to teach there. After MS in Korea, kids are sorted by ability pretty sharply. There are magnet-type schools for the best, like Foreign Languages, Math or Science HSs, academic ones for the middle ones, and Technical HSs for the lowest. Those kids have NO interest in or capability to learn English, but they are required to take it anyway. The teachers stuck in THSs are usually just punching the clock until they are allowed to transfer out, or they are horrible teachers generally who don't discipline the kids or back you up when you are trying to deal with them. So days can be very long, and expectations basically nonexistent.

Just be aware. It might be fine, but if I were you I would try to check out its Web site and ask about what kind of students go there.

[Kvon0330]

Thanks for your reply, Modernist!

This is the school's website: http://wabu.hs.kr/

I can't really make much of it (even when google-translated), but the kids look generally happy, so it must be pretty decent, right? Haha.

My recruiter told me that is was a "special school" and that I will only be teaching the students that elect to take my course. I don't know if that means the students will enroll because they actually want to learn or because it's supposed to be an "Easy A" course.

One thing I find a little troubling about the offer is that I will be the only native English teacher there, though I hear is common in public schools anyway. My concern is that I was told that there were 3-4 natives there up until recently, when the budget eliminated those positions; I don't want that to happen to me mid-contract.

Another concern is that they seem to be having trouble tracking down the last native teacher that did the job. I was told he's still in Korea at another school, but they can't find his phone number or something, which sounds a little fishy. But maybe I'm just being paranoid.

I'd also like to point out that I have had no contact with anyone from the school whatsoever; it has all been through my recruiter. We had attempted to set up an interview but it never happened. Apparently, they are basing my hiring on the content of my resume, my "professional-looking" photo, and the word of my recruiter. And they're in a pinch for an English teacher.

I'm supposed to send all my documents next week; I'm just a little worried that after I send them, this position will vanish and it will turn into "We have your documents, so you're gonna take whatever job we give you" kind of deal. Maybe I'm just paranoid from months of reading about all this stuff.....

[JustinC]

Hi Kvon, I wouldn't put too much stock in a previous teacher who was let go. As to budget cuts, unless someone can confirm otherwise you wouldn't be faced with looking for a position mid-term unless many, many other teachers were and GEPIK changed its core procedures significantly.

To not have contact with the school's staff is far from unheard of and doesn't portend to any particular doom or lacking on the part of the school or its faculty. In my experience it's more about your own attitude and the level of work you put in, rather than the, possibly, dozens of staff and hundreds of students you come into contact with.

I say go for it, try to find out the age of the students and get researching for materials on here, Waygook and barryfunenglish. *Pro Tip* make amusing PPTs, the students will love you. Anything else to relieve the pressure the kids are under will be more than welcome. With a GEPIK post you're already streets ahead of many (most?) hagwons and as the school has no NETs at the moment they'll be glad to see you. Not a bad position from the looks of it.

[Kvon0330]

Hey, Justin. Thanks for your response; I appreciate the feedback. I feel a little more at ease about the offer now. I'm supposed to be sending all my docs out next week and starting at the end of the month, so hopefully it all works out.

[Kvon0330]

Speaking of which, is it even possible for me to get my work visa that fast? I was told the latest I can start is June 20th, but I know it takes a decent amount of time to process a visa. Assuming they aren't having me do a Japan visa run (which I hear is an option), does that sound right?

(In my head, I'm being set up for a "Sorry, that job fell through, but we have all your paperwork now, so you're gonna take whatever we give you instead" kind of deal. Did I mention I'm paranoid? Haha)

[JustinC]

Hey Kvon,

I don't know about the visa situation. Where are you coming from? If it's the UK I could give some info, otherwise you'll need to speak to a few other chaps on this board.

The start date was probably signaled as being a be-all-or-nothing. I doubt if that's entirely accurate, especially as the recruiter has so much invested in you. It'd be great if you could start when they wanted but the life of an ESL teacher is far from simple! What ever happens take it on the chin, mate, and then improvise. You sound like you have all of the credentials to make a decent ESL teacher, and once you're overseas you'll get help from a co-teacher, us here and a neighbor or three. Where ever the chips fall then that's where you're at. It's my fourth country I've taught in and I've no complaints here. YMMV of course

[Kvon0330]

I'll be coming over from the US, Justin.

From what I was told, the school is without a NET, so I was told that they do want me over there as soon as possible. I've already been given the contract (though not yet signed by either parties), so I hope that makes things a little more concrete.

Thanks again for your input, and the positive attitude. I appreciate it.

[JustinC]

[Kvon0330]

Thanks again for the advice, Justin. Are you talking a "bike" like bicycle, or "bike" like motorcycle? I'd actually like to learn how to ride when I get out there (a motorcycle I mean), but I've heard the driving over there is... intense, haha.

I sent out my paperwork this week, so I'm hoping everything goes smoothly from here til at least my arrival.

[JustinC]

[Kvon0330]

Thanks, Justin! I appreciate the info!

How would you suggest one learn how to ride out there? Just hop on a bike and figure it out? Haha.

[JustinC]