Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zpeanut]

Hey everyone,

Looking for my first job ever in Korea. Worked for awhile back home but know nothing about what goes on here.

I would really like your opinion on these job conditions. It's a Hagwon. I've heard so many bad things about them I've come to think that all of them must be out to rip me off... but this place seems.. better?


What's offered:

- Money Equivalent to Round-Trip tickets
- Furnished Living Accommodation. (Two-bedroom Apartment)
- 2.0 million/month~ 2.2million/month( 2.2 million/month if insurance and pension excluded.) based on your qualification and personality.
- One month severance pay at the end of a 1-year contract.
- 10 days paid vacation plus all national holidays.
- Employer pays 50% of the medical insurance cost (covering the period of employment).
- Visa sponsored.

Job Description

Start Date: Presently recruiting for positions starting in feb, 2013. (or ASAP if a native stays in Korea, now)
Contract:12 Months (minimum), renewable.
Students: 10 or fewer students per class; 5-40 years old. (Kiddy to Adults)
Working Hours: 30 hours of teaching / week

Job Requirements:

besides the usual...
someone with a good personality, should be outgoing.
A person who loves working in a creative working place.
A person who loves to play performances and participate in any activities in the school.
A person who is willing to develop their careers for their future.
A person who does not smoke.
A person who likes to write and loves making revisions of writings in APA style.
A person who likes to sing.

------------------

What do you make of the 'creative' thing and the 'developing career' phrase, not to mention the 'loves making revisions of writings in APA..' .. and acting/singing?

Thanks

[ttompatz]

It is just an advertisement and means nothing until you see an actual contract.

The devil is in the details and they should be in the contract.

.

[John Stamos jr.]

Sounds horrible.

First job in Korea? Location: pohang? Member since 2008? You didn't even say what the hours were. I'd never work at a hagwon, personally. Especially if I had to sing and "play performances" whatever the hell that means...

[YTMND]

I like these two:

A person who is willing to develop their careers for their future.
A person who likes to write and loves making revisions of writings in APA style.

If you want to develop your career, I am not sure ESL teaching is the way to go, at least not just 1 year at a hagwon

Wouldn't it be the students making the revisions?

[JustinC]

If it wasn't for the hours then I'd say it's worth a further look. 30 hours teaching could be 40 periods, each 45 minutes long, which gives you enough time between periods to change books and gulp a coffee. Unless you have extraordinary amounts of energy after 12 months you'll be burnt out, stressed out, dislike teaching, kids, Korea etc etc. You wouldn't have learnt much either because you'll have no time for preparation and will be just following the book.

Now on that point the recruiter may say "Oh it's only 30 periods of 40 minutes" but unless that's specified in the contract then take it with a large pinch of salt. Even worse it could be split shifts = goodbye social life.

I'd want much more pay to put up with those hours. You can get the same pay for less quite easily, for example public schools here contract a NET for 22 teaching periods, each 40 minutes long - 14 teaching hours.

As to 'creative' anyone can plagiarize, and who doesn't want to develop their future prospects?

[zpeanut]

[John Stamos jr.]

You said you have a masters degree. Sign some shady 3.3% tax contract, call them on their illegal bs setup, get a LOR or make a visa run after a few days, then look for a much better job at a university or intl. School. Just bring a few g's in savings. You are a fool for even considering sticking it out at a hagwon for a year. Get the free plane ticket then get out of there after a few days.

[zpeanut]

[CentralCali]