Korean Job Discussion Forums

dairyairy · Joined: 17 May 2012 Location: South Korea

Has anyone heard anything about more positions being cut?

maximmm · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

Ummm... the idea is to cut NETs, or what they now call GETs (the new title clarifies things, no?) altogether at some point in the very near future. So any cuts you may be hearing about now are not at all surprising.

After all NETs are cut, we'll be replaced by robots and many teachers that are unable to speak English well. Meanwhile, hagwon business will skyrocket. Good times are coming if you are in the private sector.

Of course, while hagwon owners will be making a bundle, NETs will actually make less than before because the market will be so over-flooded due to the public school cuts (the current rumor is that airfare will be cut from the employment packages next year).

Of course.... there is also the 'Korea lagging behind Japan by 10 years' scenario. In which case, public school jobs will not be cut in their entirety, but we'd still be looking at the continual deterioration of the job market for the next 10 years before the recovery.

Weigookin74 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009

Sister Ray · Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Location: Fukuoka

Airborne9 · Joined: 01 Jun 2010

From what I gather, Funding is stable until next year. Possibly the Elem school positions funded through GPOE will get cut.
as for the schools that are being funded from City hall? Who knows? Probably in a next year or two those jobs will start to disappear

chrisinkorea2011 · Joined: 16 Jan 2011

From what I was told firsthand by someone high up is that the high schools are all being cut and some middle schools as well. It was a good run being here and making money but now its gonna screw over the schools because the korean teachers here who "teach" english (and I use that term VERY loosely) cant hack it. No if,ands, or buts about that. Ive worked public school for 4 years and every year the teachers (even the younger ones) are missing those key parts/points in their english. Not to mention that the books that the students learn from SUCK.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

High school and middle school (E2) positions will largely disappear (nationwide - not just EPIK or GEPIK) from the PS system.

Elementary school positions will remain for the foreseeable future.

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optik404 · Joined: 24 Jun 2008

chrisinkorea2011 · Joined: 16 Jan 2011

DaeguKid · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Location: Daegu

I have also heard that universities are changing their level of expectations for hiring. Hogwons don't count for jack anymore and the elemantary level is considered .7 years if you work there for one year.

A uni can hire you if you have 2 years experience with a masters and 4 with an undergrad.

Personally, I dont think that is cool. Hogwons are where a lot of teachers learn how to teach ESL. The EPIK program must be a joke, having to teach 40 kids at a time who are just not interested or a breeze for others.

For me, I got in at the right time, 2007, into a good uni gig. Good luck to the EPIK folks next year, looks like you will need it.

wonkavite62 · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Location: Jeollanamdo, South Korea.

I remember trying to get a GEPIK job a few years ago, and it was like opening a can of worms. I was granted the visa, but at the last minute the school wanted EXTRA documents they knew I did not have. I decided to keep my job in the U.K.
In theory things should be more stable than they are. But after 2007, there was a frenzy of changes and new rules in the public schools. The govt. wanted many new teachers-oh no, oops-actually they didn't. It's like so many angels dancing on the head of a pin. Much vanity and vexation of spirit.
I recently started teaching in a high school ,and I've had some GOOD classes. But, honestly, I don't think the politicians know what they want.
In the future things could change again. And please DO keep an eye on China, and Japan, and the rest of Asia. There ARE SOME PLEASANT SURPRISES TOO.