Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Markrly]

Would you ever consider working at a brand new school that is just opening? I mean the upside being they don't have a bad track record, but they have no record. No past or current employees to speak to about the working conditions, on time pay, etc. All the things you are supposed to check on you can't in this situation and so due diligence seems to go straight out the window. Is there any advantage to accepting a job at a brand new school? I say this because I came across this ad and was wondering what the general consensus is on working at new schools.

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=58987

[furtakk]

I would be more worried about making 2.1 for 9.5 hour days.

[ttompatz]

school or hagwon?

g1-12 School = no problem.

hagwon:

new hagwon + experienced teacher = usually pretty good if there is a fit between the boss and the teacher. Great room for growth as well as teacher development.

new school + new teacher = recipe for disaster (for the school and the teacher). The failure rate goes over 90%.

.

[Tyshine]

I work at a school that is pretty new. I am the first foreign teacher ever hired. My advice would be see what curriculum they have (if any).

[beentheredonethat777]

"Markrly"]Would you ever consider working at a brand new school that is just opening?
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H*ll no!! Unless I was the owner!
There's just too much that could go wrong.(especially if you're a newbie)
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This ^^ statement, coming from a highly adventurous, overflowingly positive, storm-weathered, risk-taking individual; should be weighed heavily when making your decision.

[ontheway]

If you are experienced as a teacher so that you can create your own curriculum on the fly, then it may be an interesting and exciting adventure. But, be ready to bail if the school fails.

Many new K - 12 private schools fail in Korea, classified in Korea as hakyos, as do private schools that are legally classified as hogwans. The government schools in Korea have already failed - they all teach nothing, but they won't go out of business for quite a while yet. However, the government schools are continuing to cut back on the number of native English speakers that they hire, so renewal could be a problem.

[newchamp]

[DaeguNL]

2.1 is pretty low, especially considering they are looking for a teacher already in Korea who can transfer his E-2 visa. Anyone who has experience should be closer to 2.3-2.5.

They mention paying the health insurance and severance, but omit pension...they probably don't pay it and boom there goes another 100,000/ month (for Americans and Canadians)

I guess it all depends on whether you are willing to take a 300,000/month paycut to work in a foreign owned school. Personally I would give it a pass if I was still on an E-2

[newchamp]