Korean Job Discussion Forums

[erinn14]

Hello all. A little about me really quick: I am 25, have a B.S. in English (would eventually like to get me MA TESOL), have some volunteer teaching experience, ESL tutoring experience, and lots of experience working with young children (camp counseling, church programs, etc.). I also have a 120 hour TEFL certificate from Oxford Seminars.
I have a huge love for S.E. Asia and Korea in particular. I have never been there but grew up with a large group of Korean students who went to my high school. I learned a lot about the culture, language (I speak and read some basic Korean), food, and much more.

In any case - - I am joining the ranks of many from Native English speaking countries (I am originally from NZ, but am a US citizen now and currently live in the states) to go teach ESL. It is something I am serious about pursuing as a career as well.

The past month I have been talking to recruiters, a few different schools (have had a few interviews), have been offered 3 contracts so far, and am considering accepting one in particular (which I have until Tuesday to decide).

I do have a few questions - - especially as I am new to all of this and do not want to end up in a bad situation like I hear about so many people that do this - - especially in Korea.

1) The school is a SLP Hagwon. I have heard a lot of negativity about SLP (i.e. "Slave Labour Program"). I have done A LOT of research (it's in my nature to do quite a bit of research and to be careful. That being said, I don't mind taking risks either. Just carefully planned risks). I know not ALL SLP schools are bad. I have heard of people having good experiences as well. The school I am leaning towards seems legit. I have a recruiter who is working with me and found the school for me. She has a good track record with Oxford Seminars (a very reliable ESL company) so that is reassuring. She has been placing ESL teachers for 15 years.

2) I have spoken to two current teachers at the school (both have been there over 2 years). They answered all of my questions in great detail, which was nice. However, when I responded and asked if I could Skype or potentially look them up on FB I have not heard back at all (it has been 4 days). Is this potentially a red flag? Or am I just being paranoid. I only ask because after an interview with another school (Avalon) I was connected with a teacher from that school and the e-mail I was sent ended up being fake. As in, I googled it and found the same exact e-mail on a Korea job forum from 2010. So that discouraged me from the authenticity of the "teachers" I may or may not be speaking to.

I don't believe the two teachers I've spoken to at the school I'm interested in are fake. I just want to make sure they are being sincere in their answers.

3) I would be working about 24 teaching hours a week (40 "at school' hours), weekends off. 10 days paid vacation plus national holidays (they've stated that if a holiday falls on a weekend I get the following Monday off). I would be teaching a class of around 10-15 kindegarten age children with a co-teacher.

4) The contract does not include return airfare. I've been told by my recruiter that this is becoming increasingly more of a thing - especially for Hagwon's. I wanted to confirm this.

5) They are offering 2.2. I have been told by others on Korean job forums (mainly on FB) that this is very low. However, every where I look (when I am looking at jobs, especially in Korea) this seems to be the going rate (or in fact slightly above) for someone of my qualifications, who doesn't have any teaching experience.

6) They are offering half coverage of medical care. A native Korean friend of mine said they should cover ALL my medical care. Not sure if this is common or not.

7) Housing is paid for. I have been shown pictures of the housing.



Anyways . . . I haven't noticed too many red flags with this school. I've spoken extensively with my recruiter and had an almost hour long interview with the Director of the school. However, what I am hearing from many OTHER ESL teachers in Korea is slightly discouraging (i.e. "you WILL screwed, just accept it." and "you are an idiot if you go work for an SLP" - - even though I've spoken to many who have worked for a SLP and have had only good experiences).

I know everything won't be roses and sunshine and that's fine. I know I am expected to work quite a bit and that's fine! I do want to be a teacher after all! This is also my first time teaching ESL and going overseas to do this (I do have previous experience travelling overseas) - - so I don't know what exactly is in my rights to "demand" or "expect" without being too picky.

Any suggestions or insights would be most helpful so I can make a good decision and not find myself in a bad situation.

Thank you!

[Qonny]

[basic69isokay]

Korea is NE, not SE.
It is bitterly cold in Winter. Also, your love for the culture will last 6 months tops. But, I say do it. Get 1 year done in Korea, then move on to China ASAP. Korea is expensive, and overrun with teachers. The ppl have decreasing interest in English too. It's basically Japan at this point.

[Weigookin74]

Go to China. You'll make more money and people are more friendly. Most of us Korean vets are ready to depart.

By money, I mean the living cost is much much cheaper. Many school in lesser tier cities and towns will give free accomodation and pay your utilities. So, don't reflect on salary alone. Your savings potential is much much greater there.

Korea is a spent market. Most of us are only here because we got here years ago when the getting was good. In other words, it ain't what it use to be. You don't save or make the money here like you did before.

Good luck.

[Shimokitazawa]

Don't do it.

Stay home. Find a career there.

You're considering entering a reality where there's no turning back, especially the longer you stay on planet Asia teaching EFL.

Be warned.

[Smithington]

Westerners who are gung-ho about coming to Korea for 'the culture' have no idea what they're in for. It ain't for the faint of heart. Despite what the tourist brochures and the OP's Korean friends might suggest "Korean culture" is very rough around the edges. Your first day will include lots of men spitting, hacking, snorting, getting bumped into, people cutting in line, almost getting killed crossing the road, piles of trash everyone, bronze-age table manners, loud neighbors, unethical employers, and plenty of xenophobia. If the OP decides to come to Korea she needs to come with both eyes wide open, otherwise she will be very disappointed. There are plenty of good things here in Korea, but "the culture" ain't one of them.

[Lucas]

[Qonny]

[Shimokitazawa]

[Qonny]

I think the thing is, a lot of you guys are on the wrong side of 30 (or 40) and you have little to no contact with the FOBs coming in nowadays.
Yes, personally I find Korea to be pretty dull in terms of culture. Its like they have taken Chinese and Japanese culture and removed everything that is unique or interesting.
But the fact remains there really are plenty of kids coming here (especially female <30) who genuinely like Korean culture.

[jleblanc]

[basic69isokay]

True. I saw a dude with a hangul tattoo, another guy who loved taekwondo. Both males under 30. 10 years ago, even 5, people got made fun of for coming to korea. Then suddenly everyone did it, and now its washed up as a destination.
Those people who love korean culture are oddballs though.
The culture is probably the WORST thing about Korea, honestly.
No tipping, convenient, low taxes, pretty good food, etc...
But the culture? Sexist, ageist, violent, alcoholic, misogynistic, dishonest, I mean even Koreans will tell you they never do business with other Koreans while abroad. They know its dangerous. If you're not part of their circle, they wont hesitate to screw u over. Hence, why Korea is the voice phishing/scamming capital of the world.
But hey, I say do it. But only as a springboard to China.

[Shimokitazawa]

[Sesame]

OP sounds like me at one time, an eager, young, naive innocent little esl-virgin. A perfect prime piece of meat for Korea and the reality thereof to chew up and spit out onto the cold sidewalk that I most assuredly will accidentally step in on my morning commute.

Korea sucks. But as one already mentioned, I'm already trapped here. (married). But there's many out there who aren't married to a local that are just as trapped.

[bmaw01]

You people are looking at China with those colored glasses. I'm sure you could find people on a forum for ESL Chinese teachers bad morning China.

My suggestion is to do a year, and you decide on own of you like the culture or not. You might want to stay for a while. Who knows? But, you will never found out until you do it. Take the chance.

You people are talking thru your own biographies. Just because you had a very negative experience in Korea doesn't mean she has to do the same.