Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GENO123]

Fair enough nevertheless esl teachers in korea to the back of the bus

[Fallacy]

Analagous to social norms in the US Deep South pre-1964 Civil Rights Act? Hyperbole.

[ippy]

My current schedule on my 2.3 is 19 classes/week. I should just stress, im hagwon baby! i aint running the sweet sweet epik life. On top of this, around 2-3 weeks before test time, the Korean teachers go all gung ho about the middle school kids. On those days i get to go home around 6pm (effectively working a half day). Oh, and i continually get told "ipps, you can go home" from my manager even though they personally wouldnt dream of leaving before the scheduled 9.30.

Those 12 hour shifts at Hyundai can suck it

PS. Yeah, i lucked out. But do remember, this wasnt a nepotism post. I didnt get this on reference from a mate (which is the usual means of finding a half decent gig). I got it from outside the country. They do exist. Its important to recognise not only this, but that sometimes youll actually have genuinely good managers along with a really productive and respectful working environment.

[Fallacy]

[GENO123]

[ippy]

I get the point, but you have to also remember that theres a certain confirmation bias in action. The good jobs are rarely advertised. They go from friend to friend by referral. The jobs advertised on Daves are usually on the lower end of the pay scale. A couple of years networking usually gives you a slightly better deal. Im not saying its an amazing life or anything, but it adds a bit more nuance to the discussion. Fair pay and conditions genuinely exist (for example the oft coveted after-school jobs or the network connection, or even just lucking out), but for obvious reasons they tend to be up for grabs a little less often than your revolving door sweatshop hagwon.

[wooden nickels]

[JohnML]

[ippy]

Dude, i dont genuinely care about how much money im on. I have a basic threshold. Its around 2.1 million flat. Anything higher than that is nice, anything lower than that is no-bueno. As mentioned, im also putting away 1000/month with no real effort. Perhaps thats my scottish thrifty genes at work, but im a man of few needs. And all of those needs are pretty much taken care of by very cheap hobbies (aside snowboarding). Compare this to my old job in the UK (shelf stacker at sainsburys during uni, and postie for two years after it) and its nice to not give a crap about 70 quid a week rent (2001-2005 - so very much higher by now id imagine), about 30% tax/student loan/NI deductions), and instead living on about 50% of my actual paycheque of a cool 300 pounds/week (a great deal of which goes on bills and council tax). Not really much scope for savings there.

Honestly, my 2.3 becomes about 2.2 post deductions, i dont pay rent, im not on the pull, im really wanting for nothing, so who the hell cares that its 'not that good' on some objective universal scale. Its great for me. I think youre not quite getting that. Its not great for you, and thats fine. Dont do it. Follow your rational self interest. Mine tells me that it beats the crap out of my work in the UK and it also, given my less than sprightly years and having locked myself into this career by accidentally staying a bit too long the first time i came out, it provides significantly more opportunity to at least build some saving foundation should i return to the uk and have to face an incredibly over-competitive graduate market.

Lets be honest, im no spring chicken, im not going to be any competition to a young and energetic 20 something for a graduate entry level job. Instead, im saving money here, im staying relevant in this field, im staying in the best paying market for a standard 9-5 gig in Asia (outside of JET), and im keeping my fingers in the pies for a potential move back to public school teaching in a couple of years to avoid hagwon burnout and keep things entertaining. On top of this, i have my savings to fall back on for another move into a different field (or to retrain and go back to uni).

I like the Korean market. Ive taught in Japan, Thailand, China and Korea, and its still my favorite of the four. Its literally never done me wrong. For exampls: Despite the incredible environment and culture and the job being very laid back, Japan destroys my savings every time i end up there. Thailand, even with its eternal sunshine and wonderful beaches is a rat-hole. Teaching is poorly paid and utter chaos. China's pollution and internet are awful and though you end up with a great deal of respect, the job is far more serious than the others (the students are amazing but teachers will really push you to teach like a Chinese teacher with incredibly dry repetitive exercises). Korea has that great mix of fun students, decent pay, nice benefits, good savings, and a great lifestyle.

I get that some of you want something else. Id definitely recommend a stint in China to be honest since that market is pretty much tailor made for a more entrepreneurial ESLer looking to subsidise a standard gig. If you have qualifications as well, Thailand is also a great prospect. Entry level is appalling, but once you cross into proper qualified status, youll be hitting anywhere from 60,000baht/month to 100,000. With the cost of living, and fun lifestyle, its definitely an option. Korea has a limit. I dont deny this. Its just that it fits what i want better than anywhere else. I dont feel impoverished, i dont feel like im suffering, i dont feel unhappy or unfulfilled. I love the people, i love the country and i love, believe it or not, my job. For me, its all right in that sweet spot. So really, telling me its not great just falls a bit flat. Its freaking amazing! But youre not me i suppose, so you dont necessarily see that.

[JohnML]

[Fallacy]

Statistics taken from the ROK Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) website showing monthly averages for the Education Industry (2014): Days worked = 17.5; Hours worked = 125; Payment received = KRW 2,363,000 won. "48 hours of teaching each week? I couldn't believe that..." because according to these statistics, such a scenario is clearly an outlier.

[GENO123]

[trueblue]

[Weigookin74]

[wonkavite62]

48 hours is insane. No self-respecting hagwon that cares about it's students or teachers should expect you to work that amount of time. How would you find enough hours in the day to lesson plan, or even find lessons online? Even if the hagwon plans the lessons for you, it's not feasible and the kids will suffer.
The boss clearly cares only about quantity of hours, not quality of lessons. It's also about greed, regardless of the economic situation. I suspect the boss will probably want to micromanage her too-I know this type of boss. If this is the case, no matter how hard the teacher tries, she won't succeed because it will burn her out. She should secretly focus on ONLY the essential needs of the job, while she plans her next move.