Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jordan123]

I've no Korean teaching experience, (am currently in the US).

I've an interview with Kyungnam University scheduled 11am Sunday am (Korean time).

Does anyone have any info on this company / location?

Thanks!!

-Jordan

Here's the details of the job posting:

QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates must have a Master’s degree (TESOL, education, linguistics or a related field is preferred) plus a minimum of two years experience at the university level or three years experience at the middle/high school level. Teaching experience in private academies will not be counted.

BENEFITS:
-Monthly salary of 2.23 million won for B.A. holders, 2.33 million won for Master’s degree holders. A raise of 100,000 won will be applied when a contract is renewed.
-20,000 won per hour overtime is paid for all credit course hours over 14 per week.
-Unfurnished individual on-campus accommodation with a/c, free internet access and optional cable TV (monthly stipend of 300,000 won given for teachers living off campus).

FACULTY POSITION DETAILS:
-One-year contract, renewable.
-Teachers may teach credit freshman English, sophomore conversation, writing, listening, interview and business English classes as well as non-credit classes, teacher training and vacation programs.
-Faculty members can be asked to teach a maximum of eight weeks during vacation periods per contract year. All vacation work is paid extra at overtime rates.

[PRagic]

The pay sucks, but if you're just looking to get over here to get the lay of the land, at least housing (though on campus...ugh) is provided. The 300 they offer as a housing allowance won't get you squat so take the apartment and bank as much as you can if it's bearable.

Downside is a high probability of multiple preps, plus the one month extra teaching during each of the two breaks. Yeah, it's paid, and, yeah, given the already low salary you'll probably want the extra coin, but their overtime rate blows and decent university gigs don't insist on this stuff.

You'll also be down south, so there'll be a difference in terms of what's available compared to a job in, or in proximity to, Seoul.

[denverdeath]

[Jordan123]

[quote="denverdeath"]

[PRagic]

How much of your experience is in Korea? Not many universities hire ESL teachers from outside of Korea. SNU might (I heard years ago that they did, but don't know now), so you could send them an application if they're hiring.

So even though the pay and conditions aren't that great, you're qualified for better jobs so you might benefit by coming over, doing a year there, and during that year, hunting for greener pastures. If your MA is in a related dicipline (AL or TESOL), you might be able to move to a better gig after one year in the trenches. Never know.

[Fallacy]

I have to agree with PRagic. Unless that university/department has set a specific hiring objective for bringing in off-shore talent, then I suspect the OP is potentially being mislead by the selection committee. Candidates already here get a first look, period. Overseas applicants are routinely used as distractors to make the hiring committee's search process appear wide, and fair. However, if everyone locally avoids applying, or candidates turn down offers after interviewing, then there are negative reasons why. In that case, as a potential overseas hire, YOU might have the advantage. Today is October 12, which is still early days yet. The hiring process is very, very young. We are barely into it at my university, for example. Were today late January or early February instead, and they were urgently trying to get you on the phone for an interview, then I would say that you have something in hand; but 4.5 months ahead of that time? Do not get your hopes up, but keep at it.

[wonkavite62]

[Jordan123]

Thanks all for your responses.

I've a few reasons to be slightly doubtful about the prospects. For one, they want to interview me on a Sunday morning, Korean time. Seems odd?

For another, as was mentioned, the BA/MA mixup, which just seems like an oversight.

I will interview with them to get practice teaching lessons over skype, but I am somewhat doubtful about the prospects.

[Fallacy]

I checked, and that uni has 2 existing foreign faculty, either of whom may be contacted directly if you want to get some inside information, such as which one is leaving, and why, or if there is an expansion to attract a 3rd, etc. As for interviewing on a Sunday: welcome to Korea. Work is 24/7 here and few locals think this is odd, or outrageous, save for you, me and folks like us.

[Jordan123]

That's a great idea, to reach out to the faculty. Now let's see if my Sherlock powers can find that same info.