Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kangnamdragon]

[Juggertha]

aye at �� hogwon. ah ya never know. Gyyongi-do is getting expensive.

Ok, enough with the hi-jack.


Sorry to the OP.

[Bunnymonster]

yeah watch the old compulsary overtime/ overtime rate part I am currently 'enjoying' not having that part in my contract as I am teaching 50 classes (of 40 minutes) each week and believe me you get bored of that one fast.................................

[hellofaniceguy]

At the current exchange rate... 1.8 is around $1500.00 a month. But you're not thinking about housing expenses you will be paying, maintenance fee in some cases, electric, maybe heating oil, gas, water, phone, food, health insurance...
that 1.8 is now 1.3/1.2 and exchange that into dollars...
1.8 is no a good idea in ANY city in korea. Most of the hokwons charges the same rate throughout the country anyway. Go to Jeju and you'll hear the B.S. story from hokwon owners that "it's cheaper to live in Jeju so we pay you less!" Hokwons in Jeju charge more tuition than those in Seoul! And have just as many students if not more per school. Look at BCM in Jeju, 400 plus students according to a few friends that were working their last year, and the pay is 1.8! And teachers were teaching split shifts and 7/8/9 classes a day! Housing was officetel; the school lost no money for rent as they get the "key" money returned at the end of the contract!
I know a few teachers in Busan who live at officetels and pay 200.000 Won each month for maintenance fees! And they earn 1.8 also!
No, 1,8 is low in any city. Especially when high school graduates in korea with no college degree earn an average of 1.7 each month and also pay no rent!

[justagirl]

deleted

[justagirl]

I'm the one who said she made 1.8 a month. This is not my 3rd year at the same hakwon. I've worked at 3 different schools.

I send home over $1,000 (US) a month, I go out to eat often, I have fun, go to movies, etc. I'm not living in Seoul...I imagine if I were, I'd spend a lot more. I usually go once a month with my husband and we almost always drop over 200,000 in one go. (phone cards, books, a nice dinner, imported food to take back to Cheonan)

Also, another thought on the 1.8...my boss pays for all deductions, taxes, utilities, housing, etc, so this is my take-home pay. I also get a year bonus and pension. I also work 20 hours a week (not split shift).

OP: It really is what you're happy with. Some people on this board can't be happy with less than 2.3 million, but they may work lots of hours, not have a good work situation, or any other number of things. Or it may be the "perfect" hakwon, but they aren't hiring so it's no help to you! All these hakwons are so different from each other...

Personally, I think it sounds fine. You will be able to save plenty (more than at home by a LONG shot!). I'm also here for the teaching experience, and I've found that I like teaching so much I'm going home in November to get my degree in it.

justagirl

[matthews_world]

Aly,

You are always able to break your contract while you are here in Korea and you want to move on to another school.

Try it out for awhile. Maybe you'll do a good job. Maybe you won't like Korea.

If you want to leave at any time, just give 30 days notice and make sure you get a release letter and a job first. Save enough money for a return ticket home in worst case scenario.

[Alyallen]

Hi Everybody,

Just wanted to let you know I'm still sticking with this job. Sent a few questions the owner's way and am waiting for a response....

Keeping you updated,
AlyAllen

[Gosp]

[Alyallen]