Korean Job Discussion Forums

[marista99]

Let's say you have been talking in depth to one of the foreign teachers at a school (several e-mails and more than an hour total on the phone). She tells you that the school is great, the owners are really nice and helpful, and in general that the working conditions are excellent. She has signed on for a second year already, as has another foreign teacher at the school.

However, the contract for this school is a bit on the shady side. It's not awful, but there are some things in it that, if the school was run by someone mean, could be used against you, although the teacher assures me that they have always been very reasonable with the english teachers there.

Do you take the contract and take the teacher's word for it? Or say even though she says awesome things about it that you can't accept the rather vague contract?

I ask because while I understand the importance of a contract, I also understand that Korean schools often don't follow the contract to the letter anyway, and I have heard that a foreign teacher's opinion/endorsement is extremely telling and important.

[Grotto]

If there are sections of a contract that bother you, state it upfront.

One mans heaven is another mans hell.

How one teacher is treated does not mean all teachers will be treated the same.

I would change the sections of the contract that bothered me and tell them that this is the contract I would be willing to sign.

I have changed several items in contracts and both times I dont believe they even bothered to read them when I sent them back. But halfway through the year when they tell me they want this that or the other thing I point out its not in my contract and they back down.

[crazylemongirl]

in my experience contracts tend to be viewed very loosely here. It can work in your favor if your in a great school. But in a bad school it makes matters worse.

The key thing is that you build up a good relationship with your boss.

[waterbaby]

If things are different (better) at the school compared to the contract, why can't they update the contract to reflect this?

I think you should talk to the other teacher at the school who has also signed on for another year.

[dodgybarnet]

[Son Deureo!]

Grotto's right, if there are clauses in the contract you aren't comfortable with, try to get them changed before you show up. Send a revised draft along with a polite note explaining what changes you made and why, as well as the fact that it's what you're willing to sign.

While nothing beats a good relationship with the boss, and a good contract with a bad boss is as useless as boobs on a bull, it's better than nothing. And let there be no mistake, the bad clauses in contract that's been signed by you with a bad boss will be held over your head any time there's a dispute.

[just because]

I agree with all sentiments on here.

I have known foreign teachers to say glorious things about their hagwon when it was an outright crappy place and other people say shocking things about their hagwon when it was a great place to work.

It had a lot to do with he manipulations and relationships with the director.

Just try to get more than one opinion as that person could be the hagwon lap dog or he may fear he may lose his bonus if he doesn't convince you to come(which does happen often).

If they say only one, then I would be suspicious as if there is only one person working there they should have previous workers emails as well.

Its all a bit of a lottery isn't it .

You can get much better odds if you come over here yourself and look. The financial costs might be high at the start but if you find a good school (which is a lot more likely) you should be able to get a lot of your money back.

Remember long-term pleasure for short-term sacrifice. That is some golden advice

[chronicpride]

[Son Deureo!]

[Wishmaster]

Don't you know that foreigners don't matter here? Everything is against you...tons of roadblocks in this place. The way to survive? Just accept certain things(as long as you can live with them) and know that Korea will eventually end and you'll live elsewhere. Having a "nothing to lose" attitude is the key to living here.

[own_king]

The thing about talking to other foreign teachers at the school is that the school is only going to give you the email addresses of people who they know are happy and remember these teachers also have on-site pressure to say good things. I always ask for the email addresses of one current teacher and one recently finished teacher so that pressure is not a factor. It can never hurt to have a few different perspectives.