Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rookies]

Should I sign this contract???



I _________________, wish to be employed by and agree to
Adhere to the following.

1. Scheduling
Kindergarten classes are 40 minutes in length beginning at 9:55am and ending at 1:30pm. Elementary classes are 50 minutes in length beginning at 2:10pm and ending at 8:00pm. There will be no classes on weekends and national holidays.
Both 40 minute and 50 minute classes fulfill 1 contractual hour.

2. Working Hours options
Total 33 classes per week: 2.2 million won (Fully furnished housing)

3. Overtime: Overtime is based on weekly working hours. For any additional hours worked, instructors will receive 20,000 won per class. However, work related to improving teaching methods such as teachers� seminars, lesson preparation time and teachers� meeting will not constitute overtime hours. You could be asked to work 2 hours overtime per week. Anytime additional hours are voluntary.

4. 3~4% Korean income tax will be deducted from your salary each month.

5. Instructors are required to teach the classes assigned to them using the schools prescribed outline and curriculum.

6. The instructor�s salary will begin on his/her first day of teaching. This date will also mark the beginning of the one year agreement.

7. Instructors who fulfill their one-year contract in accordance with school policy will receive a severence pay bonus equal to their monthly salary.

8. The instructor will be paid 1,400,000 won for the cost of their round trip airfare. The instructor will be reimbursed 700,000 won within the first week of his/her arrival. The return portion of the airfare, 700,000 won, will be paid upon completion of his/her contract.

9. Paydays will be held on the 10th day of every month. If this day falls on a Korean holiday or weekend, the instructor will be paid on the next business day.

10. A fully furnished apartment will be provided for the instructor. Utilities and maintenance fees are the instructors responsibility.

11. If the instructor desires medical or life insurance, he/she must only pay 50% coverage; JEL will pay the additional 50%.

12. There are 3 weeks of vacation through a year. (Actual days are 15working days except weekend) It will be 7 ~ 9 days of school vacation and 6~8 days of personal vacation including sick days. If you don�t use personal vacation, 150,000won per one day will be paid. But if you use additional personal vacation exceeding, 150.000won will be deducted from your salary or your contract can be canceled. If you take the half day off because of sickness, it will be considered as a full sick day. You need to use these during one or two periods.

13.Teachers do have these duties:
a) One hour of lesson preparation per teaching day at school(When you don�t have Kindergarten classes, you should come to school at 1:10p.m for lesson preparation)
b) Prepare a big test and student report cards once every two months
c) Report to the director regarding any problem students
d) Speak slowly, clearly and loudly
e) Always be nice to your students

13. Any questions, concerns, or comments should be directed to the director of this institution before signing this form below.

14. This contract will start on __________________ (Date/Month/Year)
And will be completed on __________________ (Date/Month/Year)

[sadsac]

No, the hours are excessive. Having to do kindergarten in the morning and then regular classes in the afternoon is a hard slog. You would wind up doing 50 hours per week. Kindergarten takes a lot of prep. Also the airfare, they should be paying that up front, not partial re-imbursment at the beginning and end of your contract. I would want the daily hours clearly stated. Best of luck.

[Blind Willie]

Contracts are there for the boss to show immigration, and in no way reflect the job you'll be having, nor will it be reflecting how well your boss will be following the terms set out between you.

IE: They tend to be toilet paper.

Forty minute Kindy classes?! Are they sadists?

[Zenpickle]

[chronicpride]

The 2-8 schedule is what most teachers work for 1.9-2.2. But you've got that kindy schedule, too. Salary aside, I'd be dog tired working those shifts. I worked at a kindy/elementary gig, which was 10-6 and was too tired to go out and socialize throughout the week. 3 hours of kindy will tire you. Then you have a 5-6 hour elementary stretch after that? I don't know. It depends on what you want the work for. If you want to hunker down for a year, save money, and not do much else except for socializing and travel on weekends and holidays, well, ok.

But if you want to do stuff throughout the week like workout, take korean language classes, bike riding, site-see for a couple hours a day before class, do shopping, taekwondo, or go out to the bars or clubs with some energy left, then you should take a pass and take a 2-8 or 3-9 gig elsewhere, even for less money.

My first year here, I signed for 1.8, working 4-8, 4-9pm shifts and I saw so much of Daegu and the surrounding area in the AM and afternoons, plus privates, plus working out and then going out with guys after work. If you're not just coming for the dough, look for a good schedule first, before looking at the salary. A gig that is 100,000Won($86US) less per month, might prove to be a significant improvement in schedule or other areas that matter most, once you get 3-4 months into your contract.

[hellofaniceguy]

#9 No. Change it to "if payday falls on a weekend or holiday, teacher (s) to be paid the day before the holiday or weekend."
Why should you have to wait for your pay?!?! The owner is not waiting for his/hers.
#8. No. Airfare could be more than the amount they are stating will be paid. You want to get the exact airfare.
#10. Problem. Maintenance fees could run 160.000 Won a month!! You need to find out BEFORE moving in.
Hours are excessive. But then again...hakwons are not for education, they are a business. If you care about quality education or if the school cares, you would not be teaching that many classes or hours. Contracts are negotiable...get the best deal you can for yourself. It should be fair to both sides. Not one sided. Trouble is...if you don't sign it...another....... will.

[trevorcollins]

[No L]

Ask for more info about hours and classes. What is the exact schedule? 33 classes a week is pretty reasonable but the time frame isn't. If you work kindy and have to be in an hour for prep, you start at 9:00 and finish at 8:00? That's just insane. If you work kindy, you should be off much earlier. No kindy, finish at 8:00.

Also, there shouldn't be a cap on airfare. Plane tickets from most countries will be more than 1 400 000.

[Blind Willie]

[Saxiif]

[Grotto]

split shifts....they suck! They give times but how many classes a day are you teaching?

Get clarification on meetings, how many how long? Seminars? Prep time unpaid? okay dont expect any prep!

Airfare? thats a little cheap for flights. If they arent willing to pay for the ticket up front thats a little fishy. If they can book you a round trip flight for 1.4 mil won thats okay if not

Minor point....if payday falls on a holiday you should get paid on the preceding day! Not the following business day!

The sick day clause is not acceptable! If they want to pay out at 150k thats fine but to deduct any extra days missed should be based on the month....2.2/workdays in the month


you want me there an hour early every day for prep....unpaid Get Bent

[mindmetoo]

[Dalton]

This clause concerns me. Parts c & e in particular:

13.Teachers do have these duties:
a) One hour of lesson preparation per teaching day at school(When you don�Ԥ��ͤ� have Kindergarten classes, you should come to school at 1:10p.m for lesson preparation)
b) Prepare a big test and student report cards once every two months
c) Report to the director regarding any problem students
d) Speak slowly, clearly and loudly
e) Always be nice to your students

Because it's possible that the students are in charge of the classroom and that could make your year very, very stressful. Been there. You can't fulfill your teaching duties if you are not in charge of the classroom. The impact of a Korean coming into your class to yell at the kids will last about 10 minutes if you're lucky.

In the worst case scenario your lesson plans or teaching style could be ruled against without warning or appeal if the students (via their moms) complain about either.

Think about it this way- all the students are spoiled by the school and you will have to comply with this and/or become a victim to it. I wouldn't sign a contract with this clause because of my experience. You might want to clarify what it means. Are your efforts and work environment secondary to spoiling the little darlings without regard to any consequences? Are you always wrong and the children always right? That's what those two little rules meant at a school I worked for.

That aside I wouldn't sign simply because the school isn't buying the ticket(s) outright.

[trevorcollins]