Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dford]

Today I was sent a contract for a position in Jinju. For the past four months I have looked for jobs from here in the states and this one has most of what I want. The problem is there are split shifts. Start at 8 go til 12 than back at 4. From reading the forum non-rookies advise against taking a contract with these hours. Is it really that bad, bad enough to turn down a job?

[justagirl]

Yes. I know it doesn't sound that bad, since we're used to working 40 hours a week at home, but there is something about working overseas (specifically Korea) that really is tiring. Not only will you be putting forth effort in your work, you suddenly will be putting forth a lot of effort emotionally and psycologically just by living in this culture. And that can be much more draining that the physical side.

I think you would do fine for a few months, and then you'd start to wear thin. How many hours a day IS this for? 8-12 is already 4 hours a day.

More than 6 hours a day and you will feel the burn very quickly. I don't know if you've been to Korea before, but please don't sign a contract for more than 120 hours/month. That should be no more than 6 hours/day for 5 days/week. You'll thank yourself later! Good luck in your search!

[Saxiif]

Split shifts are satan, avoid them at all costs. For all you know you could be a fairly-long bus ride from your job and it'd be hard to go home and relax between your shifts.

[Dalton]

Well said Justagirl. Perfect even maybe.

Split shifts seem to be all over the job boards lately. Another poster is always reminding people to try and get a class hour defined in their contract and a clause that states no more than 6 classes a day. He recommends that 1 class hour=50 min + 10 min break as a maximum. Good advice IMHO.

6 hours a day could be as many as 18 twenty min classes a day. I have 12 and 13 classes a day. 20,30 and 40 min classes all mixed together. That bites. My worst behaved class is number 12 on the 13 class days. That seriously bites.

Check the schedule. Good luck.

[peppermint]

I worked split shifts for the first two years that I was here, and they can be both good and bad.

The gap give you time to get things done while most people are working- banks and things aren't open here on weekends, so if you work 9 to 5 it can be difficult to do things like wire money home. As well you won't have to deal with crowds when shopping.

It can be rough if you aren't a morning person, though, and it usually sucks finishing late on Friday nights.

Before you decide one way or the other, ask how close the school is to your home, and what time your last class ends. If they're far away, or the last class finishes late, avoid it.

[hellofaniceguy]

99% will burn out from split shifts. Many burn out with korea also. Trying to adjust burns one out also. The whole ESL scene in korea is just not that great when compared to Japan, Taiwan and even Thailand.
But...some have done well and adjusted.
Don't agree to splits. Many other jobs available. You'll come to resent korea and koreans by doing the split scene. It does it to you. Have no expectations of korea or koreans. Have NONE. Just remember that it is NOT like life in the west, quality of life issues in korea? Terrible some will say and others love it.
All is not bad and you might adapt and adjust. Just takes thick skin!
Don't agree to 120 hours. NEVER! Get the exact amount of classes per day and the exact time schedule, ie: 5 50 minute classes a day between 2pm and 8pm. 5 day work week, no weekends. No shared housing. 50/50 medical insurance split, and whatever else you can get. Get the best contract/deal that you can. Afterall....you have to live with it for a year! If you agree with it and sign...stick it out, do your best and move on to a better deal next year. Don't give the school owner a reason to complain about you.
Don't suck up either...stand your ground but...no one can use you unless you let them.

[manlyboy]

[batman]

Depends on the person. I enjoy the split shifts more than the block work. I prefer to get up at 6am for a 7am start and the students usually make it worth getting up early. Start at 7am and then teach for a few hours, grab lunch, have a nap, do errands and then hit the gym, back to work by six and finish by eight and in bed by midnight.

The best part of the split shift is having the afternoon off. While other people are trapped inside I would enjoy the priviledge of going to the beach, going for a bike ride, afternoon movie, etc.

Someone mentioned that you need to maintain your health to survive a year of splits. Wise advice but, I would add, that you should take care of yourself regardless of the job you work or the country in which you do it. Working and teaching in Korea is like anything else. The better your attitude is the more successful you will be at it.

If you don't accept the job could you pm with the details? Perhaps I will give it a go.

[kprrok]

I work split shifts, and I love it. I work from 9:30 to 1:30, 2 hours off, back from 3:30 to 6:00.

During the break I either go home and relax, go to the beach, run errands, or whatever. When I was working the night hours (3:00 - 9:00), I never did anything b/c I stayed up late and didn't wake up until 1:30 or so. It all depends on the position and the person. I agree with the above though, check it out carefully. What time would you finish at night? If you go back from 4:00 to 8:00? No way! If it's 4:00 - 6:00? Heck yeah!

KPRROK

[Gord]

[johnriley007]

doing splits should be avoided at all costs. as everyone has mentioned, it doesn't sound bad, but it can severely mess up your natural sleep cycle.

plus, if you want to study korean most universities and hagwons are open at the same time you will be teaching. and if you wanted to do privates, also there will be a lot less opportunities, because children will be in school during your break, and adults will be working.

TAKE THE ADVICE OF THE POSTERS AND AVOID THIS SCHEDULE AT ALL COSTS!!!

[SarcasmKills]

If you are here for the main purpose of saving some serious cash, split shifts are the way to go...

Early morning starts prevent you from having huge nights out every night..

Mid-day privates at private companies, churches or other schools are plentiful...

I did split shift teaching adults when I first got here and personally I didn't mind it at all.. Of course, compared to most of my other co-workers at the time I was super Mr. Morning person.. It's not for everyone..

It didn't screw up my sleeping patterns at all.. infact it made me more productive.. since I was up, I would go to the gym, do my shopping, privates, etc...

I saved more money that year that I probably make again in Korea.. I get paid more money now but I have so much free time to spend it.. not that I'm complaining about my job at all, but money doesn't stay in my bank account as much...

[Wishmaster]

Yeah, that's right, work split shifts so that they prevent you from spending your money. Real smart. Split shifts are for fools. Do you really enjoy spending so much time at a school? They were pretty much forced on me my first year in Korea and I vowed that I would never deal with them again. And I never have. If you like having no life, split shifts are the ticket.

[Son Deureo!]

Split shifts are often the price you pay for teachinga adults, because there are precious few jobs teaching adults that don't have them.

Is it worth it to avoid ddong-chims, word searches and bingo? There's only one way to find out.

[batman]