Korean Job Discussion Forums

[textin]

Any info ont his one...
"needs teacher immediately!"
Sounds suspicious enough.

[chronicpride]

Don't know much about them. Kid's Herald is a big chain. One of the biggest. Some good, some bad. But as all chains go, the specific director of the school will make or break the individual school's rep.

'Need a teacher ASAP' might mean a teacher ran, or the expected incoming teacher took another gig or cancelled at the last minute, or a teacher had to go home for an emergency. It could be anything. Legit things do happen, more often than not.

Nevertheless, you are wise for exercising caution and checking here. Your first 2 questions should be, 'why do you need a teacher ASAP? What happened to the teacher that I'm replacing?'

Then ask for the contact info for that past teacher, plus any current teachers working there.

If they waffle on those requests, take a pass.

PS., please post your findings on here to help other job-researchers.

[shawner88]

The one I applied to wanted me to teach 8 classes a day every day and offered basic salary. The owner was a real goober too. I said "no!" and then he started to beg me and at that point I just had to hang up on him.

[Dalton]

Koreans often wait until the last minute to do things. Ask about the schedule.

[Homer]

Why does "teacher needed immediatly" sound "suspicious"?

For pete's sake...it is a job opening they need to fill asap...how should the phrase it?

I agree with Dalron, check the schedule.

Also why not wait and check the actual contract before passing judgement on the job?

This chain is pretty big so there are bound to be good schools and bad schools. Just do your research.

[Dalton]

Kid's Herald has a mixed reputation. Some blacklistings and legitimate complaints here and some happy teachers. How much do you like kids? I think it's also a mattter of asking what they expect of you as a teacher. Singing and dancing for KG? Teaching? Babysitting beteen classes and at lunch time? What do you want to do? Don't forget the schedule.

[textin]

Taking it.

All conditions met.

Now just have to pick up remaining pay from old job and bail plus get over all visa obsticles and I'm home (in a new studio in Seoul).
Then can look back at the contractual issues, old school still owe me for this month and security deposit. bet they will keep it.
Could go Labour Board - not sure.
But told I will be paid tomorrow so fingers crossed.

[Dalton]

Congratulations. Hope you get paid tomorrow and good luck for the next year.

I just negotiated away some things I didn't like with my school and re-signed with them. So same to me .

[silverstripe]

textin, I'm thinking of taking a position at the Herald school in Incheon - sounds very similar conditions. 8 classes per day etc. Any advice/help? I've got the contract and it seems ok, but I've never done this before. newbie.

What kind of things did you negotiate?

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheeers,
rebecka.

[chronicpride]

rebekka, to help you out better, can you post details about the job? Hours, salary, schedule...also, it would help garner a thorough review if you copy/paste the contract (omitting the schools contact details, of course), and we can give you some pointers.

[marista99]

I wouldn't teach 8 classes a day unless I got overtime for it. I teach 6 a day and it seems like a lot.

[silverstripe]

Hi there, thanks for all the help that you have provided. I don't know how to post a link to document, so fogive this long posting, but any advice or help would be MUCHO appreciated. My concerns are that 8 classes does seem like a heck of a lot and no overtime for this. Also, is the damage deposit on the utilities (200,000 won per month for the first three months) normal? Well anyway, here it is:


This Employment Agreement has been made this day 2004 between the following two parties: the teacher (hereafter referred to as the ��Employee��) _ and Kids Herald School (hereafter referred to as the ��Employer��). The Employee is hired by the Employer and both parties agree to carry out the terms and conditions of employment as set forth herein.

1. Period of Employment
A. This agreement is valid for one year, starting from the date of work in Korea and finishing on the last teaching day of the teacher��s twelfth teaching session.
B. The term of this agreement includes preparatory period, twelve (12) full and consecutive teaching session, and all scheduled vacations and holiday that fall between or during teaching sessions.
2. Job Description: The teacher will work in the institute and perform such duties as given him by the Academic Supervisor, including teaching and preparation. The teacher��s work shall consist primarily of the following.
A. Employee as an English teacher will teach and guide the students in conversational English with any and all phases of the institute��s program. Employee will be provided with the necessary material to conduct such exercises.
B. The work of teacher involves development of educational program and materials, curriculum design, and implementation.
C. Attendance at teachers�� meetings and workshops.
D. Out of classroom activities for / with students.
E. Grading and evaluation of students.
F. Student counseling or evaluation.
G. Other related activities.
H. Call teaching.
3. Duties of Teacher
A. During the term of this contract the teacher shall work together and act in accordance with the instructions, training and supervision of the Academic Supervisor and shall carry out such assignments as directed by the Academic Supervisor. In order to provide students with effective education, program evaluation, staff meetings, workshops are required, and the teacher should attend these meetings as assigned in advance by the Academic Supervisor. In a certain case, the Academic Supervisor shall tell and ask the teacher in a proper manner to do some duties regarding the teaching of students and the reputation of the institute.
B. The teacher is expected to conduct the assigned class without assistance, and thus lesson preparation for the class is required prior to the classes. As to the case that the teacher goes to the class without proper lesson preparation, the Academic Supervisor shall also assign the teacher some duties such as lesson preparation time for two hours prior to the classes.
C. If the teacher is unable to attend the class, an advanced notice, should be given to the Academic Supervisor. In case of illness, there are three paid sick days. After that, the employer may deduct a day��s pay for every day the employee is absent from work. The employee must notify the employer at least five hours before class time of illness. In this case, the employee should show a doctor��s consultation indicating illness.
D. Attendance at staff meetings or every official event or workshops cannot be considered as overtime.
4. Working Hours
A. The number of regular teaching hours will be 120 hours per month on the basis of 60 minutes an hour.
B. The workload is equal to 180 teaching periods per month (one teaching period is equal to 40 minute).
C. Additional overtime will be paid, at a rate of 20,000 won per hour, for any more than 120 hours per month.
5. Salary
A. Monthly salary shall be 2.0 million won (plus any overtime), paid for 120 teaching hours per month. Each teaching hours in excess of 120 working hours is considered as overtime. The salary will be paid on the tenth (10th) day of the following month. Korean income and resident taxes will be withheld. Income tax rate on monthly salary is about 3.5%.
B. Bonus/Severance payment: If the employee fully performed his or her contract, the salary of one month will be paid for the completion of one year contract. This amount is also subject to Korean income and resident taxes (3.5%).
6. Housing
The Employer agrees to provide furnished accommodations for the Employee, close to the institute. The Employee is not responsible for the payment of the rent. However, Employee is responsible for his/her share of utilities. Housing will be provided in one of the following manners:
An apartment with two rooms (furnished) shared.

For the first three months, the Employer will deposit 200,000 won per month from the salary of the teacher for utilities and phone charges even though the teacher pays these charges every month. This deposit will be refunded when the teacher leaves after the completion of this contract.
7. Medical Insurance
The Employer agrees to provide medical insurance for the Employee, under the Korean Medical Insurance Union through group membership. The Employer further agree to pay fifty (50) percent, and the Employee portion of the monthly premium is made through deduction from salary over a period of the first three months. Dental and pre-existing is not included.
8. Holiday and Vacation
A. Holidays: there are 13 – 15 Korean holidays per year. The Employee is not required to work on these days.
B. Vacation: the Employee is permitted 10 days of paid leave per year. The Employee agrees to give at least 14 days notice in advance. Paid leave can be taken no more than two days at one time unless prior arrangements are made with the Employer.
C. Unpaid Leave: unpaid leave is permitted only under extreme and unusual circumstance. Extreme and unusual circumstance includes, but not limited to, death or serious illness of self or immediate family member. Upon presentation of proper notice and proof to the Employer, the Employee may be granted up seven days of unpaid leave.
D. Sick day: see 3. C
9. Release from contract
Both parties have the right to make the contract null and void under one of the following circumstances;
A. The health of the employee is such that it is deemed impossible for the employee to Continue work , or
B. Blatant misconduct by employee either professionally or otherwise , or
C. The Employee or dependents violates Korean law , or
D. The case of neglecting the teacher��s duties under this contract including, but not limited to, frequent absences from the place of employment, without any approval of the Academic supervisor, or
E. The conduct of seriously jeopardizing any student or staff person, or the reputation of the institute.
Prior to any such dismissal, the teacher will be warned of the dissatisfaction of the employer and will be afforded at least fifteen working days in which to remedy the misconduct pointed out by the employer. In spite of warn, if the teacher shows no possibility of correcting misconduct, dismissal will be performed. In any cases of dismissal or voluntary resignation, the employer will not pay a return ticket or any benefit such as severance payment. In addition, if the teacher is dismissed due to criminal or serious behavior before six months of the contract, he/she should payback the airfare paid by the institute or the institute may deduce the amount of airfare from the teachers�� last payment
F. The teacher will not be allowed to teach private lessons outside of the place of employment without permission of the employer. Such action becomes one of reasons for immediate dismissal. In this case the employer has no duty to pay the teacher return ticket and severance payment.
G. Should the Employee wish to terminate the contract, a minimum of one and half month notice is required, and the acceptance of such a termination of contract is strictly up to the discretion of the institute.
10. Legal Action
If there is a dispute between the parties involved in the contract, parties agree to the final judgment of a Korean civil court, Korean civil law, whatever the final decision my be. If at anytime the Employee leaves Institution without giving prior notice and without going through the appropriate procedures, the Employer has the right to pursue legal actions, for damages and attorney fees, against the Employee. If the Employee has left Korea, the Employer has the right to pursue legal actions outside of Korea.

11. Air Ticket.
Economy class air ticket from the nearest international airport to the employee to Korea will be provided to the employee before he/she leaves his/her country. A returning air ticket will be provided to the Employee��s country upon completing of the full contract period. Regardless of the point of departure, the return ticket will be provided to the nearest international airport to the Employee��s home, and not to the point of departure, should they differ.
In the event that the Employee continues employment under a subsequent employment agreement with the Employer, the return air ticket will be provided at the time of completion of the subsequent contract period(s).

When the Employee resigns within 6 months from his/her arrival in Korea because of the Employee��s faults, the Employee shall reimburse the Employer the airfare paid.
When the Employee resigns after 6 months from the Employee��s arrival in Korea and not completed 1 year contract, the Employer shall not give the Employee a returning ticket to his/ her home country.

[chronicpride]