Korean Job Discussion Forums

babtangee · Last edited by babtangee on Wed Jan 19, 2005 1:41 am; edited 1 time in total

The most amusing part of my contract: "Sexual harassment at work is strictly prohibited in accordance with recent Korean law." - I should have come 5 years ago, damn it.

A K-friend lined me up for this job. He said the best I could do in Incheon was 1.7m won because they all want North Americans. I said, well I'll go elsewhere 'cause I been getting bites for 1.9 and 2m won.

He said he'll try to push the wage up. He called back saying the director will give me 1.9, and told me that the apartment was 18 pyeong. This seemed better than alright, so I said "okay".

Then they emailed me the contract with wage 1.7m. I emailed it back, writing 'increase the wage a little and I'll sign.'

Then I realised there is no assurance that I will get an 18 pyeong apartment in the contract. It reads "one-bedroom apartment rent-free". They'll also give me a mobile phone, TV, VCR etc...

Should I doubt this apartment situation - I mean, is there a clear distinction between a one bed-room apartment and a studio apartment?

It also reads that I only get 8 days holiday (plus national holidays).

Anyway, my friend rang me and really encouraged me to take the job. I said "tell him to give me 1.9 and I will".

So the director called my K-wife (whom is presently in Korea whilst I am not) the same day and told her I had accepted the position. I thought "What the...huh?". I figure he was trying to pull the old 'ajjoshi pressure the young K-girl' routine, so my wife would say to me 'oh, you have to take the job, you said you would.' Fortunately my wife ain't nearly that sweet and stupid. She told me he sounds like the old, obstinate Korean whom is 'always' right and knows everything. Great, I said. No wonder my K-friend buckled. Whimp.

Now my friend's saying they'll give me 1.8. I figure with the 18p apartment, that ain't so bad. But I'm thinking I need a lot more than the guy's word...?

The contract also says I have to pay the airfare, and they will reimburse me at the end of the contract. That ain't cool.

Furthermore, the contract stipulates I have to take a medical (I guess I looked pale in my photo - ho ho ho). I wouldn't mind, but it says I have to pay for it (in Korea, after starting work). Yeah, right, so if I find out I have some rare degenerative liver disease they send me packing and I've payed all the airfare.

I don't consider this totally unreasonable, but the sum total is hardly conducive to an atmosphere of trust.

All kindy and elementary, too. I checked out their website: it made me nauseous. I don't mind little tikes, but they have their own 'super duper' curriculum filled with stories and songs that I fear will hardly be well designed in regards to language comprehension; and I just bet I'll be given no room to vary the curriculum. I got a good TESOL cert. that trained us to keep the kids occupied 100% of the time whilst learning the target language. But they're gonna have me reading stories the kids don't understand, and then blame me when they are bored and disruptive. What do they want someone with a TESOL for if they won't let you use it?

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Little Fox sounds like a big fox.

I'm not impressed by what you said about them.

fandeath · Joined: 01 Nov 2004

Your story seems like a story from 1999. I'd like to think most schools are better than that these days.

From what I read, your school is not too good. Is your 'friend' getting a headhunter fee? Why does he push this school?

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

The awareness, in your face (the contract) about sexual harrassment of students by teachers, and the medical exam requirement(looking for drug use) indicate the management is suspicious of foreigners. The school has had problems with previous foreign teachers. Or it just 'likes to think so'. Giving them a free card to underestimate you, and your services, from the start (offering too little pay).
It's pretty important to get good managers.

babtangee · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 1:39 am Post subject:

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

..and the key opens the door and..DOH, it's a 10 pyunger. Sorry, sounds shady to me

babtangee · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:39 am Post subject:

Zenpickle · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Location: Anyang -- Bisan

So that makes you a cunning linguist director.

Couldn't resist that thread title. Embarassed

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

A warning:

Checked out one hagwon job once a few years back. They offered a "huge 2-bedroom apartment" as part of the job. I got there and looked around. It was a roach-infested craphole with rooms not much bigger than phone booths.

babtangee · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:09 pm Post subject:

enchoo · Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 7:15 am Post subject: Very suspicious

1.8 is way too low compared to the market. When management continually fudges number like that, it ain't worth it.

Keep fishing!!!

Public school stunts should open up shortly.

Who is this friend of yours anyways...........a recruiter????

endofthewor1d · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Location: the end of the wor1d.

the whole thing sounds dodgy to me. how long has this guy been your friend? i don't trust him. you're at a big advantage having a wife over there already who could check things out for you. i think you'd be better off letting her be your go-between.
you can do better than 1.8 and 1.9.

babtangee · Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 1:54 am Post subject:

My friend has been that for about 4 years. He's no recruiter, in fact I'd consider him the opposite - a very naive fellow. Fortunately I'm not depending on him; he's just eager to help me get a job in Incheon but has been swayed by cunning directors telling him non NA teachers have to accept less money.

I'm willing to settle for less than 2m, if the apartment is large. But do people really think I can expect to get 2m in Incheon? I have no experience, other than privately tutoring Korean university students in Australia (I have references from them). Seeing as 2m seems the norm, I thought I might have to settle for less if I ain't living in the sticks. No?