Korean Job Discussion Forums

Shutterfly · Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Location: Seoul

Is there a maximum of hours (set by a law, if there is one) that a teacher can work monthly? And where can I find it on paper or the internet to show to my employer?

NearlyKorean · Joined: 15 Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ

The kind folks at EFL Law might have some information about...
Check them out http://www.efl-law.com/korea_home.html

All the Best,

NK

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

its 44 hours a week. Thats by the Korean labour laws.

44 hours is maximum barring an emergency situation.

Shutterfly · Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Location: Seoul

I work 49 hours a week, no fail.
I like my boss, and I like my school, Do you know where this can be found on paper?

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Shutterfly wrote,
"maximum of hours (set by a law, if there is one) that a teacher"

What are the maximum teaching hours in a hagwon, public school, college and university?

Has not the Ministry of Education established maximum hours (limits) for university undergraduate teaching? Do you know there is also a rule for assigning the maximum number of graduate teaching hours?

How does your ignorance of rules, regulations, and laws favor the empoyers? Would an employer take advantage of your ignorance?

babtangee · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 7:02 pm Post subject:

I love Real Reality's answers to posts: they leave you with a myriad of further doubts and questions.

Shutterfly · Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Location: Seoul

I was just thinking that myself...

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Thinking is good.

Perhaps, I like questions more than answers.

Shutterfly · Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Location: Seoul

Okay, the Labor law states that the maximum hours are infact 44 a week. HOwever that is excluding recess hours. But, the labour law does not specify what exactly is considered "recess hours." Is ayour lunch hour consedered a recess hour what about the time in between classes? This is my following schedual.

I start at 10 am, but i have to be at the school for 9:20, i have to use this time to open the school, turn on heater, set up the classrooms, doa a quick prep, greet the students and help them with coats and bags etc.
class 10-10:40, then i have 20 mins, then next class. That 20 mins is the only 20 mins i have to clean up fromthe previous class and do prep time for my next class. Then i have lunch (1 hr) This hour entails, helping the kids wash thir hands, get their dishes, and in line, then i have to help serve lunch with my k-teacher, then eat with the kids. I then use the remaining 20 minutes to prep for my class, then i have next class 1-1:40. Until 2pm i help with coats again, i have to do english phone calls to my students at home and help get things ready for elementary int he afternoon. I then have a break from 2-2:30 however THis is the ONLY time i have until 7pm for prep time for the remainging 8 classes.

What i want to know is, is my "prep time" considered recess, even if i am still doing work for the school? is that is the case, i dont exceed 44 hours a week even if i am working for 49. Confused

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Only your time in the classroom is counted. 44 hours? hahaha...most Koreans I know work at least 50 hours.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

the sad truth is that your Korean hogwan slavedriver will keep you at the school as long as they can.

Big question is what does your contract say? How many hours did you agree to?

Most contracts agree to about 30 hours a week. that should be 30 50 minute classes a week.

break time doesnt count neither does lunch time. Some places do count it towards your hours others are cheap buggers who squeeze ya til you pop!

Shutterfly · Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Location: Seoul

my contract says 930 -630 tues and thurs, ans 930-730 mon wed fri

prosodic · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: ��

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

It does not really matter what the labor law says...for one thing....who/what hakwon follows it....for another...why sign a contract that wants you to teach many hours a month?!?!?!?!
I realize that I am lucky as are other university teachers...averaging 60 hours a month...but even if I were to teach in a hakwon....one would not hire me because I would never agree to teach over 100 hours PER MONTH. I'll go with 4/5 50 minute classes a day, but that's it.
So...why are hakwon teachers agreeing to 120 hours and more of teaching?
Why? Because that's what the owner wants?!? Do it or no job?
Schools NEED YOU...not the other way around. No way can ANYONE teach 6 50 minute classes day in and day out and DO A GOOD job!
Can't be done...you burn out. Seems to me that hakwon teachers need to band together and quit signing contracts offering slave wages and hours.
I see it everyday in my friends who are at hakwons....burnt out. And for what? Gesh...more to life than slaving in a hakwon! Get a great deal for yourself by getting a fair contract for both parties. And then live with it until your parole.