Korean Job Discussion Forums

chaz47 · Joined: 11 Sep 2003

most lucrative jobs for a 2nd year?

i have been enjoying this first year so far and want to make a leap to a better paid position... any advice...?

jinks · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Location: Formerly: Lower North Island

Sometimes you can get more money just by staying put. My academy offered me a 10% pay rise to re-sign, plus a few other incentives. I think I could have negotiated the raise to 15%, but in the end it was vacations I wanted, not just money so I have bailed to a university. Less money, but more holidays. You could think about asking your director if there is any 'advantage' for you to stay. Or are you looking for oodles of extra dollars and not just a few percentage points?

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

A year of experience isn't really a blow 'em away qualification. If your current school is decent and you have no over riding complaints (they pay you on time, the pay is standard, the apartment is decent), then you're in a bird in the hand situation. You might find better. You might find worse.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

If it's about money then safe privates are the way to go. For a second year you're perhaps looking at a .1 to .2 increase by switching schools, and you're much better off staying at a job you like than making 5-10% more money.

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:40 pm Post subject:

Anyone who plans to stick around and make a lot of money eventually goes for the lowest amount of hours on their next E-2 job, and fills the extra time with PT or private work. Illegal, yes-- unless you get the OK from your school and immigration to do it (I do this with camps, etc).

Many people opt to be totally illegal, work 2 or 3 PT jobs on a tourist visa, and thumb their nose at the ever-increasing list of immigration rules.

chaz47 · Joined: 11 Sep 2003

I wouldn't mind staying on in my present job. The problem is that they have never renewed a contract for a foreign teacher. I work at the Busan English Channel office, and aside from the split-shift I sincerely love my job and my coworkers.

My Korean coteachers are telling me that the manager has never renewed a native-speaker's contract, it sounds possible to transfer to another branch in Seoul but I would rather stay in Busan.

They also have a booking rate policy that has sucked me down to 1.5 million won during the holidays... not cool.

I also only get 10 days vacation, which are sick days... is this standard ?

(i apologize for the excessive meandering in this one...)

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

Go next door to Pagoda, if they're hiring. Not a perfect place, but not the worst either. I'm not talking about Direct English as they have the same no-show policy there. I believe that the owner of English Channel used to be the director/owner? at Direct English, although I may be wrong. Pagoda's not heaven, but if you're okay with the splits and the constant evaluations and questionable contract clauses, you might be okay there and make a bit more money. Pagoda gives you a one-month vacation, but you are paid *beep* during that month(I think 40 hours' worth, half of which is reimbursed after you finish your contract).

skconqueror · Joined: 31 Jul 2005

In the right situation you can make over 3.2 working at a public school. Though you are contracted there 9-5.

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

Faron · Joined: 13 Jan 2006

skconqueror · Joined: 31 Jul 2005

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

A lot of teachers that work at public schools, only work 22 classes per week and have tonnes of free time. The schools have afterschool programs that run in the afternoon as an alternative to hagwons and the teachers get 100% of the money from that. The guy at the school next to mine is making 3.8 million a month working 9-5.

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

Depends on what you think are acceptable conditions but 2 year colleges aren't a bad way to go. The students tend to be lower level, which can be frustrating, but after a year or two at a 2 year college you're more than qualified to teach at a university here. Colleges usually have 20 or less hours/week and better vacation than a hogwon. In my opinion they're not a bad choice for someone with 1 years hogwan experience.

plato's republic · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Ancient Greece

Where can one find out about two-year colleges?

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:09 pm Post subject:

You just have to watch the job ads on various boards. Or find addresses of colleges and just apply.