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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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liehtzu
Joined: 24 Mar 2003
Location: the sticks, Korea
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 Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:52 pm Post subject: Yeosu... work... bad? |
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Hi folks. I'm considering a job in Yeosu where I'd be (gasp!) the only foreign teacher - ever - at a place called Sam's English Language School. The salary is swell (2.2 mil) but they want me to teach TOEFL classes, which is a lot more extra work than kiddies. Still, I'm considering it... maybe...
But you read some odd things about Yeosu on Dave's. For instance:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=39637&highlight=yeosu
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| It is a cute place to visit, honestly very beautiful. Don't work there, it is a really hideous place. It's trouble with a capital T. |
Why is Yeosu specifically such a bad place to work? Just bad mojo floating around the place or what? Any info is appreciated.
Sigh. Looking for jobs is a pain.
Cheers. |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: Yeosu... work... bad? |
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| liehtzu wrote: |
| ...I'd be (gasp!) the only foreign teacher - ever - at a place called Sam's English Language School. |
that could be very good or very bad. be prepared to adapt to korean customs regarding lack of info until the last minute, expectations to go to dinner (at least they'll be paying), and other such stuff. they have no history of being accommodating to the needs and wants of foreigners, so they will be reacting based on their prejudices and will be quick to judge whether you are a good foreigner or bad foreigner (yes, they do have a distinction).
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| The salary is swell (2.2 mil) |
very good for a FIRST ever contract.
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| but they want me to teach TOEFL classes, which is a lot more extra work than kiddies. |
I totally disagree. TOEFL and TOEIC classes are EASIER than kiddies if you haven't done any teaching before (assuming they provide the books - they are straightforward).
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| But you read some odd things about Yeosu on Dave's. |
Those who are in love with Seoul see Yeosu as the worst possible location (farthest from there, on the mainland anyhow).
But Yeosu is a couple of hours from Gwangju or Changwon, and you could be in Busan by noon on saturdays (cheap!!! regular bus service). I myself used to live in Toronto and commute once a week for three days to Windsor (three hours away by Greyhound bus on the highway), and let me tell you.... the intercity express buses in Korea are more comfortable, cheaper and more frequent than Greyhound in Canada. (Just in case you are worried about being in booneyville).
Yeosu is on the beautiful south coast, much warmer, much nicer water, great beaches up and down the southern coast (I'm on an island off the easternmost coast, and have visited Yeosu a few times, easy by bus).
Recommendation: INSIST on a six-month contract under the same terms, with a one million bonus (half-month's pay) and half airfare (one way, you pay the other half). Tell them you WOULD LIKE to stay there for ONE YEAR, but you can only COMMIT to six months. Then they will be on their best behaviour during the first six months because they want you to decide to re-sign for another six months.
Six month contracts are possible, and it's in your best interests to get one.
After a few months of adjusting to the job, getting to know the city and region, travelling a bit on weekends and becoming familiar with everything.... THEN you can decide.
Believe me, the first three or four months in Korea can easily be spent in any community... one is so focussed on teaching and adjusting to the local ways of life.
Good luck whatever. |
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peppermint
Joined: 13 May 2003
Location: traversing the minefields of caddishness.
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| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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| A friend has lived there for a couple of years now, and he moans once in a while about the difficulty of getting western food, but seems to like it there all the same. |
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