Korean Job Discussion Forums

anti_suttee · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Location: flat_land

I am in a pickle now. I have been offered a job from two different places: one from a public school and the other from a hagwon.

The public school offers no severance pay because the contract period lasts only 10 months just short of two months, which will complete 12 months and verify the severance pay according to the Korean Law (the teacher I talked with explained). Apart from no severance pay, the school does not provide air tickets, but only equivalent to $900 upon completion of the contract (10 months). The monthly salary is about $100 less than what the other private institute has to offer.

Hagwon I got in touch with is located in a very rural area, which I prefer anyway. And the director is expected to offer me the housing, air fare, severance pay after 12 mons contract period.

The only thing I can assure myself about the public school position is: it's authorized by the Board of Education in Korea. I don't need worry about not being paid by the school, which I hear occurs sometimes unfortunately.

Do people wish to find a public school position? Why is that? What's the merit if the benefit is not that great?

I need decide within 24 hours to give a finite answer to each potential employer. Dunno what to do...hmmm.

Give me some insight, pls?

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

The public school may have less teaching hours and is run by more impartial people. You may feel you have some breathing space during your day.

The private institute will be face paced. You will feel you work hard, but financially you will likely be better off. There will be no real difference in your feelings working 2 months more. But you will receive 3000 dollars more plus the extra two months salary so 7000 dollars more for the year than the public school.

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

BTW: a ten month contract seems to be ripping you off a bit. The usual is 12 months.

anti_suttee · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Location: flat_land

submitted in error. Sad

dunno how to delete this posting; so i'm just putting a lame excuse here.

anti_suttee · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Location: flat_land

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

Yea, there's also something strange with that public school job if it's only 10 months and it's starting now. It might be some kind of after school program or something like that.

anti_suttee · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Location: flat_land

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

Don't you still get severance after 6 mo. , if you complete your contract???????

DD

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

anti_suttee · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Location: flat_land

The advantages and disadvantages of each have been discussed ad nausium here - just look up the past posts.[/quote]

Thanks!

Unreal · Joined: 01 Jul 2004 Location: Jeollabuk-do

I wouldn't put too much trust in the Board of Education. They hired me but after I arrived told me that they didn't know if there was enough money in the budget to pay for my furniture (as per my contract) ...apparently they'll find out in June when the budget comes out. After talking to the principal and two officials at the provincial education office, the school administrator finally took on the risk and offered to buy the furniture himself.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:43 pm Post subject:

Public schools have about 30-40 students per class.

Hagwons have 4-12 students per class.

If you're a first-time teacher, you may find smaller classes easier to handle.

margaret · Joined: 14 Oct 2003

I agree with the posters who think there's something not right about the 10 month contract. I'd pass on that one. Please let us know how it turns out.
Margaret

anti_suttee · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Location: flat_land