Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jamhead]

The time for me to negotiate my contract renewal is closing in, and I'm wondering how much I should ask for. My contract is out in about 3 months.
I have a few good cards in my hand. First, I know the company wants to keep me. They've recently given me a promotion, of sorts, to a sort of teacher/ middle management position and, not that I'm drawing a direct link to myself, the division of the hagwon I teach in has experienced a great deal of success since I've been around. Second, I have a Master's in TESOL. I could easily get a job elsewhere, and I think they know this. Third, I know for a fact that other, less-qualified (no disrespect, I'm speaking in terms of educational background) teachers make more than me. I make 2.1 now and know that other foreign teachers make more than that, even if it's just a little.
Any tips from people who've gone through contract negotiations before? The only thing I'm sure of is that I want to live in Korea another year. I'm of a mind to take my free plane ticket home from the current hagwon and break for a couple months in the summer to visit the family and look for another good job. Then, come back around the start of the fall semester. This is, unless of course, the contract negotiations convince me to do otherwise.

[Zark]

Only my opinion, but with an MATESOL - you should be working in a university with significant time off - and much better wages. That is, unless you WANT to be in middle management.

Respect yourself - and the value of the education you worked hard for. You have some experience under your belt now - go for a far better job.

Just my opinion.

[jamhead]

Are university gigs better? I've looked at a few online postings and yes, they do offer more salary and vacation than a hagwon. However, they don't seem to offer the free roundtrip airfare and, even though the salary is higher, it gets used on rent because they dont' seem to offer housing at least from what I can tell. The airfare and arranged housing are big factors for me.
Thanks for your feedback!

[Zark]

Most university jobs provide housing - or extra money.

Airfare - seems optional.

But contracts are often for 9-12 hours and you earn extra for classes over that number of hours. Also, you can get MUCH more vacation time. Even if the wages are the same - by the time you get paid over time - you are making more. Often you can work during some of your vacation for extra pay on top of your vacation pay.

Entry level jobs are never the best - but the long term potential is much better for you - at a tertiary level job. Hagwon work will burn you out - very quickly. A lot of the better university jobs - and you ARE qualified for them (might need another year or two of experience though) - pay MUCH better.

The job I just left, without getting too specific - was with a base pay for 12 hours - at significantly more money than your wage - PLUS a fair amount of over time pay on top of that - plus twenty weeks paid vacation per year.

Free housing - no plane ticket (I gladly paid for it with the 20 weeks of paid vacation time).

Now, I've been teaching EFL since '92 and have an M.Ed. and MBA - BUT - your MATESOL puts you in the running.

Getting some tertiary experience can also put you in the running for very well paid jobs in the UAE - should you ever wish to save significant money. Your hagwon experience will not help you qualify for anything.

Grab a little confidence - there is much more out there for you.

Just my opinion.

[jamhead]

I want to keep this thread going. Supposing I do stay with the current hagwon, how much is reasonable to ask for?

Also, if I go to another (better) hagwon, does a year of hagwon experience raise my worth?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

My friend who also accepted a supervisory position got a .2 million raise when he re-signed. I'd say that would be about right.

If I had your background I personally still wouldn't want to work in a hogwan setting for 2.3 unless I was very, very happy there.

You should also try to negotiate in some decent holiday time.

[Smee]

I'd say at least 2.4, although I'd be surprised if they'd agree to that much. Why not try interviewing with POLY or another hagwon advertising on Dave's? Just get a contract where they offer you a significant raise and use that as leverage. 2.4 per month seems like the ceiling with hagwons, but since you've got experience and an MA, it doesn't seem too far-fetched. Plus, remind the school what they'd be saving on recruiters' fees.

[zappadelta]

Can you tell us more about your job duties/hours?

[jamhead]

zappadelta, I work 8hrs a day, M-F. I teach TOEFL writing (and recently speaking since the iBT change). The students are pretty top notch, many have lived abroad and many wil go or already have been accepted to Minsago and other foreign language high schools. These facts are major advertising points for the hagwon, which is doing very well for itself. I'm basically in charge of developing the curriculum as well as a few course materials for these classes, I don't like TOEFL study books so I don't use a text. A large part of my time is spent individually evaluating essays and giving feedback.
Don't get much in the way of holidays, save for the big national holidays that every gets off.

blackbear, thanks for the tip. Actually, I've seriously been considering POLY. There is a branch near my current hagwon and I always run into little tykes who seem like they're having a blast. It would be nice not to have to teach toward a standardized test.

[PRagic]

Just chiming in. I agree with many in that you should definitely be looking for university work. I'd say you're well enough qualified for some great jobs, too, and at some universities, you might even be tasked to teach TESOL classes. The money is far better, the time off is a godsend, and, as stated, you can easily get overtime if you are out to pack away the coin. Go for it! They'll be hiring in force starting in May/June.

[bellum99]

Perhaps there are other reasons the OP wants to stay where they are. I usually don't ever say it, but......sometimes money isn't everything (I think it is 90%). If the OP is happy then it is good...I would get more money because you are doing too much work. They can't replace you easily because of the extra work you are doing....ask for a little too much and negotiate down to what you want.

[jamhead]

bellum99, thanks for the tip. Chinja, money isn't everything. My priority is gaining teaching experience because this is what I plan to do, probably for the next couple decades, so I want to develop more with a few temporary positions before I settle into something more long term.

To those who suggested working for a university: Yes, I know I can get a job at one without trying too hard. I've seen all the ads. But I simply don't have the money to pay for my own flight back to Korea after I go home, and most universities don't offer airfare from what I've seen. That's why I'm thinking of staying in the hagwon system. Oodles of vacation time are fine, but that's not a priority either. I'm here to work. This current position is basically my first fulltime gig after 6 years of university + grad school, which was enough of a vacation itself. Thanks for the reassurance anyhow.

[PRagic]

You are of course entitled to make your own career choices. Still, no matter how many years of school you've had, the general rationale for employment is 'more money, less work!'. If you WANT to work more, than you can do so within the university system. Also, you'll have far more opportunities for professional development, and your experience will count for something if and when you decide to go back to school for your Ph.D./Ed.D.

While your priority may indeed be getting 'teaching experience', don't forget that the TYPE of teaching experience you acquire, as well as WHERE you acquire it, will impact your future. Again, just IMHO, but I've been here a long time, and I've never known anyone worth their salt with the right qualifications that chose to stay at a hakwon in lieu of a university position. To each their own....

[dzeisons]

If you are teaching TOEFL writing you should be getting more than 2.1. Some Korean teachers get a cut of all the tuition from teaching TOEFL dependent on the number of students e.g. one Korean friend gets minimum 4 million a month and up to 7 million a month depending on how many students sign up. I think she gets approx 33% of the total tuition. You are doing a similar job (and with a native's knowledge and Masters) so you should probably earn quite a bit more than 2.1 IMHO.