Korean Job Discussion Forums

NewbieCouple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Hi there!

We're looking for jobs beginning this August/September, and we're wondering if there's a standard way schools calculate working hours. We were excited about this chain, www.ybmecc.co.kr, until we looked at the sample contract. If they're only counting 40 minutes of each hour as teaching time, the 95-hour month they advertise really isn't.

Are we missing something? When we see ads for jobs with 22 maximum weekly teaching hours and "working hours" of 9 to 5, does this mean they're figuring hours the same way as YBM? Does everyone figure hours this way?

We're not unreasonable; we're realistic about the time it might take to grade papers, prepare for classes, etc. We're just hoping to find jobs that don't take up more than 30 hours each week. Are we just being naive?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give us!

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

At a hogwan you'll be working however many hours equate to the number of paying customers, and if it's more than 30 you may have to fight for OT. In addition you may have to be at work an hour or two before your first lesson even if you have nothing to do.

At a public school you'll be expected to be there from 8.30 or 9 until 4.30 or 5, even though some weeks you may only have a few lessons to teach.

At an adult academy you may have ridiculous split shifts.

Or you might find a hogwan where you're only there from 3-8.30 five days a week with a few breaks.

It's just such a crap shoot.

NewbieCouple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Okay, thanks for the advice. I'll take "C." Smile

Seriously, though, now I can rule out public schools and focus on finding a fair private one. There's got to be something out there...

Thanks again!

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

keninseoul · Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul

Specify in the contract, that the max 'admin' hours is NN per month, else overtime kicks in. If they resist the idea - RUN! - shows they are not at all fair-minded.

But hogwons and public schools usually do expect your warm butt in the school during certain hours, others are more liberal (ie show up an hour before classes, and leave after the last class). Ask and push.

rmparent · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Location: Gangnam

Newbiecouple,

I read the sample contract on www.ybmecc.co.kr and I think that you're confused. It says that the 95 hours = 142 forty minute classes. If you multiply 142 by 40 you get 5680 minutes. Divide that number by 60 (minutes) and you get 94.6. Thus, they are not counting the forty minute classes as 1 hour.

Homer · Guest

I think as newbies and a couple wanting to work in the same school (correct?) you might have a hard time landing that better deal from abroad.

YBM ECC can be a decent choice for a first year newbie but you gotta do your homework (i.e. call the teachers at the school).

Hakwon are a diverse lot with a lot of crap schools out there. Most teaching jobs will have higher working hours than the basic teaching periods. That is just par for the course, much like any teaching job.

I don't think you guys are being unreasonable but you may have to re-adjust your sights at some point.

Best of luck with the job hunt.

akisara · Joined: 29 Apr 2006

tareze · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Location: north or south of a river

Do not under any circumstances take a job at YBM's Suyu English Village.
It's a very exploitative contract and quite well written.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

For newbies looking for contracts make sure you check out the sticky at the head of this section.

You really want set hours.....teach from 2-8, mon to fri, 5 or 6 classes a day(pick one)....anything outside of these times will be considered overtime.

CoolTeach · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Location: Back in the USSR