Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Joey Kay]

Hey there... newbie here with a question regarding a position which I've been offered. Any seasoned advice would be greatly appreciated, as I'm totally green to the Korean scene...

I have been teaching in Canada for three years, but plan on moving overseas after this school year. So far, I have been offered a position at the Canadian Foreign School. It's some subsidiary of BCM Educational Group (it's actually the only position which I've applied for so far...) Here's the basic scoop:

* Start date: August 1, 2006
* Monthly Salary: 2,070,000 Korean won
* Location: Gang-nam in Seoul
* Teaching hours: 30 teaching hours/week + class preparation time
* Work schedule: Monday to Friday � 2:30pm-8:30pm (elementary students)
* Vacation: 2 weeks paid vacation + Korean national holidays
* Housing: Single fully furnished apartment or 300,000 much as housing allowance
* Other benefits: Medical insurance (50%)/Year-end bonus/Round trip airfare

Is this a fair job offer? Does anybody know of what this particular school is like to work for?

Also, what is the location like? I would like to spend some off-time hanging out in the Itaewon district - is it easily accessible from this location?

Any advice is greatly appreciated - hopefully I can pay it forward some day (my apologies for the allusion to such an attrocious piece of Hollywood tripe!)

Cheers!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Are you a certified teacher in Canada? If so, you should be able to get a better job at an international school, in Korea or elsewhere. The offer you posted above looks like a mediocre hogwan job. I had less experience and qualifications (if you don't count teaching uni and degrees unrelated to TEFL) than you when I got my current job that involves far less teaching hours and pays more. You should be able to do much better, and given your experience you might be quite dismayed if this offer turns out to be a typical crap hogwan.

[Joey Kay]

Thanks for the feedback! I do have a BA and BEd, and Professional A Teacher Certification in Saskatchewan, and have taught full-time for three years.

I also have been told that I could earn more working for the SMOE, but from what I understand, it's tougher and not as much social interaction with other foreign teachers.

This is tough stuff to wade through at first - thanks again for the advice!

Cheers!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Aussiekimchi]

Are teachers more likely to take a lower salary and a shoebox apartment in Gangnam rather than a higher salary and larger apartment in Gyeonggido?

[Son Deureo!]

With the exception of overtime, which you don't mention, this hogwon job fits my Kiddie Hogwon Bare Minimum (TM):

[jinju]

[Bulsajo]

Kangnam has its perks, and a large apartment isn't so much of a priority for some, especially if you have it to yourself as the OP indicates. A big apartment with some lunatic with a roomate? Been there, not fun.

[jinju]

[Hotpants]

With your quals I would say hunt around. I don't know why you just applied to one job only. The job outline you put forward suggests an after school program. 30+ hrs, 2 wks vacation, 2 mill won are typical of most run-of-the-mill jobs here. BCM is a hagwon style outfit with many side operations. If you want to have less hours and higher pay, there are other posts for you. If you're really keen on elementary kids, the best positions are typically with private elementary schools. There was an ad for such a one only yesterday - check the job board. You'll get far more perks and vacation with such a position. Alternatively, you'd be eligible to work in a university. You really have lots of scope for maneouvre here.

[Joey Kay]

[Bulsajo]

Yeah, s/he could do better, but at the same time if the lure of almighty dollar isn't the main priority this doesn't sound like a bad starter job... but I'm biased, I really liked Gangnam.

[jinju]

[Bulsajo]

[Joey Kay]