Korean Job Discussion Forums

[melvaughn]

This is my first time teaching and I'm about to sign a contract with the little America Chain (although I've heard questionable things about this chain) However, I talked to one teacher who loved it there and extended her contract. There are long teaching hours- 9:30-2:15 is kindergarten (with an hour lunch, 20 min break, and usually a 40 min break but not always) Then the afternoon is from 2:30 to 5:30 (elementary)...except mondays where I would teach till 6:10...(5 min breaks between each class...class blocks are 40 min long) Pay 2.1mWon. Are these hours reasonable or way too long? I've Posted the contract, if anyone wouldn't mind letting me know if there is anything suspicious about it. Thanks a lot.


Article 1. EMPLOYMENT OF EMPLOYEE

The Employer wants to employ the Employee as an English teacher for the Employer and the Employee agree to work for the Employer as an English teacher in Bu-Chun, Korea.


Article 2. PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT

The period of this contract is one year beginning from the date of the Employee's first working day at the Institute, Korea.

Starting Working Date : 08/14/2006

Finishing Working Date : 08/15/2007


Article 3. SALARY AND WORKING HOURS

a. The minimum teaching requirement is an average of thirty (30) hours per week (this is purely teaching hours time spent teaching classes, not including preparation time), such average being calculated over each month. Monday through to Friday are teaching days except for scheduled public holidays.

b. The Employee will teach 48 weeks out of his/her one year contract period. This excludes public holidays/summer-winter vacation which are determined by the Koran government and school.

The Employer shall pay 2.1M Won (Korean currency)as a gross salary monthly. Payment shall be made once a month. In no event shall the Employee wait any longer than 31 calendar days to receive his/her monthly salary. Payment will be made on the 20th of every month UNLESS prior notice is given to the Employee in writing. Income Tax(3.3%)shall be deducted from the gross salary every month in accordance with Korean Tax Code. No other cost shall be deducted from Employee's salary without prior written consent from the Employer.


Article 4. OVER-TIME PAY

If the Employee teaches more than 120 hours a month, he/she will be paid 20,000Won per hour for the extra hours. This will be paid in addition to the salary at the payment day.


Article 5. POLICIES

The following policies have been established to assist instructors in the regular performance of their duties. The Employer will have the right to dismiss the Employee for clear and frequent neglect of duties under this agreement.

a. The Employer shall request the resignation of the Employee, if the Employee is found to be guilty of gross misconduct in the execution of his/her teaching duties. If this gross misconduct brings a negative effect to the classes, the Employer will dismiss the Employee and shall be free from any legal responsibility. However, the Employee will be notified in writing to ensure that the Employee is given adequate opportunity to correct the misconduct.

b. Professional dress and grooming in the work place are essential to maintain the desired reputation. The Employer is responsible for establishing guidelines for professional dress.

c-��. The Employee must behave in a professional manner during class. The Employee needs to be aware of the differences in the cultural background of Korean students and their expectations of the teachers when the Employee socializes with them outside of the class.

c-��. The Employer will give full training to the New Employee. The Employer will responsible for the training of the following :

1) Teaching methods. ie. teaching students

2) Cultural differences and any other points that are related to teaching at Little America.

d. The Employee should attend all staff meetings as requested by the Director. If the Employee needs to be absent, the Employee must inform the Director or Assistant Director prior to the meeting. (At least 1 day notice)

e. The Employee is required to interview new students and evaluate their placement levels.

f. The Employee shall return all instructional and related material to the Institute following completion of each session. The Employee may retain adequate materials to prepare for future class sessions.

g. The Employee shall strongly adhere to prepared teaching materials for each class and always be honest and diligent in teaching students in all classes.

h. The Employee shall agree not to teach at any other Institutes or places without the permission of the Immigration Office and by Little America.

i. If the Employee seeks release from the contract for any reasons or personal problems, the Employee should report to the Employer. In this case, the Employee has to agree to work up until the new instructor has arrived (not more than 3 months). The Employee is required to return the airfare fee received from the Employer. Also, the Employee will be responsible for the return ticket.

j. The Employee will agree to prepare all class lessons in advance such as lesson materials, photocopies etcetera. Staff meetings, report writing, telephone interviews, student interviews, excursions, seminars and any teaching related job functions will be carried out by the Employee as requested by the Employer which do not incorporate into teaching hours. These events and activities may be scheduled on weekends where the Employee's attendance is compulsory. These events and activities are all part of teaching preparation and teaching requirements~extra payment is not given.


Article 6. BENEFITS

a. Accommodation : the Employer will arrange accommodation in mutual agreement with the Employee. The Employer will arrange and pay for a fully furnished accommodation for the period of the contract, and the Employee shall pay all living expenses including electricity, water, gas, oil, phone bills et cetera. The Employee can share a furnished apartment with other teachers or can stay in a furnished apartment alone.

b. Health and Travel Insurance : Medical (Health) accident and Travel insurance will be offered to the Employee. The annual payment will be split between the Employee (the Teacher) and the Employer (the Institute). For further details in regards to your insurance refer to your insurance guide book.

c. Travel allowance : The Employer will provide one way air ticket to Korea to the Employee and pick up the Employee at the airport. The return airfare will be provided only after the completion of the one year contract.

#.The employer will provide return airfare to the employee's home in Aug,2006 and a one way air ticket to the employee's home will be provided only after the completion of the one year contract.

d. The Employer's renewal of contract ;

1) The Employer reserves the option to renew the contract, provided that the Employee agrees to the renewal.

2) The Employer will give the Employee 60-days notice before renewal or non-renewal of the Employee's current contract.

e-��. If the Employee agrees to renew his/her contract or complete his/her one year contract, severance pay of one moth's salary will be paid to the Employee.

e-��. Severance pay will only be paid to the Employee after completion of the one year contract.

*.Option : If the employee will work till mid.Aug.2006, 50% of the severence pay and 50% of a round trip ticket will be paid, and till nov.2006, 100% will be paid not only severance pay but round trip ticket.


Article 7. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

Any dispute arising under or in connection with the related Korean Regulations and Codes. The parties agree to comply with all applicable laws in their performance of this Agreement.

In witness where of the parties have caused this contract to be executed as of the date of this contract.

[itchy]

[melvaughn]

Thanks so much for taking the time to read the contract. I was suspicious myself about some of the things. They have been pressuring me to sign as soon as possible and fly down immediately. Are all schools that desperate? You'd think they could cover the classes themselves until the employee is ready to arrive instead of expecting them to fly down at the drop of a hat.

Also is it normal to sign a contract before speaking to the supervisor/boss? I'm being recruited through another teacher whose leaving but won't be speaking with the supervisor until I arrive on the plane

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Optional Toaster]

I'd say if you are looking to just explore teaching it might be a good move. If you are looking to explore Korea you might find it to be too much work. Kindy kids can be great and the elementary students aren't bad but if your boss wants to push you to the limit he/she will.

I think the biggest thing to think about is...are you going to go out at night? A half-hour with kindy kids (let alone 4 hours) can kill you if you are enjoying the night life too often. There are lots of jobs out there.... if I had it to do over again I'd pick an afternoon-early evening shift and enjoy the fact that I could sleep in and enjoy the night life a bit.

[cypher]

[ttompatz]

[ChopChaeJoe]

It sounds like a lot of teaching hours to me.