Korean Job Discussion Forums

gartonator · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: NYC today, Seoul asap

Hi, sorry if everyone knows this, but I've tried to find these answers, but the search isn't working... I appreciate it greatly!

My plan is to work from sometime asap, say Sept '06, through sometime next spring, say April '07.

Is there any way to get an 8-month contract, or do I have to plan on breaking it?

What is the Korean school year?

How likely is it that I can find my school a replacement if I have to break a contract? How much will I be 'putting them out'?

Thanks again, I'll buy you a beer if I ever make it over there.

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

poet13 · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:48 am Post subject:

Please don't come with the intention of breaking a contract. At least talk to the school up front and let them know what your intentions are. I think you will be surprised at how reasonable people can be if you are reasonable with them. Yes, everyone already here, I am talking about Korea.

dulouz · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Location: Uranus

You can leave at 8 months. Just give the 30 days. If you are nice, you can get a LOR. They will be happy about saving the severance and plane ticket money.

gartonator · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: NYC today, Seoul asap

thanks everyone... so it sounds like a split decision... I guess I'll try telling some recruiters about leaving May 1st, and not tell others, see what happens, try not to screw anyone over...

If I do tell them beforehand, is it reasonable to ask for a one-way ticket there, same pay per month and free apartment/health insurance, - but no roundtrip ticket, no bonuses?

Also - what IS the school year... September-March then March-july??? I have no idea, thanks

poet13 · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:40 pm Post subject:

"If I do tell them beforehand, is it reasonable to ask for a one-way ticket there, same pay per month and free apartment/health insurance, - but no roundtrip ticket, no bonuses? "

I think that's more than fair. Good luck.

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

Hagwons don't really have a school year. The poor kids are forced to go year round. They won't care when you start at all.
For public schools, summer break is the end of July to the beginning of September. Winter break is January throuhg mid Feb. The kids move to hte next grade at the beginning of March. They might care a little when you start.

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:02 pm Post subject:

You will EASILY and I mean EASILY find a hagwon willing to employ you for eight months. The demand is huge. They will simply file paperwork for a typical one-year contract, and it doesn't matter to them or you AS LONG AS YOU ARE LEAVING KOREA AFTER EIGHT MONTHS, which I assume is the case? I have had an easy time getting six-month position offers once I made it perfectly clear to a couple of recruiters that that is what I was only looking for (ended up taking a one year position I came across elsewhere, but only because of three-day weekends every week).

Be up front about your needs. say the period of time you are available and willing to work, and you will get several offers. If one recruiter is uncooperative, go through others. The supply of jobs and demand for teachers is so high, you basically "can write your own ticket", to use an old expression from the good ol' days back home in the fifties and sixties (as family describes the time).

BTW, you should negotiate to get return airfare in the 8-month deal but no bonus at the end, or else one-way airfare and a half-month's bonus. Insist on one or the other. Personally, I'd want the return ticket in my hand over a promise of more money at the end, but one or the other should come to you.

Good luck whatever.

brento1138 · Joined: 17 Nov 2004

Man, I know my old school (Ding Ding Dang) was pretty desperate for teachers sometimes. They actually employed a few teachers for only 2 month contracts, or sometimes, even 1 month gigs. They'll pay your plane ticket and give housing and everything... it's just they'd prefer one year, but sometimes beggars can't be choosers. Definitely send them your resume, tell them you only intend on staying 8 months, and they may or may not get back to you. Chances are, they will. And they're not a bad school to work for... pretty standard hakwon for comparing to other hakwons.

Look on the ESL cafe Korean Job postings, and you'll always see an ad there for DDD. I know the name is silly, and others might warn you against this school, but I (and some friends of mine) have had an awesome experience there... if 8 months is your thing, they'll probably take you in. But don't expect more than 2.0. You'll prob only get 1.9 plus plane tix.