Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Milwaukiedave]

I agree with YBS...pay is generally 2.0-2.5 (It can run less for less experience instructors and more for those who have more experience. Overtime is a factor as well.).

Also teaching hours, I don't know where the 35 hours a week comes from. In most contracts I've seen 22 hours is the max anything more is overtime. My area doesn't offer a lot of overtime, but maybe some others do. I'd say the range of hours is closer to 16-28 hours on average then what was quoted by the OP.

Incheon Schools

Level 1 - 1.8
Level 2 2.0
Level 3 2.3

[PRagic]

Just a quick response to that one. The jobs USED TO BE out there, but they are few and far inbetween now. My current job provides just a little over 2.5 months of vacation in the summer AND winter, paid, plus the usual breaks for university festivals and the like. I teach on a 10 contact hour (paid for 12) schedule.

My first university job back in 98 provided similar vacations and a three day a week schedule.

I have only had three university positions in Korea, and one of them, the one I thouroughly regretted having taken, was the only one that I applied to on a cold call. Yes, I generally get jobs through professional circles and collegues. I have published in an assortment of diciplines, and I have the right degrees, I guess. Whatever the reasons, I have been fortunate enough to get the jobs I've gone after. Knock on wood.

[SuperHero]

[chilgok007]

Sorry to be slightly off topic here, but how does one come across a full-time corporate gig out here? Is it all word of mouth or is it possible for a recuriter to place you in such a position? I do have a years worth of corporate teaching experience (in China), and I'd love to get back into it.

As far as advantages are concerned if your planning on moving on into non-ESL fields later on down the road, you really can't beat corporate for resume building, gaining general (and possibly specialized) business knowledge and, of course, networking. Also, if you get in real tight with the HR manager, who knows where it might lead...

[chilgok007]

Actually, I was trying to think of some of the advantages and disadvantages of working in Hakwons, but the former is proving to be a bit tricky.

ADVANTAGES
1) Positions are really easy to come by, and require little in the way of qualifications
2) Pay is decent compared to other entry-level positions back home: 1.9 - 2.2 million (if it comes on time)
3) Good stepping stone into better jobs for first-timers
4) Little prep-time required (though more so, I'm guessing, than public schools)


DISADVANTAGES
1) Education often hindered by the business aspects
2) Lack of respect for Hakwon teachers in Korean society, the foreign community and in the classroom
3) Easy to get taken advantage of by greedy bosses who fail to honor written contracts
4) Lack of vacation time (two weeks spread throughout the year)
5) Situations can vary immensly from Hakwon to Hakwon
6) Very high stress level, depending on the institution
7) Often turns off good, well meaning foreigners to Korean society
8) Can be very repetitive
9) Often lots of busy work, eating away precious prep time
10) Very high level of administration involvement
11) Out of corporate, public, and university jobs, has the the greatest amount of teaching hours
12) Little job security
13) You're constantly under parental review
14) Many unrelated duties often required
15) Institutions are often unaccountable to government/law enforcement agencies
15) If you find the students attractive, there's something seriously wrong with you (unless your at an adult-ed/university Hakwon)

[SPINOZA]

[canukteacher]

My base is 9 hours, one day off a week, and full summer and winter vacations. There is no cap on how long teachers stay, and as long as you do an acceptable job nobody bothers you.

I like it.

CT