Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hydrogonian]

Ok, I found a job with what seems like a great public school in a town which starts with "bu" and ends "ang" which I think will be a good position for me. Most of the kids, a few of whom I've met a few, I'm told are fluent in english. The apartment is a modern one room shoebox just 5 minutes from the school. In short, I'm happy to have found the job.

However, before my final of 3 interviews for the position, as I'm getting off of the subway, I have a Hagwon director approach me and offer 2.5 miilion right off of the bat. I tell him I'm late for an interview but, out of curiosity, I told him I would stop by afterwords( the hagwon is right outside the subway station.). Its a long split shift, 10-7, that he wants me to work. I'm not chasing a couple of hundred dollars per month to consider a hagwon over a public school and I tell him I'm taking the public school position. However, this guy is a fast talker, tells me to work part time at his school in exchange for a three room apartment near Gagnam plus pay, and convinces me to follow him to the provided housing as its on the way. So long story short, he takes me to dinner, wants me to live in his much larger apartment(however now a 25 minute subway ride from the public school), suggests that I take a housing stipend from the school instead, and teach in his Hagwon on Saturdays for an hour or two and instead of an hourly rate, we'll split the profits.

Now, I'm sure this is probably illegal in a number of ways, perhaps. But beyong my greed for the bigger and altogether better apartment closer to Seoul, I'm not tempted to take the deal because of the commute and possible unncessary complications with the school. But what I can't figure out is how this guy offering me this apartment for a few hours a week is worth it to him?? What would you do?

[Son Deureo!]

He can probably afford the apartment because he either already owns the building or (more likely) has already put down a large enough key money deposit that it doesn't really cost him anything to hold the apartment.

I think you've already pointed out the pros and cons of the arrangement, the inconvenience and risk of working at another school on Saturdays vs. more free time. Personally, I wouldn't do it because I think working a 6-day workweek blows. The money and apartment might be worth it to you, though. If your public school plays ball and gives you a housing stipend, it sounds like you just might be getting as much as an extra million per month plus a great apartment in return for your Saturdays.

There are three things you might consider, though.

One is that you might be able to get permission from the public school and Immigration to work legally at another location. Many places are willing to sign off on that sort of thing.

Another is that if you're going to teach privates, hogwons are probably the riskiest place to do them. Immigration does check up on hogwons from time to time, and spending a whole year working illegally in one sounds like a dicey proposition. I think it's a really bad idea to do this without permission.

Finally, if you are going to do this, insist on a minimum hourly rate OR a percentage of the students' tuition, whichever is higher. If your boss can bring in enough students, 50% of tuition could be quite a bit. Otherwise, you might be pissing away your Saturdays for a measly W15000/hr.

[spliff]

[mateomiguel]

[ChuckECheese]

[lastat06513]

Its out of conflict of interest that teachers in public schools are denied part time work at hogwons- remember, public schools are now in competition with the local hogwons to attract students to their programs and to be totally honest, the public school system is trying to drive hogwons out of business- in some ways, thats good.

Anyway- I wouldn't accept the housing because most part-time jobs are unstable to say the least, they are used mostly as a temporary source of income. If you take the housing, it locks you in a situation that might allow the hogwon owner to have influence over your time and might actually start making you work on your time off from the public school- which would turn into a dangerous situation.

[hydrogonian]

Exactly. I think I've resigned myself to my 10th floor sardine can with a view of a brick wall vs a roomy 2nd floor walkup in Gagnam primarily for the commute time and danger of over committment. Not to mention the legality issues. Oh well..

[babtangee]

I taught in both a hagwon and a public school last year. All legal and registered with immigration. And many of my hagwon students attended the public school. I don't know where you guys are getting your information. Have regulations changed yet again? Or is there a discrepency between different immigration offices, as usual?

Anyway, big apartments are great, but working Saturdays and being tied to an unknown wonjangoverlord doesn't sound cool. I'd want that Saturday schedule/pay-rate mapped out completely in a contract that garauntees you will not be kicked out of the apartment for any reason as long as you follow the contract - it's gonna suck if it all goes south and you have to move back into the shoe box or make other arrangements with your school. And if you really can't register the second job with immigration, it's not worth the risk.

Still, for a much larger apartment I'd definitely consider it. Though I'd rather the Saturday work was changed to a couple of weekday evenings. But that "one or two hours" for the apartment the wonjangoverlord mentioned, I too am skeptical about that.

[Clemens]

Unless you work out arrangments with the school to work at the hagwan, you're doing illegal work and if you're reported, you can be deported. If I were you, I'd ask the hagwan to give you samples of contracts of two recent employees. I'd ask for both the Korean and English language contracts (check them both for discrepancies) and I'd ask for references from at least two current or recent employees at that hagwan. I'd ask to see the hagwan and sit in a class to get a sense of its level of professionalism.

I'd take the school job first to be honest with you. It carries more prestige and if you decide to continue staying in the country, it will carry more weight with future employers. Build up some quality references while you're there and use the gig to seek other employment after your contract ends if you so desire.