Korean Job Discussion Forums

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

My contract is up soon. Next year will be my 3rd year at this school if I resign.
I've taught for 2 years at this after-school academy in a small city down South. My wages are low (2 mil minus 1.5% tax) for my second year of teaching. (I don't pay pension or health insurance).

I teach Conversation, Business, Korean Teachers, and Academic Essay Writing classes. Most of my classes are single or 2 students (maximum of 6 students in a class).

Usually I teach 26 hours a week (26 X 50 min classes), Mon-Fri 4-9p or 4-10pm. I usually attend school for 6 hours a day (M-F) but my contract states a maximum 8 hours attendance per day. I spend about 5-10 mins a day preparing for classes.

In summer and winter vacations I work a maximum of 28 hours per week (28 X 50 min). Mon-Fri 1-9pm.

What is the going rate these days? I hear people getting/asking for 2.2 million in their 1st or 2nd year. What is a reasonable salary for a third year Hagwon teacher with a Masters degree? Obviously the smaller classes and non-Seoul location won't get me the same wage as in Seoul.
Any comments/help appreciated.

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

How is it that you are only on 2 mil in your second year? I started 18 months ago and wasnt accepting anything less than 2 mil and I live in a country town. I re-signed with my school for 2.1 for a second contract, though feel I sholuld be getting a bit more than that. (I only have a bachelors degree and had no experience when I arrived).

With your qualifications and experience (now) it should definately be more. You could post your resume and see what kind of offers you are getting elsewhere, and take the numbers to your boss. You deserve more, especially if you are staying at the same school. the teachers/kids/boss knows you and dont need to train up a new teacher, plus yet again, you are saving them a recruiting fee....

Novernae · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

no pension? r u from the US or Canada? If so you are losing out on an extra mil + a year!

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

No, I'm not a North American. Paying pension is a waste of money for me. I'm not interested in health insurance. I've travelled for 12 years without health insurance and I don't have it in my home country either.

I only get 1,968,000 (won) in hand each month so am looking for a pay rise. Any ideas of what I can expect to get 'cash in hand'?
I know other teachers get 2.2 and above, but they have to pay monthly bogus health and pension payments, which I don't. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

antoniothegreat · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Location: Yangpyeong

i think the basics of EPIK are someting like 1.9 million, plus 100K for every year of experience, plus 200K for a masters degree, plus 100K for living in a rural area. not sure if this is exact, but by this, if you were in EPIK, you would be making 2,500,000 in your third year.
i think with a masters and experience, you could start anywhere for atleast 2.3, at the absolute minimum. i would ask for a huge raise.

like someone else said, check out other schools, talk about contracts, and get their offers, if you really want to stay at your school, bring those offers in and show them the numbers. if everyone else is offering you 2.5, then they have no reason to not pay you that. if they are in financial problems or have other excuses, that is not your fault. they must pay you a competetive salary.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I would try to find some example job ads offerring 2.2+ as well as a copy of the EPIK pay scale and show it to them. Remind them that the won is falling and they'll have a tougher time finding teachers because of the political situation.

If they're not offering you a raise after all the time you put in and you haven't been a total *beep*-up, if they don't offer you a decent raise they are insulting you and you should let them know that.

rvintage · Joined: 05 Jul 2005

Am I reading this right? You have a Masters and only get 2 mill. My darling you are getting screwed and have been for quite some time I assume. They are not spending extra money on you for health insurance or pension, just another reason they should pay you more. Sound like you are at a tiny hagwon in the middle of nowhere and they probably can't afford to pay you what you're worth (2.2-2.3 minimum), so I would just find another job.

Why don't you go for a university job? You make that kinda money with about half the hours and loads of vacation.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Thanks for your help. I know I need a pay rise. Sometimes there are waiting lists for my classes. Where do I get a copy of the EPIK& GEPIK programs/payscales? Thanks

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Well, it's quite exciting at my little hagwon now. Last night my director offered me 2.1 mil gross (before tax) for resiging for teaching a third year at the same school. I politely told him I couldn't work there for that as newbie teachers, straight out of college, are getting 2.2.
I await developments and would appreciate your constructive comments.