Korean Job Discussion Forums

robin4530 · Joined: 25 Oct 2006

Hi,
I'm considering teaching at the Talking Club in Daegu, Korea. I was wondering if anyone has taught in Korea, specifically in Daegu, and even more useful at the Talking Club. The contract is for a year, and begins Dec 1st. I am supposed to be having a phone interview next week- any ideas what they will ask? How cold does it get in Daegu? (it was not listed on www.weather.com) I currently live in philly and ride my bicycle everywhere- should i bring my bike to korea? Is there a lot of bicycle theft there? What is Daegu like? Is it easy to get to nice beaches, flights to other places, etc from there on the weekends? What should I expect my housing to be like (will it be cold cement, like in latin america)? These are the basics of the contract: do they look ok?

2. The term of employment hereunder shall be one year (from December 1, 2006 to November 30, 2007), but may be extended by mutual agreement.

3. The teaching time is at maximum 5 hours a day, Monday to Friday. (equivalent to about 100 hours per month). When the teacher teaches more than these hours, the overtime is paid at the hourly rate of 20,000 won.

4. The School agrees to provide the following salaries and benefits:

1) Salary: 2,200,000 won per month.

2) Housing: Rent free furnished independent apartment with all the basic furniture and appliances (But, the monthly apartment management expenses and phone bills are on Teacher). ---- are these expenses going to be a lot? how much can i expect to save per month if i am not a big spender? i've read that people are able to save about half of their montly salaries.

3) The airfare for the trip to obtain the teaching visa and the returning to the Teacher's country. (The airfare for returning from Korea is paid on the condition that the teacher is to complete the contract period of one year).

4) Severance payment: One month's salary subject to completion of the full contract period of one year.

5) 10 days of paid vacation for the one year contract (Teacher should consult the manager about the actual dates of vacation two weeks in advance).

6) Health Insurance under a private insurance company in Korea may be purchased by monthly deduction from the employee's salary, at present about 3%, and a like amount is contributed by the employer.

5. When the Instructor wants to terminate the contract due to personal reasons before six months, he/she should pay the school a month's salary as the penalty of breaking the contract, and the teacher has to report GLS of the departure at least three weeks in advance. Of course, the teacher receives no benefits of severance payment and returning airfare when the teacher does not complete the contract period of one year.

Thanks so much for helping me!

babtangee · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 7:41 am Post subject:

robin4530 · Joined: 25 Oct 2006

Thanks for the advice.
I had my phone interview today and I asked them if they had a specific curriculm they wanted me to teach and they said no. they said it is becuase they have only been in existence for 5 years. I asked if the 5 hours would be in a block or if it would be split scheduling. She was very vague in her answer and just told me that the schedule changes month to month.

I am wondering how much do they charge the students? and are the students likely to renue after one month? b/c surely one cannot learn very much in just one month. She said there are about 6-7 people per class and about 100 total students in the school. She said that the only teachers they have are korean and there are currently only 5 teachers.

I also got a contract from LCI Academy, they seem to be more established and their penalties for leaving before 6 months were much harsher, so I didn't think a month's salary would be that bad. Plus, what are they going to do if you don't pay it and just leave the country? I mean can they really track you down?

babtangee · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:22 am Post subject:

Well, be trying to enforce these harsh penalties they are basically encouraging you to run out. If one does run out and leave the country consequences are unlikely. But I always thought repaying your airfare for leaving early was basic practice. I don't think these other penalties are at all legal. If you sign off on them though...

Another thing about that Talking Club gig: the medical insurance looks suspicious - foreigners are by law required to be covered under the national plan, not private insurance, and the rates are a little less than 3%. It seems likely they are attempting to avoid paying pension (which the national insurance will contact if they sign you up with them). If you are North American this is not so good for you - you will lose a significant lump sum of money you are entitled to at the end of your contract.

If the hagwon is dodgey and is constantly changing teachers (Korean teachers included), then it's apt to change students often too. I can understand classes changing a bit month to month, but it shouldn't be that dramatic. Not with 100 students. Classes should be fairly well defined. Management could well be nuts though, so never can tell. Seems strange that after 5 years they haven't got a set curriculum. That's not a short time... lol.

I'd try and get them to change the contract a bit. The offer isn't all together bad. If they've never had a foreign teacher before it's quite likely a recruiter wrote the contract, or they copied one from who knows where and have little idea of its contents. Getting them to make alterations shouldn't be impossible. I'd try to get:

6-7 hour block schedule.
25,000 per hour overtime minimum.
Repay airfare if ending contract early.
(If you are NA) National Med. Plan? Are you avoiding the pension?

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

Daegu is pretty nice.

Weather is equivalant to Wash. DC, maybe a tad colder.

Not much snow on account of the beautiful mountains that surrond it.

It gets cold and windy. Summer is warm.

Pohang is about 1 hour maybe longer by express bus, thay have beaches there.

Busan is about an hour by KTX, it is port city, I think there are some beaches there or nearby.

Jeju is a short plane trip away, nice weekend trip.

The subway is excellent, plenty of night life Thunderbird, ItaewanCrewClub, The Comune and many more.

Traditional Street Markets for fresh veggies and fruits I forget the names of the big one may Sae Jong or something, but there is a Chil Seong Market too.

Costco, Homever for your delicate foriegn needs.

Take the bus tours only 5000w ($5) all day tour 4 - 5 stops there are several different routes see Sean at the tourist booth at Dong Daegu station.

Pal Gong San, Ap San, http://www.daegutour.co.kr

Burger King, McDonalds, Bennigan's, TGI Fridays, Taco Bell, Dunkin Donuts.

If you don't like the nightlife downtown try the Camp Walker Area.

I should be there in March.

cbc

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

http://www.daegu.go.kr

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

Where is the location of this school in daegu?
If it is located in Jisan Dong, then i would recommend you pass on it.

Reasons being:
1. They are a brand new location. I believe they opened about 2 months ago. It would be impossible to be secure in knowing that the management is fair, honest, or competant. There are no current foreign teachers there to ask regarding these things.

2. The Jisan location is one of the most heavily 'instituted' areas in daegu. There are English academies on top of each other, next to each other. They are everywhere.
This competition puts more stress on the teacher to perform without flaw, to do extra duties, and to be blamed when students change schools.