Korean Job Discussion Forums

neil-r · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: busan

I was just curious as to what people thought about the hours currently offered by most contracts. I am being offered 10 - 7 or 2 - 10, or a split shift that starts at 6 a.m. and ends at around 4. I am a little unsure of the pros and cons of them in terms of businesses being open, working through til late in the evening, or, conversley, throughout the middle of the day when I can be running errands. I understand that depending on which age I teach determines which hours I teach. Any advice or past experience suggestions is appreciated!

babtangee · Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:44 am Post subject:

I worked 10am -7pm two days a week for half of my first year. It totally sucked. Up early, home late... lots of breaks inbetween, but where's the good in it?

Refused to stay if I had to do the same this year, and had my schedule comfortably set at 2.30-8 and 1-6.

The average deal for a hagwon is 6 hours straight, 7 max. That's about right. Anything more and you may as well work at a public school.

BigBuds · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Location: Changwon

None

ryanbonner · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Location: Seoul

the truth is if you're looking for a job in seoul from abroad, most of the jobs youll be offered with be solid 7-8 shifts. i work 2-10 and while there are times I'm a bit bored, most of the time I use preparing lessons and grading papers. a lot of people on this board say don't agree to anything more than 6 hours a day or whatever, but if you have no experience and you want to be in Seoul, securing that kind of position takes more than a bit of luck.

Summer Wine · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Next to a River

By the way, the hours are not always etched in stone. Its in the contract, but you may be teaching less hours than is in the contract and not have to stay for all the working hours.

It all depends on certain issues, give a little, take a little. Stay in Korea long enough, you learn to round out the square edges of a contract.

Come in hard, you hit a wall and spend your effort arguing.

As I have been in both positions and am one of the hard few, I feel I can say I know what I am talking about.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I enjoy my 2:00-8:30 immensely. Half an hour or prep and then 6 hours of teaching, with lots of little five minutes breaks thrown in. Best of both worlds...no early morning but you can still go out with friends or to the gym at night.