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trueblue
Joined: 15 Jun 2014
Location: In between the lines
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 Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 3:11 am Post subject: |
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| denverdeath wrote: |
I worked at an adult place for three years before, two of which I was the head teacher. I was getting 300,000 extra monthly for that. Heard the cheapies fazed that out about 1.5 years after I left.
Regarding the position you're looking at, it doesn't seem terrible, maybe. 2-10pm=40 hours. Most adult, and other, hakwons base the salaries on a 30-hour workweek, so you should think about that. If they give you an hour for dinner and maybe another for prep each day, then that's the 30. If they actually expect you to teach 8 straight, it's a rip-off for only 2.3. It's actually a rip-off for 2.6 if they make you the "head teacher", too. You MAY also have to deal with some less-than-happy co-workers/underlings wondering why you were given the head teacher position when they've been slaving away there for a couple of years already.
And, with the no syllabus thing, you COULD look at that as a very good thing...if you know what you're doing. If they do have students who are begiiners to advanced though, you're gonna have to get yourself a few texts for the lower-intermediates, and then download and print your own stuff for the upper-intermediate to higher levels. I like that kind of set-up as I don't mind planning the curriculum myself. Others hate it. |
Good points.
O.P...perhaps you should consider a cushy after-school gig...paying at least 2.4-2.5? |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 3:20 am Post subject: |
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| trueblue wrote: |
| denverdeath wrote: |
I worked at an adult place for three years before, two of which I was the head teacher. I was getting 300,000 extra monthly for that. Heard the cheapies fazed that out about 1.5 years after I left.
Regarding the position you're looking at, it doesn't seem terrible, maybe. 2-10pm=40 hours. Most adult, and other, hakwons base the salaries on a 30-hour workweek, so you should think about that. If they give you an hour for dinner and maybe another for prep each day, then that's the 30. If they actually expect you to teach 8 straight, it's a rip-off for only 2.3. It's actually a rip-off for 2.6 if they make you the "head teacher", too. You MAY also have to deal with some less-than-happy co-workers/underlings wondering why you were given the head teacher position when they've been slaving away there for a couple of years already.
And, with the no syllabus thing, you COULD look at that as a very good thing...if you know what you're doing. If they do have students who are begiiners to advanced though, you're gonna have to get yourself a few texts for the lower-intermediates, and then download and print your own stuff for the upper-intermediate to higher levels. I like that kind of set-up as I don't mind planning the curriculum myself. Others hate it. |
Good points.
O.P...perhaps you should consider a cushy after-school gig...paying at least 2.4-2.5? |
He wants to teach adults and the job isn't with the BC. Their senior teacher salary scales are fixed and non-negotiable. They start at around 3.5 mil with a 1 mil housing allowance for 6 contact hours |
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trueblue
Joined: 15 Jun 2014
Location: In between the lines
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 3:28 am Post subject: |
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| edwardcatflap wrote: |
| trueblue wrote: |
| denverdeath wrote: |
I worked at an adult place for three years before, two of which I was the head teacher. I was getting 300,000 extra monthly for that. Heard the cheapies fazed that out about 1.5 years after I left.
Regarding the position you're looking at, it doesn't seem terrible, maybe. 2-10pm=40 hours. Most adult, and other, hakwons base the salaries on a 30-hour workweek, so you should think about that. If they give you an hour for dinner and maybe another for prep each day, then that's the 30. If they actually expect you to teach 8 straight, it's a rip-off for only 2.3. It's actually a rip-off for 2.6 if they make you the "head teacher", too. You MAY also have to deal with some less-than-happy co-workers/underlings wondering why you were given the head teacher position when they've been slaving away there for a couple of years already.
And, with the no syllabus thing, you COULD look at that as a very good thing...if you know what you're doing. If they do have students who are begiiners to advanced though, you're gonna have to get yourself a few texts for the lower-intermediates, and then download and print your own stuff for the upper-intermediate to higher levels. I like that kind of set-up as I don't mind planning the curriculum myself. Others hate it. |
Good points.
O.P...perhaps you should consider a cushy after-school gig...paying at least 2.4-2.5? |
He wants to teach adults and the job isn't with the BC. Their senior teacher salary scales are fixed and non-negotiable. They start at around 3.5 mil with a 1 mil housing allowance for 6 contact hours |
That is NOT with the BC? Hmmmm....YBM, BCI?
3.5 is not bad for that position but do they still exist...especially for 6 contact hours?
eeeshhh...perhaps he should just show up and pound the pavement? |
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greyhound
Joined: 10 Jun 2016
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 3:31 am Post subject: |
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| I think I mentioned I applied for some BC jobs including one in Korea and I got a rejection email after a few weeks. The recruitment is based in Singapore I think. Well, I would accept 3m for a head teacher's position as there would be a lot of planning to do to design curriculum for the other teachers. I only have a CELTA (well a TEFLA as it used to be called) and I don't have a DELTA which is where you learn about curriculum design. I do however have a PGCE so it comes in handy for lesson planning. What did the chap here who was a head teacher on 2.6m won have to do for his job then? |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 3:39 am Post subject: |
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| greyhound wrote: |
| I think I mentioned I applied for some BC jobs including one in Korea and I got a rejection email after a few weeks. The recruitment is based in Singapore I think. Well, I would accept 3m for a head teacher's position as there would be a lot of planning to do to design curriculum for the other teachers. I only have a CELTA (well a TEFLA as it used to be called) and I don't have a DELTA which is where you learn about curriculum design. I do however have a PGCE so it comes in handy for lesson planning. What did the chap here who was a head teacher on 2.6m won have to do for his job then? |
I had to help our manager out with fair "enough" scheduling, and break up fights occasionally. I also had to throw month-end parties for the employees, which, of course, were on the company's dime. My mug was on our brochures. I did curriculum development, but then I had to follow the head office's (crap) stuff. That's about it. Guess I can see why they fazed it out. I was making more like 3.2 as I was teaching special writing classes along with others which were paid a higher hourly wage. That 3.2 was more like 2.8 after deductions. |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 3:45 am Post subject: |
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| denverdeath wrote: |
| greyhound wrote: |
| I think I mentioned I applied for some BC jobs including one in Korea and I got a rejection email after a few weeks. The recruitment is based in Singapore I think. Well, I would accept 3m for a head teacher's position as there would be a lot of planning to do to design curriculum for the other teachers. I only have a CELTA (well a TEFLA as it used to be called) and I don't have a DELTA which is where you learn about curriculum design. I do however have a PGCE so it comes in handy for lesson planning. What did the chap here who was a head teacher on 2.6m won have to do for his job then? |
I had to help our manager out with fair "enough" scheduling, and break up fights occasionally. I also had to throw month-end parties for the employees, which, of course, were on the company's dime. My mug was on our brochures. I did curriculum development, but then I had to follow the head office's (crap) stuff. That's about it. Guess I can see why they fazed it out. I was making more like 3.2 as I was teaching special writing classes along with others which were paid a higher hourly wage. That 3.2 was more like 2.8 after deductions. |
REALLY interesting thing about that place is that their starting salary currently is the same as 2002!!!! |
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greyhound
Joined: 10 Jun 2016
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 3:51 am Post subject: |
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| 3.2 gross isn't bad pay. 2.8 net is ok too I guess. It's £1681 so almost 20k per annum net. I don't know what I would do for curriculum design. I only know music and standard EFL teaching really. I think it's cos of my age they want me to be head. How do you go about doing curriculum design then? Usually course books are designed for each level but without a course book, what do you use? Did you have a particular book? Or did you use other materials? I can design lessons for music and I think I could design lessons for EFL but it would be a lot of work. |
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greyhound
Joined: 10 Jun 2016
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 4:07 am Post subject: |
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| about breaking up fights, when I was in Japan 20 years ago there was a "mental" American teacher who picked fights with management for no reasons whatsoever. Our side of the classroom all got laid off after a few months cos of him. I hear there are a lot of young teachers in Korea so maybe this is why you had fights to contend with. The partying isn't a bother to me if it's on the company's dime although I don't get drunk nowadays. I just have a pint on a Sunday when I go down the pub for roast beef dinner. Can you even get roast beef in Korea lol? |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 6:49 am Post subject: |
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| You can forget about teaching at the real International Schools unless you have 5 years of experience teaching in your own home country. Korea is a great place to be, but you can't use your experience in Korea for the good International Schools. Of course there are plenty of fakies all over Asia, those schools have more relaxed standards and let all types of students in. I don't think you have fakies in Korea, Taiwan or Japan. I would teach 5 years at home and then try the Korean International Schools. It sounds like you have the job already, so enjoy your stay in Korea. Your Korea teaching job very well might make you want to come back for their International Schools as well. |
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greyhound
Joined: 10 Jun 2016
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 7:55 am Post subject: |
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| What's a fakie? I have a lot more than 5 years school teaching experience in my home country. I am content with this adult hagwon at the moment at 2.3m won. If I got a job at a Korean IS, I would want DOUBLE that cos it's an international school. Being there on the doorstep might help getting it too. I must say I don't have a clue what Korean music is about. Traditional music that is not pop. I know a little about Japanese whatsitcalled, Kodo or something like that. Drumming. I've seen some performances of those. Does anybody do private tuition then or don't you dare risk it? |
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greyhound
Joined: 10 Jun 2016
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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Here's an update. I was called by an 'international' school in the UAE this evening and they want to offer me a job on a 2 year contract at 11000AED per month (£2100). So now I don't know whether to stay with this contract in Korea or take the job in the UAe which works out about £700 per month more. I have the possibility of earning more in korea if they make me the head teacher, say 3m won. so I don't know what to do. I''ve told the school in UAE that I'm waiting for my visa and if I don't get one, I can take their job. And I asked them if they can wait a week until I know.
Shall I ask the school in korea to offer me the head position now with more salary? I don't want to upset them. |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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| greyhound wrote: |
| 3.2 gross isn't bad pay. 2.8 net is ok too I guess. It's £1681 so almost 20k per annum net. I don't know what I would do for curriculum design. I only know music and standard EFL teaching really. I think it's cos of my age they want me to be head. How do you go about doing curriculum design then? Usually course books are designed for each level but without a course book, what do you use? Did you have a particular book? Or did you use other materials? I can design lessons for music and I think I could design lessons for EFL but it would be a lot of work. |
I think Smart Choice is a pretty good series. I wouldn't use just that though. There are tons of resources on the internet. Breakingnewsenglish and islcollective just to mention two. You could certainly use music once a week or a couple of times a month - I'm sure that would be quite popular.
Last edited by denverdeath on Thu Jun 16, 2016 5:39 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| greyhound wrote: |
Here's an update. I was called by an 'international' school in the UAE this evening and they want to offer me a job on a 2 year contract at 11000AED per month (£2100). So now I don't know whether to stay with this contract in Korea or take the job in the UAe which works out about £700 per month more. I have the possibility of earning more in korea if they make me the head teacher, say 3m won. so I don't know what to do. I''ve told the school in UAE that I'm waiting for my visa and if I don't get one, I can take their job. And I asked them if they can wait a week until I know.
Shall I ask the school in korea to offer me the head position now with more salary? I don't want to upset them. |
It all depends on you. I don't know much about the UAE, but if you are considering doing EFL again, you have to ask yourself why? Is it only for the money? If so, I'd go for the UAE. Make certain you have the position before you pull the plug on the other one. Just apologize stating your reasons why you chose the UAE position. There's nothing the Korean place can do even if your visa issuance number is already in existence. You may have to wait a year before teaching in Korea, but you're going to be teaching for a year in the UAE anyway, right?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Korea |
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greyhound
Joined: 10 Jun 2016
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| Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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Well in the UAE it will be teaching kids 11-15. In Korea, it's teaching adults which is what I want really. Plus the UAE housing could be miles from town so you'd be stuck at your villa each evening. I have the possibility of earning more money in Korea. I don't know when they would offer it to me though. I can fly from Daegu (or is it Busan I forget) with Airasia to a lot of destinations during the holidays.  Plus 11000AED isn;t a lot for the UAE really. It should be at least 15000 there. I am going to wait for the korean visa and if I get one, I will go to Korea I think. All you can do in UAE is drink in a hotel bar really.  |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 3:12 am Post subject: |
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| greyhound wrote: |
| Well in the UAE it will be teaching kids 11-15. In Korea, it's teaching adults which is what I want really. Plus the UAE housing could be miles from town so you'd be stuck at your villa each evening. I have the possibility of earning more money in Korea. I don't know when they would offer it to me though. I can fly from Daegu (or is it Busan I forget) with Airasia to a lot of destinations during the holidays. Plus 11000AED isn;t a lot for the UAE really. It should be at least 15000 there. I am going to wait for the korean visa and if I get one, I will go to Korea I think. All you can do in UAE is drink in a hotel bar really. |
11-15 year old UAE kids may actually have a higher mental age than many Korean adults; but, ... I digress. Maybe. 
Anyway, I hear you. You may have to make your own roast beef here, but you can enjoy a beer on just about any street corner - that could be problematic though, so be careful.
Daegu and Busan are both fairly large cities and pretty livable. Busan's bigger with much better options for international air travel, but Daegu can get you where you want to go, too. AirAsia may be ok, but you can also look into rates from Korean Air. Asiana Airlines, Air Busan, and others.
The only thing I question about your decision is the money. I don't think the place will offer you 3.0. The base right now is 2.3. I don't think they'd offer you much more than 2.6 contractually with a head teacher position. I hope I'm wrong. Then again, most places are offering 2.1-2.3 as standard these days, so 2.3 isn't SO bad. You should ask if you're expected to teach 6, 7, or 8 classes daily though. |
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