Korean Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

I've never taught in Korea, but have five years experience (CHina 1.5 and Peru 3.5) a BA, and an MA in March. Have taught in two unis, a HS, a langauge school and a kindergarten.

Is this a decent offer? Anything else I should ask for? A question about spousal visas, I can apply for one for my husband if I get an E2 visa, correct? They want me to start in March. Would school start the first week?

Full Time ESL position by the Korean Ministry of Education
Chungbuk, Jeonbuk and Jeonnam province
Elementary / Middle School Students
Successful applicants will conduct English conversation classes to Korean students and training session for teachers
2.5 mil. KRW
Overtime Payment 15000~20000 KWN per Hour
9 am to 5 pm
22 hours / week
Single Furnished Housing
14 Days Paid Vacations
300,000 KWN settlement pay upon teachers' arrival
Round trip airfare One way reimbursed upon teachers' arrival and
the other will be paid when you complete your contract)
100% severance pay(If you resign the contract for another year)
14 working days paid vacation a year + all Korean national holidays
50% medical insurance, 50% national pension plan supported

[MarionG]

Sounds fairly good, with one exception...the 100%...if you re-sign for another year. Korean law says you get the bonus, and nothing about re-signing. Delete the "if" part from the contract.

[xtchr]

Are you going to be in just the one school?
Those provinces are quite rural and foreign teachers can sometimes be farmed out to more than one school - I went to 38 (14 middle schools and 24 elementary) on a rotational basis each semester!
You might like it - my predecessor apparently did because I never heard the end of how fab he was - but I didn't.

[johninmaine]

...you're taking this offer, Naturegirl??

[Dome Vans]

Seems to be the standard EPIK contract that. Not too much you could change with that. You will always get your 100% severence at the end of the contract, so don't see why there's an 'if' in there.

Will be rural. Some people like that, some people don't, it's down to the person really.

I'm teaching in four schools. 2 middle 2 elementary and I'm out in the sticks. The 'city' has 30 000 thousand people which I live in, but I teach out of the city in the countryside in a village with 2000 people and another with 500 people. So tiny tiny tiny. But really love it.

Love to visit seoul but it just seems too damn big sometimes. The way I see it. If I lived in seoul it'd be too much for me and I'd have to hack it everyday. Whereas I live in the country and can choose to go to seoul whenever. It's not so hectic and in your face as seoul. And I get to relax in the countryside. That was the choice I made and am very happy with it.

[mspencer1983]

the pay seems low considering your extensive experience and qualifications. i make 2.4 and have only a BA and 1 year experience.

[Dome Vans]

Is it experience that you can prove that is the stumbling block here. If you have references then is that proof? Do they need to be from what Korea would class as a 'proper school'?

BA and MA is easy to prove because of the certs. Do they only count Korean teaching experience in being able to move up pay levels?

[ryouga013]

no teaching experience, a BA and a certicate, never been to Korea or even thought about it, and my contract has me at 2.2, but less vacation time. Make sure your place will be paying the medical, I am fighting my place of employment because they didn't sign me up for the real medical, but some scam.

If it is a hagwon, 95%+ of the hagwons you hear about are because they have tried to lowball or cheat someone. Don't let them. Also, get your contract in blood at least a month before you step foot into the country. make sure you have a copy of the contract you signed.

Contract looks basic, but nice. Any "favors" or requests you have, make sure it's in the contract if you want to have it done.