Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chachee99]

Which of these jobs is the better offer?

Private Elementary School in downtown Seoul ( Note: this is a school not a hogwan)

2.6 million won a month including housing allowance (key money provided)
Teaching hours: 8:30 -4:30
28 - (40 minute) classes a week
8 weeks paid holidays



Public School in Gwangmyoung City (5 minutes outside Seoul)

2.3 million won per month OT available at 20,000 won per class
Teaching hours 9:00 - 5:00
22 (40 minute) classes a week
6 weeks paid holidays
paid accommodations (2 bedroom apartment )

[Thunndarr]

I find the students have a much better level of English on average in private schools. Also, in my experience, class sizes (for English) are generally smaller in private schools. And finally, I'm not a big fan of the public school textbooks. They're very basic so half the students are bored out of their minds the whole class.

[chachee99]

Yes I know what you mean. I've worked at a private school in Seoul for two years. The classes are smaller, the kids English in a private school is better. I've never worked at a public school, but I have seen the text book. Yeesh horrible. However, a buddy of mine just set me up with this private school who agreed to hire me.

However, I already signed the contract with the public school and arranged the accommodations. However, I haven't went to immigration yet to transfer the visa.

One thing that bothers me about the private school is finding my own accommodations. I have no idea how much rent is on a decent apartment in Seoul. I am guessing minimum 500,000 a month. However, last week I went apartment shopping with the teacher from the public school together and we found a nice place, which is inside Seoul. So I already know I will be happy with the accommodations provided to me.

So here is the situation

Private school
Pros

Newer school
Smaller classes
Better textbooks
In downtown Seoul

Cons

More hours
Less pay due to housing allowance included
Must find my own accommodations, (I've never done that on my own before)
Two weeks longer paid vacation

Public School

Pros

Few working hours
Higher pay
Good accommodations provided
Korean teachers seem to treat me good so far

Cons

Large classes
Terrible text book
Older School
Lower Level of English for the kids
Older School

[bassexpander]

What age group is the 2nd school?

High Schools can sometimes offer more hidden vacation, for example.

I have always heard that private elementary schools are better than public (as far as money), but above elementary, the public ones tend to be better.

[chachee99]

The age for the public school is grade 3 to 6

The private school is grade 1 - 6

[kiwiliz]

[quote="chachee99However, I already signed the contract with the public school and arranged the accommodations. However, I haven't went to immigration yet to transfer the visa.

[/quote]

Eeesh

[chachee99]

Yes I know it looks bad on my part, but I was just offered this second position yesterday. Initially I was looking for a private school, but couldn't find one so I signed with the public school. I've never worked at a public school before, so I don't know what to expect. I have worked for a private elementary school for two years and have an idea what the school will be expecting.

[elliemk]

The school has gone to all that trouble to hire you and now you want to change jobs after signing the contract? This type of behavior is exactly what gives us a bad name here in Korea. Why don't you just honor your obligation and change jobs next year? You save face and so do they. Both jobs are decent, IMHO. Don't do this school wrong by changing now.

[wylies99]

[nomad-ish]

have you stopped in at the private elementary school to check it out yet? how was it? i would definitely go by and see it before you sign.
i would also ask if there's someone on staff there that wouldn't mind helping me (if i accepted) to find a place (even if you can speak korean well, landladies may be more agreeable around a korean teacher).

overall, the private school would be more classes, however i think (if you are a professional teacher) you would find it more rewarding. in public schools, with such large class sizes that you only see once a week (sometimes once every 2 weeks!) you won't really see much improvement in your students and that can be quite tough. you may also have more responsibilities in a private school as well (parent nights, marking, etc.)

by the way, wasn't Gwangmyoung City mentioned in another thread where they were getting their teachers to work 2-3 Sundays a year?

[bassexpander]