Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Agasaya]

So I am not sure what anybody else can tell me about this situation, it might just be a situation where I need to vent and would LOVE input from others.

I enjoy my current job although I feel that I am very overworked. That is likely the case on most hagwons though. I graduated from university last year, took my TESOL and came to Korea last spring.
Currently, I am being paid 2.0million a month, teach up to 40, 40 min classes a week, and my biggest class is 12 students. I don't 'just' teach English. Half the time, the school focuses on American school subjects, Science, Creative Writing, Social Studies, etc. I really enjoy that part and I don't think that I would enjoy teaching 'just' English all day every day. I get a computer with internet in my classroom with a big screen TV. I have the freedom to use National Geographic Videos in my lessons and basically do whatever I want as long as I follow the lesson plan to a point.

So here is my problem. I do feel that I work a lot, and I do tend to put far more effort into my work and teaching than what is expected of me. I am sort of a perfectionist and that is a reason why my school really likes me as a teacher. They have offered to renew my contract. I would be getting paid 2.5 million and I would extend my contract for another year and 2 months.

So here is my problem: I need a little 'break' from Korea because of some things going on with my family at home. I have very old grandparents, and one of them doesn't look like she will make it another year. Not only that, but I have been sick almost the entire year, and after a series of tests, the doctors have concluded that it is pollution.

I am really not sure what I should do. I don't know if I should ask for the month of August off (intensive), and it might be possible to get the month off because the boss has made exceptions before. Or, I could say no, go home, and spend some time at home and try and get a public school position that starts in Sept. However, I think it would be a LOT easier to find a GOOD school while actually living here in Korea.

I am honestly just nervous. I don't know if I should stay at my current school because I am comfortable, and I don't have enough experience to know if I can get a better job. My apartment is great and the students are absolutely amazing.
On to pof that, I get 4 weeks vacation off in a hagwon seems like a great deal. Unfortunately, I get ZERO national holidays. (although I do like having 4 'weeks' off. One week every few months)

Am I being too picky or stubborn to move? Do you think I could find a better deal somewhere else? I will admit, the money isn't all that important to me. I would prefer to be paid less at a great job, then being paid more at a job I don't love. I do know that I need to go home, and I just can't decide what to do about it.

Is asking for the month worth it? Or do you think I could find another school is a better option? Also, I have had bad experiences with recruiters in the past. Would that be a good way to try and find out what my options could be for the next year?


I know this is sort of a ramble, but if you could read through that wall of text and give me advice, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!

[PGF]

First, you are teaching too many classes, even for a hagwon. And, your pay is crap.

Second, you can find a good hagwon that will give you the freedom to teach the way you are teaching now with a LOT less hours.

While you are in Korea, go job hunting. DO NOT go through a recruiter unless you absolutely have to. You've been here long enough that you should have a small network built of FTs and KTs and just normal koreans who can recommend a place. Take a month to find a place that seems normal and check it out. if the owner gels with you, sign.

[Agasaya]

See, I don't actually teach 40 classes a week. It is in my contract that I 'could' work 40 hours a week. I currently have around 36.

The problem is, where do I find these job opportunities? I found my current job on Dave's ESL cafe and I know about seriousteachers, but they hand out far too much personal information that I am comfortable with 'anybody' looking through.

I am sorry if I sound inexperienced, but I really am. I just hope I am not being totally naive. I honestly think that they need another teacher (at least) at my current school. I don't actually mind working hard, because it would probably bother me if I didn't. The only time that it has stressed me out in the past is when I don't even have enough time to plan for my lesson, or I don't have enough time to get any work done at school, and am spending a ton of time on my computer at home. During intensive, I would stay at the school for an extra 2 hours a day, unpaid, making sure my lessons were spot on.

And I know that 2.0 is crap. I didn't have any experience and it sounded like a 'good' and secure school when I originally found the job. I was willing to take a cut in pay and make sure I was at a good school, rather than having a bad experience and losing money in the long run.

[PGF]

[Agasaya]

Ok thanks. I really appreciate your advice =)
I don't know if I was clear, but the max on my contract is 40 classes (40 mins per class) a week. But I think you made your point that it is a lot of work.
Actually, something that sort of stressed me out recently at my job is they set me up with a new class that is Zero Beginner English. They don't even know the word for desk/chair... they don't even know the days of the week.

But again, thanks a ton for all of the great advice. I will look up that website when I get some time tomorrow to look through it, and I might take you up on a PM if I am having problems.

[PGF]

[kentucker4]

I teach 50 hours a week and am getting 2.2 mil won. Guess I am also getting screwed. No time for planning.

[mistermasan]

talk to your boss. tell him you arethinking of re-upping. see what he puts out there. be gentle but firm.

if they throw out 2.0 walk away.

the new teacher at my school is toget 2.5 with 0 experience.

how to find a better job? get tothe local gathering spot and talk story.

[Easter Clark]

OP--FWIW, if I were in your position, I'd look at some public schools right now and plan on taking the summer off to go home to visit your folks. Family won't be around forever, and you will regret not having spent more time with them when they are gone. Trust me.

I wouldn't re-sign at your current job--too many teaching hours and not enough compensation. Of course they love you--they will have a hard time finding someone to replace you that will do so much for so little for so long.

[dethe]

22 40 min hours a week at public school. Anything over that is overtime. Can't beat it. Plus evenings off.

[dzeisons]

I reckon you should take some time off for starters. It sounds like you need time to detox and de-stress. You're still young; you shouldn't be getting sick all the time. Go home, see your rellies and get healthy again- if you keep working you'll definitely get really sick and burn out.

If the hagwon gave a fig about you/ teaching they wouldn't make you work 36* 40 mins a week/ no public holidays so I doubt that they are a quality hagwon. The salary is abysmal as well. That said, you could ask for a raise, more time off and see what they come up with. It sounds like you'd be a good candidate for a public school and you wouldn't have to be in country to get those jobs.

[PGF]

[Agasaya]

To add to this:

Thanks everyone for the great advice.

Apart from WorkandPlay, would anybody recommend a way to find good Public School jobs?

Is there a particular time that they start hiring? I know that I would start late August or beginning of Sept, but if I were to go back to Canada, would I have a problem being hired since they couldn't meet me before hand?

Also, I just found out from an old teacher that my boss didn't pay her taxes. He deducted the money but apparnetly just took the money.

What is the documentation that I would ask for the make sure that they paid my taxes?

[cbclark4]

Find your local public school Education Office.
Find the EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE coordinator, give them your resume C/V directly let them know when you will be available, keep in touch.

Target Hagwan that you are interested in find the director give them your resume C/V directly let them know when you will be available, keep in touch.

Target a specialty foriegn language school you are interested in give them your resume C/V directly let them know when you will be available, keep in touch.

Taget a University you are interested in give them your resume C/V directly let them know when you will be available, keep in touch.

Take some time to go home.

etc.

[Easter Clark]