Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Major Kong]

Honestly, the cash is not worth our time. The "Villa" does have good water pressure though. I still have an inquiry, " Cash or sharing knowledge?", just inquisitive.

[xingyiman]

[Kikomom]

I haven't heard of any other awesome employment opportunities like this. Even in the medical field, you still have to pay to train.

I'd say teacher's are there for the knowledge. Knowledge they can impart, and knowledge they can gain. It's win-win all the way around.

[tob55]

Here are the facts, I have the knowledge and can teach. Been doing this for more than 29 years and still get excited about sharing new information with students. As for the cash part, I save way more here than I ever thought about saving in the USA, and I too lived in the midwest for the better part of my adult life before deciding to come to Korea.

BTW, I am not one of the "losers" most people often cite as the only ones who come here to get a job. I had advanced degrees in the States and was working at several colleges and universities before I decided to come. My last year in the States I pulled down $73,000 as a university professor and just got tired of chasing my tail trying to make ends meet financially,

Here I can save money hand over fist and don't have to try that hard. My wife who is Korean does an excellent job of managing our finances, and I gladly give her that control, knowing that she is the reason why we have made such good investment choices here. Saved a bundle last year, probably going to match or exceed it this year, and guess what, I really like my teaching job.

I actually teach rather than just being a voice box for the KT. We have a cooperative agreement between my co-teacher and I: She teaches 2 days each week and I assist; I teach 2 days each week and she assists. More shared responsibilities that make my life very good as an instructor here. I came here as an experienced teacher, so I didn't have to struggle with the normal nervousness and hassles some newbies have to go through. I do believe the level of instructors follows the pendulum from good to bad to good, but it is up to you to do a good job, and nothing can replace experience.

So to answer the OPs original question: "Cash or sharing knowledge?" I am here for both and doing quite a good job of both.

[xingyiman]

[WoBW]

[WoBW]

Oops. I meant "I work fewer hours."

Just thought I'd get that in before the grammar Nazis pounce.

[tob55]

Not criticizing you xingyiman, I understand where you are coming from, and I respect you for being honest enough to say it. Too many people get run over and don't even stop to think about it. I know that feeling all too well from personal experiences in the States. That didn't lead me to decide on coming to Korea, it was really much more simple than that.

On day I was sitting at my computer thinking, I am older now and find the whole "kiss azz to get a job" thing getting too hard to deal with. So I thought, I am going to make online applications to 3 - 4 places since I was noticing a lot of "Come and Teach in..." advertisements. So, I sent off e-applications to El Salvador, Ecuador, Korea, and Brazil. I said the first company that contacts me will be the place I go, and I heard from Korea first. In fact, none of the other places ever bothered to reply to my e-application. So it was just that simple.

A new place, an opportunity to do somethings I had never done in terms of travel around the world, and opening my eyes to entirely different culture and lifestyle. No life shaking revelations to come and do a humanitarian work to save the world in so many words. I just needed and wanted change in my life. I must say, I have not regretted one minute of my time here in Korea. Sure it sucks in some ways, but I tell you, my life and lifestyle here is much better than anything I have experienced over the past 20 years, and I didn't have it bad in the States.

[Cheonmunka]

From what I have seen most people here are not teachers at all. They are kids with disparate university degrees who think employment in Korea will be an interesting way to travel while earning good money.

You are a teacher, and can carry that title, once you have completed teacher training in your own country, gained professional development within the career, and/or have much experience with methodology gained while on the job.

Teachers? No. Native speakers? Yes.

원어민 is not the same as 선생님.

[sojourner1]

[KirbyMagnus]

[Summer Wine]

[Stormy]

Nah I came over for the mud wrestling but apparently I was deceived.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I enjoy teaching and I find it very rewarding. The money and numerous opportunities to take holidays are nice, as well. Apart from the fact that I need to work somewhere I can't think of any other answer as to why I'm here. I'm certainly not here for the food!

[billybrobby]