Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tonyvu]

2,000,000 won sound about right?

[joshuahirtle27]

I was offered 2.2 and 2.1... I"m making 2.1 before deductions. Your first year you should be making 2.0 without any trouble.

[losing_touch]

I will be making 2.3 starting out. Plus, there are extra opportunities for more. I would not accept anything less than 2.3.

[esetters21]

Most hagwons start at around 2.0-2.3 for a first time teacher. There are an abundance of these jobs. You can look around and if you have time, be patient before making a decision. Working hours, schedules, and age group all fit into the equation of pay. Try to do some research and make a decision that you are comfortable with. I wouldn't get on a high horse like some posters (especially noobs that have no experience in Korea) and not except less than this or that.

[losing_touch]

[esetters21]

[losing_touch]

[Otherside]

[mmarshalynne]

I consider myself a good negotiator. I told my recruiter I was looking for 2.4 and received one offer for 2.4. As to my qualifications, I have a graduate degree and experience teaching Business & Technical Writing at a college in the United States.

I ended up taking a position where I receive 2.2 for the first six months and 2.3 for the last six months. I received 20 days of vacation instead of fifteen. I teach 28 hours per week instead of 30. My contract does not require that I am at the school more than 30 hours per week total including prep time. I made changes to the contract and asked that they be accepted. Not only did they accept the changes, but they also stated that the changes were improvements to the contract. I don't believe that they necessarily thought I was improving their contracts; but I thought it was important that they were very gracious about everything I requested. I am hoping that this is a sign of how cooperative they will be in the future.

They offered me 2.3 and indicated that they would pay me 2.3 for the entire year, but would appreciate if I would start out at 2.2 for the first six months. They indicated that this is what their current teacher is making. I agreed because 1) $100 per month isn't a great deal; and 2) I wanted to show my appreciation as my requested changes were readily accepted. When I agreed to the reduction, the Director appeared very grateful and indicated that he would remember this when in the future I made any requests. He also told me that any teaching aides that I would desire would be purchased for me promptly.

In my opinion, when you have to work with someone on a daily basis, it�s good for everyone to walk away from the negotiating table feeling good. I suppose only after I work there for a while will I know how wise or unwise I have been.

[nomad-ish]

[PRagic]

mmarshalynne, it would be great if you could wrap up your year and get out of hakwons for good. With your qualifications and degrees, you should be able to land a university job with less contact hours and at least tripple the vacation.

Good luck to you.

[AussieGav]

[mmarshalynne]

PRagic wrote, "mmarshalynne, it would be great if you could wrap up your year and get out of hakwons for good. With your qualifications and degrees, you should be able to land a university job with less contact hours and at least tripple the vacation."

Thanks. I assume that I am probably not going into the best situation, but that I can survive almost anything for a year. I am hoping during that year that I can find a job that I will enjoy.

[GerryTulip]

28 hours per week standard, add on another 10 hours per week during intensives. You are looking at a 38 hour week for two months of the year.

These hours are by no means long compared to other jobs but in a hagwon environment with no breaks this will destroy your soul. Good luck and congratulations in advance if you last the year!

[marlow]