Korean Job Discussion Forums

[missty]

Hi there. I've been offered a job in the centre of Seoul. The pay is great, well above average, and all was going well. Until I saw the timetable. I've worked in Hong Kong from nine in the morning to six thirty in the evening so I know I can work long hours. This is the same, but there is no break at all. I get two ten minute breaks during the day and a lunch break of course, with worrying words next to it saying 'gym dance drama'. So I am guessing thats not a lunch break then.

I know Hagwons aren't as good as other schools, but its what I am used to and I would prefer to go to one. Still, is this normal?? If it is then fair enough, I can work long hours so I know it would be doable. But still, when would I get to plan lessons during that time? It all seems a bit fishy to me...

[RufusW]

So, how much is the pay?

[missty]

thanks for the quick reply! just done the maths and this is roughly about 42.5 hours a week. Still haven't made a decision. I guess I'll have to think about whether or not I want to work for that long or not...

And the pay is 2.2. They did offer 2.5 if i could get to korea by the 25th august, but with my visa thats going to be impossible.

[RufusW]

Okay, someone who's actually worked in Korea might want to answer this one - but, isn't 2.2 like standard pay not 'well above average'?

[lorenchristopher]

Uhmm, I work 19 hours a week at my hagwon. And by "work" I mean actually teaching, I don't have to be there if I'm not teaching.

After working for this school I will never work more than 25 hours/week in Korea, it's too nice to have all that time off each day.

[missty]

[wylies99]

19 is far from normal in a hagwon. It must be a part time job.

BTW-There's a big difference between teaching hours and work hours. You may only teach for 30 hours a week, on the average, but hagwons have a way of piling extra work on you that comes with no pay.

[icicle]

2.2 is a relatively normal salary in Hagwon in Seoul - Not a high salary. Many jobs offer around that. It would be a common starting salary - I would not have accepted a job for less than that. I know earlier in the year when I was looking for jobs that most of the jobs were offering aroud that amount. I accepted one for 2.3 (Kindergarten/elementary hagwon).

As for the work hours - How many actual teaching hours are there in the contract - If you would actually be required to teach for the whole time you are at work - so the 42.5 hours - then you should be being paid a lot more than 2.2 (ie there should be at least some overtime involved).

My contract has up to 30 hours teaching in the week (with overtime for over that). While I know that some people would say that it is a lot for the pay - but I personally would rather be teaching than sitting around for hours with nothing much to do. And my actual teaching hours until the start of our Summer school have been less than the 30 hours though my contract has working hours of 9.30-6/6.30 depending on the day. What that means is that I usually have enough "free" time at school to do my lesson preparation - and don't have trouble in getting time to do things like go to the bank during the day.

If your timetable is teaching that many hours with just a few short breaks it will be very draining on you. And it is just possible that you won't get the short breaks free - I know that in my normal timetable I have kindergarten in the morning and there are a couple of short breaks (5 mins) during that time - but because the students I have the most are only in western age 4 years old (with a couple of 3 year olds) they still really need to be watched during their break time.

My summer school timetable is approaching 30 teaching hours and I don't know how anyone could teach much more than that if they are doing any preparation before the lesson.

[M-su]

I'm

[sheba]

My last job was 2.4, teaching 26 50min classes, and actually at the school a total of 30 hrs.

[missty]

In answer to the questions, I was given a timetable of what the other teachers are currently teaching and the 42.5 hours are actual teaching hours. I would have to plan on top of that. Plus the 'lunch break' seems to involve supervising some kind of extra curricular course...

Still, the hagwon pulled the job offer and have given it to an american instead. I may have an offer through the GEPIK scheme anyway. The benefits seem much more appealing.

Thanks for all the replies though

[Zaria32]

If 42.5 is actual teaching hours (this is very high for a hogwon. I'd say 30 hours per week is average) you will probably be at the school for 55-60 hours per week.

For 2.2? That's really low for that many hours. It's probably an average
starting salary for an inexperienced teacher, but 2.3 or 2.4, for less
hours, is very doable. 2.5 or 2.6 is possible.

Also, I don't think it's accurate to say that hogwons "aren't as good" as other schools. Some in each category are excellent, and some in each
category are absolutely awful.

[lorenchristopher]

[OBwannabe]

Being in a hagwon for 8-9hrs a day is pretty standard. But to not have adequate breaks is just ridiculous. To me it sounds like your school is taking advantage of it's teacher's, or are you the only foreigner?

2.2/mth is fairly standard. Even though the cost of living is rising, the salaries are not. I know my hagwon offers 2.1 for 1st year teachers.

There are so many schools out there. I'd keep looking if I were you. Search until you find what you want. I was very picky in the beginning and am now at my school for a 3rd year. I'm there anywhere from 5-7 hrs/day. Depending on the day and time of year. And the break time is more than adequate. Couldn't be happier. Dont' wanna leave for years
So I guess what I'm saying is....be picky.

[Fresh Prince]

42.5 hours a week for 2.2 comes about to be about 13000 per hour. It might be worth it to spend a lot of time doing research on what types of benefits and what kind of pay to expect for the area that you want to work in.