Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cj1976]

This is something I've heard through word of mouth. These companies that set up shop in a public school and operate what is basically a hagwon, teaching kids after their normal school hours finish.
So, does anyone know if they are legal or not?

[blonde researcher]

All hagwon premises must be assessed and registered by the education office before the owner/manager/ director can employ a foreign teacher. Therefore - As long as you are teaching on a site such as a public school premises it is reasonably obvious that the PS job site will be legal.
The only other thing then you have to think about is the status of your visa to be teaching in the program, who sponsors your visa, what site is registered on your ARC, and if you have another E2 job - has your employer given permission for you to be working a second job?

[cerulean808]

No they are not legal.

Public Schools are suppose to run their own after school programs. No outside private operation allowed.

If you decide to get involved, you will be required to set up a bank account in your name and hand over the bank book, cash card and pin number to your boss. He/she will launder the money from student fees and Education Department FT salary ( yes, that's YOUR salary from your REAL EMPLOYER ) through this account. This way the private operator can fly below the Education Dept. radar.

You see, you will have been lead to believe that the 'contract' you signed with the illegal private operator is the basis for your E2 visa sponsorship. In fact you are sponsored by the public school, THEY ARE YOUR EMPLOYER. The boss got you to sign some Korean only form, saying it was a small administration issue, when in fact it is the real contract between you and the public school. Or better yet he just forged your signature on the real contract, after all he already has an excellent example of your signature to work from, and it's this contract and employer details which Immigration will have on file for your E2 visa.

So there is all that money flowing through an account with your name on it, the boss doing what he wants with it, being sure to pay your agreed to dues on time, to keep you sweet. What about the TAX?

STAY AWAY from these private operated After School Programs, unless you want a real Korean cultural experience of FINANCIAL FRAUD.

[yingwenlaoshi]

They're fkd.

[wylies99]

[pkang0202]

My old public school had one of these things. I taught during the day, this other guy taught in the afternoons for the afterschool.

He had to sign 2 contracts, one with the school, and one with his "agency".

Well, even though he was the after school teacher, the school made him teach the normal 3rd/4th grade classes, without extra pay.

It was a huge mess with 2 contracts.

[blackjack]

The problem is the law. Schools are not allowed to contract out after school programmes (except for Seoul which has an exception) and most schools can't be bothered setting up a decent after school programme.

This law is expected to be changed at the begining of the new year. I bet bext year you will see a massive increase in the number of third party after school programmes. In my view they are better than a public school job (if you do your home work), they pay better, less hours, smaller classes good text books and the kids are more focused. You have to do your homework.

[CPT]

I've heard some are bad (Win Education is the only name I can remember), but are there any that are legit, or are they all illegal and to be avoided?

[wylies99]

[gangpae]

If your scuzzy hagwon boss wants you to do one of these jobs you need to straight up refuse, because it's exactly like a previous poster stated. You sign some contracts you don't understand and start working. The really fun part is when the said scuzzball drags you down to a bank to set up an account and then pockets the bank book, bank card, and pin - "so you can get paid". I very much doubt any one involved has the best interest of the foreign teacher in mind.

Only the dumbest meatball could allow themselves to be duped in this way.

[SirFink]

I taught in one for a year. I had health insurance and pension. Applied for my pension refund at the end of the year and got it back. Was paid on time every month. Worked 4 hours a day. Zero problems. Easiest job I've ever had.

[Hootsmon]

[billyg]

[jangsalgida]

[Hootsmon]