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dexter
Joined: 22 Oct 2008
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 Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject: choosing which job |
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I Have been offered a couple of ESL positions. The first one is Avalon English Schools, in Soeul, probably Bundang. The second is GEPIK. The pay is pretty much the same. GEPIK has more holidays.
My initial impression is to take the AVALON position since, from reaing other threads about them here, the class sizes seem a little bit smaller, and although the job might have worse conditions, it would be an easier entry into English teaching. I have no experience and teaching 30+ students in a public shool seems a little bit more daunting. Also Bundang seems a nice area.
Can anybody offer some thoughts? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:31 pm Post subject: Re: choosing which job |
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| dexter wrote: |
I Have been offered a couple of ESL positions. The first one is Avalon English Schools, in Soeul, probably Bundang. The second is GEPIK. The pay is pretty much the same. GEPIK has more holidays.
My initial impression is to take the AVALON position since, from reaing other threads about them here, the class sizes seem a little bit smaller, and although the job might have worse conditions, it would be an easier entry into English teaching. I have no experience and teaching 30+ students in a public shool seems a little bit more daunting. Also Bundang seems a nice area.
Can anybody offer some thoughts? |
If you have a PS job with a 1/2 way decent co-teacher it will be a walk in the park compared to any hakwon.
IF the GEPIK job is at the elementary level then you will have pre-made lesson plans and guides books and CDs to use as a basis for your own improvements. AS you build your skills you can have some awesome classes.
IF you get a bad/indifferent co-teacher then your life in a PS will be similar to working in an average hakwon.
There is a lot to be said in favor of those 4-6 weeks of paid vacation when it comes to refreshing yourself and some downtime. |
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Mandinga
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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| refresh my geography, but Bundang looks like it's outside of Seoul, in reference to your Avalon job. |
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dexter
Joined: 22 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: choosing which job |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| dexter wrote: |
I Have been offered a couple of ESL positions. The first one is Avalon English Schools, in Soeul, probably Bundang. The second is GEPIK. The pay is pretty much the same. GEPIK has more holidays.
My initial impression is to take the AVALON position since, from reaing other threads about them here, the class sizes seem a little bit smaller, and although the job might have worse conditions, it would be an easier entry into English teaching. I have no experience and teaching 30+ students in a public shool seems a little bit more daunting. Also Bundang seems a nice area.
Can anybody offer some thoughts? |
If you have a PS job with a 1/2 way decent co-teacher it will be a walk in the park compared to any hakwon.
IF the GEPIK job is at the elementary level then you will have pre-made lesson plans and guides books and CDs to use as a basis for your own improvements. AS you build your skills you can have some awesome classes.
IF you get a bad/indifferent co-teacher then your life in a PS will be similar to working in an average hakwon.
There is a lot to be said in favor of those 4-6 weeks of paid vacation when it comes to refreshing yourself and some downtime. |
So 1 vote for GEPIK?
I have been goven a choice which grades I want to teach, although they've also said they 'cannot guarantee me my preference'..so ..lol
What are the characteristics of a bad co-teacher?
I suppose if the lessons are all very structured that would be easier.
Last edited by dexter on Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:37 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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dexter
Joined: 22 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Mandinga wrote: |
| refresh my geography, but Bundang looks like it's outside of Seoul, in reference to your Avalon job. |
Yes you are correct. The information they gave me says it's in the area 'surrounding Seoul'. |
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AussieGav
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Location: Uijeongbu
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: choosing which job |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| dexter wrote: |
I Have been offered a couple of ESL positions. The first one is Avalon English Schools, in Soeul, probably Bundang. The second is GEPIK. The pay is pretty much the same. GEPIK has more holidays.
My initial impression is to take the AVALON position since, from reaing other threads about them here, the class sizes seem a little bit smaller, and although the job might have worse conditions, it would be an easier entry into English teaching. I have no experience and teaching 30+ students in a public shool seems a little bit more daunting. Also Bundang seems a nice area.
Can anybody offer some thoughts? |
If you have a PS job with a 1/2 way decent co-teacher it will be a walk in the park compared to any hakwon.
IF the GEPIK job is at the elementary level then you will have pre-made lesson plans and guides books and CDs to use as a basis for your own improvements. AS you build your skills you can have some awesome classes.
IF you get a bad/indifferent co-teacher then your life in a PS will be similar to working in an average hakwon.
There is a lot to be said in favor of those 4-6 weeks of paid vacation when it comes to refreshing yourself and some downtime. |
ttompatz, I agree totally. Hving done the hagwon thing for a couple of years (albeit with some small classes) the public school option is definatly much better. Its not just just the longer vacation (which I have'nt had yet) its the fact that I get home at a decent time and dont feel exhausted every day from teaching 7 hours a day.
Op Bundang is a bit south of Seoul, a bit of distance from most places but ok i Guess. You will amke your own decision in the end and I hope you are happy with it because this can be a great place and a great way to work. But I would say put the fears you mentioned aside when making your decison as they are the least of your worries. Good luck |
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call_the_shots
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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I can't speak for Avalon English Schools, but I have done the hagwon thing a couple of times, and one of the hagwons I worked at was better than the public school that I'm working at now. Granted the chances of Avalon being better than a public school are very low, but I would at least investigate the possibility by talking to present or former Avalon teachers.
One issue that I have with GEPIK is that they want a housing deposit (maybe 500,000 won or so?), and they pretty much hold that money hostage until the end of your contract. This is true even if you find your own housing. If you want to go with a public school, try EPIK. |
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AussieGav
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Location: Uijeongbu
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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The housing deposit is 900,000 now payable over the first 3 months with payments of 300,000 month. Yes! If you are unhappy it is a form of ransom as is the end of contract bonus etc.
I also agree that trying to speak to some former employees is a very good idea.
At the end of the day though there is an element of gamble in what ever you decide. |
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Ukon
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:45 pm Post subject: Re: choosing which job |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| dexter wrote: |
I Have been offered a couple of ESL positions. The first one is Avalon English Schools, in Soeul, probably Bundang. The second is GEPIK. The pay is pretty much the same. GEPIK has more holidays.
My initial impression is to take the AVALON position since, from reaing other threads about them here, the class sizes seem a little bit smaller, and although the job might have worse conditions, it would be an easier entry into English teaching. I have no experience and teaching 30+ students in a public shool seems a little bit more daunting. Also Bundang seems a nice area.
Can anybody offer some thoughts? |
If you have a PS job with a 1/2 way decent co-teacher it will be a walk in the park compared to any hakwon.
IF the GEPIK job is at the elementary level then you will have pre-made lesson plans and guides books and CDs to use as a basis for your own improvements. AS you build your skills you can have some awesome classes.
IF you get a bad/indifferent co-teacher then your life in a PS will be similar to working in an average hakwon.
There is a lot to be said in favor of those 4-6 weeks of paid vacation when it comes to refreshing yourself and some downtime. |
yep, same as SMOE.....nearly all my lessons are prepared....they had me write lesson plans(based off prepared material) for the first few weeks for record keeping, then I magically stopped getting asked for them....
The only downside is 30 screaming kids if you have Elem..... |
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call_the_shots
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:08 am Post subject: |
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| AussieGav wrote: |
The housing deposit is 900,000 now payable over the first 3 months with payments of 300,000 month. Yes! If you are unhappy it is a form of ransom as is the end of contract bonus etc.
I also agree that trying to speak to some former employees is a very good idea.
At the end of the day though there is an element of gamble in what ever you decide. |
<cough> 900K?  |
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teacha
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:26 am Post subject: |
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I work for GEPIK at a public middle school in Bucheon. The majority of PS teachers in GEPIK work at middle schools (according to our orientation), so there's a good chance that's the age range you'd teach.
I'm also a first time teacher and yes, it is daunting teaching with 40 students. You have to realize that it's impossible to teach all 40 of them English conversation. It's less stressful when you realize this. |
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dexter
Joined: 22 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:31 am Post subject: |
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| AussieGav wrote: |
At the end of the day though there is an element of gamble in what ever you decide. |
It's funny you say that. I am seriously thinking about tossing a coin at this point. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:46 am Post subject: |
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| dexter wrote: |
| AussieGav wrote: |
At the end of the day though there is an element of gamble in what ever you decide. |
It's funny you say that. I am seriously thinking about tossing a coin at this point. |
Before you toss the coin, take a GOOD LOOK at BOTH contracts.
Look at MORE THAN the base pay. The perks and benefits can make a HUGE DIFFERENCE at the end of the year. How many hakwon workers are getting their 240k won tax (oil/energy relief) payment? How many do not get their pensions paid into? How many don't have medical? OH, and don't forget those PAID vacations and time off.
The 900k won deposit that GEPIK takes is not a big deal nor is it the risk that the deposits at hakwons are.
IF you quit (with notice) you get it back (minus any outstanding debts you incur in the school's name).
If you complete your contract you get it back (same caveat).
The only time you lose it is if you pull a runner or cause some liability that the school (AS YOUR LEGAL SPONSOR) may incur (like getting yourself deported or trashing your apartment / furnishings, etc)
I am NOT advocating for GEPIK. It has its own problems and some of them are systemic but like I said before:
1) A PS position with a decent co-teacher will beat 99% of hakwon jobs, hands down.
2) A bad PS position with a crappy co-teacher is no worse than the VAST majority of hakwons (and you still get your benefits).
. |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:32 am Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
1) A PS position with a decent co-teacher will beat 99% of hakwon jobs, hands down.
2) A bad PS position with a crappy co-teacher is no worse than the VAST majority of hakwons (and you still get your benefits).
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A bad PS position in an isolated area is much worse than the majority of hagwons. If the only time you aren't alone is when you're with someone who is always playing mind games, you will go nuts. At least at a hagwon you have people around to vent to about your crappy job and keep things in perspective.
The other problem with a crappy PS job is that you, who know nothing about teaching or controlling a class, might be expected to TEACH and CONTROL THE CLASS. While your crap coteacher glowers at you from the back of the room.
That was my job! |
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dexter
Joined: 22 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Draz wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
1) A PS position with a decent co-teacher will beat 99% of hakwon jobs, hands down.
2) A bad PS position with a crappy co-teacher is no worse than the VAST majority of hakwons (and you still get your benefits).
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A bad PS position in an isolated area is much worse than the majority of hagwons. If the only time you aren't alone is when you're with someone who is always playing mind games, you will go nuts. At least at a hagwon you have people around to vent to about your crappy job and keep things in perspective.
The other problem with a crappy PS job is that you, who know nothing about teaching or controlling a class, might be expected to TEACH and CONTROL THE CLASS. While your crap coteacher glowers at you from the back of the room.
That was my job! |
That's awful! And that's what Im afraid of. |
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