Korean Job Discussion Forums

[John_ESL_White]

Hello,

I've been in Korea for a few years.

I'm on an F-2.

I've taught most of it: "special" (TOEFL) hagwons, regular poor kid-low level hagwons, after school Ps, my apartment school, other small apartment schools, big company classes, one on one CEO classes, uni classes, PT "international school classes", etc....

What I want to know from those vets that know is what can be expected working like a work-a-holic in Seoul.

I know what I can make in *not Seoul* working like a dog for several different employers.... How is it in Seoul?

In the back of my mind, I'm thinking that there are more FTs in Seoul, so the pay is going to be lower for privates.... then I realize that the demand must be greater for English in Seoul.... but then I look at the city I'm in now and realize that demand is probably about the same all over Korea...

Am I screwing myself by moving to the capital where most FTs want to be, legal or illegal? Will all the privates want to pay me 30/hr because Joe illegal canadian will teach them for 30?

What's it like and what can I expect? Do those Gangnam specialized academy jobs really pay a LOT more if you have experience and ability or is it like the rest of Korea?

Anyone in the know, let me know.

Thanks

[Bibbitybop]

Why not shoot for a public school job? I mean, besides all the recent posts about SMOE? Many people are very happy in SMOE.

[John_ESL_White]

PS jobs pay low and have long hours unless you get into an international school with a smart president (I know of one international HS that pays 3.5 and gives the lucky FTs an apt.).

I like the idea of walking into a place, teaching my classes, leaving and going to another place and teaching my classes and then leaving.

I also like to mix up my classes. I don't mind teaching 5 hours/wk with low level middle school kids if I know it's only going to be 5 a week and the rest of the time I'm teaching adults, uni kids and HS kids who've lived abroad....

I'm sure there are other F-2s out there that do the same thing. And, I'm sure others like the security of a PS. They both have their benefits.