Korean Job Discussion Forums

[crazy_bagman]

So I have a friend that is going to Grad school in 9 months but wants to come to Korea and teach before she starts.

I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a 6 - 8 month contract option for teaching.
I assume that there isn't and what she would have to just apply to a hagwon (public would be bad) then just teach till the end of summer and put in a 1-2 month notice for "reasons out of her control" or just a midnight run. The flight would be paid for her to get here, but she would have to make sure she had the money to get back home.

Anyone have suggestions of what options are available?

[conbon78]

Yep - he/she can just put in their 30 day notice and leave. You don't have to make up excuses...maybe they won't like it. You are allowed out, but watch the contract for anything that someone may have to pay back.

[winterfall]

Unless its specifically a 6-8 months contract. To knowingly start teaching someplace else with different terms and then try leaving. Is just irresponsible. This isn't a $7 an hr part time job.

[thecount]

It's bad form to willingly deceive an employer like that. If we expect to be treated with honestly and consideration, we should extend those same principles to our employers.

As for short-term opportunities, I have a close friend who is looking around. If she finds anything of the sort, I will PM you.

[otnemem]

There are also one month summer and winter camps, although of course that's too short for what she wants. Still, something she might want to look into.

[PeterDragon]

A few thoughts:

First off, "deceiving" a hagwon into thinking you'll be there for a full year, but leaving early with proper notice, and willingly accepting the penalties (no return airfare, no severance pay, possible repayment of airfare or recruitment fee) seems like a victimless crime. Hagwons like to cut corners and save money--- quitting 3 months early generally works to their financial benefit.

In that order, your friend's best shot might be to approach hagwons that are doing direct hire--- hagwons that pay the recruitment bonus expect to get a completely committed teacher for their fee. However, if you approach a hagwon directly, it should be pretty easy to "cut a deal". Have your friend explain her situation to prospective employers, and see if they'll be willing to hire her for a shorter period of time in exchange for concessions--- she could offer to pay her own airfare, forego severance pay, work for 10% lower salary, that sort of thing. I bet a lot of private academies would go for that, and in 9 months, she could still recoup her airfare and roll in some decent savings, even after granting her hagwon a few concessions.

And yes, pulling a "leave early" on a public school is a definite no no--- it can damage the career and reputation of the principal/faculty at the school, cause your friend to be blacklisted form the public school system, and is much harder to explain away to other employers if your friend hopes to work in Korea again later.

[crossmr]

English villages sometimes have six month contracts. I know the Paju english village has been desperately seeking foreigners for a long time.

[peppermint]

I've heard of schools offering 6 month contracts, but they only offer a flight to Korea, not return.

[Old Gil]

You cannot have a visa sponsored for less than a year. If you work something out with your school you could just cut out. They do like that sometimes, it saves them from paying a bonus.

[sojusucks]

[sunnata1]