Korean Job Discussion Forums

[708]

Thought it would be interesting to compare working conditions in these 2 countries.

Of course there are qualitiative differences, but at the level of stats from people who actually teaching ESL, how do China and Korea really compare?

Cut and paste this form with your own situation if you wish:

Country:
Urban/Suburban/Rural:
Hours per week worked:
Monthly pay:
Benefits:
Tax:
University/High school/kids:
Sample cost of everday goods:

OK, for me, I worked in China....

China
Rural
12 hours/week
Benefits - 1-way airfare for a 6-month contract, free western apartment
Tax - 0%
$500 American/month
University
Sample prices - (In US dollars) Bottled green tea - 30 cents, Huge plate of beef - $2, 5 min. Taxi ride - 80 cents, Bus fare - 30 cents

[losing_touch]

Country: Korea
Urban
Hours per week worked: 30
Monthly pay: 2.3 million KRW
Benefits: Pension, Medical, Severance, Airfare, Housing
Tax: 3%
University/High school/kids: kids
Sample cost of everday goods: beer 1700

OK, for me, I worked in China....

[lifeinkorea]

It depends if you are concerned about living or pay. You won't get good pay in China, but if that is where you want to live (China is big, it is different all around) then you shouldn't worry about it.

[ChinaBoy]

[WoBW]

I moved to China about 6 months ago after 3 years in Korea. I save almost as much as I did in Korea, and have a similar lifestyle. Plus I've bought stuff that I never had in Korea, such as a new laptop and fitness equipment. I also have a huge 3 bedroom apartment (free).

I teach kids 20 hours a week but it's easy. No prep. required as it's all laid on. Plus I have effective and genuinely bilingual Chinese assistants in class at all times.

Which is better? I can't say - I was happy in Seoul, I'm happy in this mid-sized city in China. I wouldn't rule out a return to Korea one day but for now I'm happy here.

[708]

WoBW are you in southern China?

At a private or public school?

[WoBW]

I'm in Xuzhou, which is 'near' the east coast about mid-way between Shanghai and Beijing. I work at a private training centre where we prepare (mainly) university graduates or soon-to-be graduates to go overseas to study. This includes preparation for the IELTS test.

The salary is respectable but not great, but my lifestyle here (same as in Korea) doesn't demand a lot of expenditure. By that I mean I don't go out clubbing, even at weekends (I'm 37 - old fart, and I HATE clubs), and I like to eat the local food.

Example, tomorrow I have a student taking me to see some of the historical sights of this city, of which there are many - mostly free. That is a nice day out to me. Boring for many, but each to their own.

So, yeah. I save almost as much as I did in Korea, and I find the people more friendly here. In fact my students, all late teens or twenty-somethings, are falling over themselves to help me with everyday things and to show me around.

EDIT: Hang on, my last two posts look contrary to each other; allow me to explain. When i said I was teaching kids 20 hours a week (first post), well that was until about 10 days ago. I was still in that frame of mind when I made that post. My new job is preparing young adults/adults for overseas study or emigration. However, all other factors are the same, including having a huge apartment. Thank goodness i don't have to deal with kids anymore. The whining, snotty nosed little s@@ts.