Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Winterkalte]

Hello,
I'm new to this. I just graduated from college. My major was Biology. I don't have any ESL teaching experience or a TEFL/TESOL/Celta certificate. I see a lot of salaries on job boards and recruiter websites that range from 1.8-2.5 million won per month. What should someone with my lack of experience expect? Anything less than 2.1 really isn't worth it to me since I got some serious student loans to pay off. Am I asking for too much if want at least 2.1 million won per month?

[Big Mac]

It used to be that the standard rate for a first year teacher was 2 million won a month. But it seems that today you can reasonably expect something between 2.1 million and 2.3 million. Any less than that you're getting ripped off. Any more than that you should consider yourself lucky.

If you're in Seoul, they'll probably pay you a little less than they would in a rural area, since it is more difficult to get people to go to those places.

[lifeinkorea]

I lived way out in Yeongyang, near Andong, my first year. A public school teacher out there made 2.7. He didn't have any extra training, just out of the army. There are different levels of country living. I am considered out in the country but not really far enough for an allowance.

An allowance is extra money for living out in the country. If you like that idea, so you can pay off loans, you might want to consider this. Also, I am doing overtime as a side arrangement. It didn't come to much for winter camps, but it's about 300,000 more a month during regular teaching months.

You might get 3.0 million if you are lucky way out there. If you work in Seoul, 2.0 might be your starting salary.

[sarbonn]

Don't sell yourself short. Most people don't have credentials either in this field. I would say that having a degree in biology might actually work in your favor as there are often times where I find myself teaching science to students, not just English.

Whatever else, remain flexible and you'll probably do okay. It's hard to pinpoint how much you should get paid right now because the economy is in such a flux; it's hard to tell how much anyone is worth these days.

[Demophobe]

Too bad the question was about money.

[Joe666]

Demophobe: Too bad the question was about money.

Demophobe doesn't want to say it. So let me be so kind as to inform Mr. Winterkalt. Forgetting salary for the moment, how much does a fragment of feces cost in your country.