Korean Job Discussion Forums

electricbarbarella · Joined: 05 Aug 2009

I was just offered a job in the Seoul suburbs and posted the contract for review - the contract has some flaws - essentially it's a public center run by a private (re: hagwon) company. There isn't much vacation (10 days & national holidays), only 3 sick days and 30 hours of teaching per week. The accommodations have just the basics and I would need to buy some kitchen stuff. There are a few other flaws but those are the main ones.

On the plus side the accommodations are brand new and I wouldn't have to share. The school does have a set curriculum and the lessons are planned out day to day. Also, the school is brand new so no crappy classrooms. The location seems nice as I would be about 30-40 minutes outside of Seoul. The overtime pay seems fair as well. For a first timer in Seoul my pay would be 2.3 million won per month.

I'm torn about taking this job due to the negative parts of the contract, but I am worried about not taking the job with the whole SMOE mess really tightening the job market. Would you take the job and run? Put up with the crappy aspects, or would you wait for a better job offer that might not come or be a long time coming (i would be willing to wait if need be)? HELP!!!

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Sounds fairly standard hagwon contract to me.

My concerns would be:

1. How much overtime will be expected per week
2. How many students do they have? New schools can be scary. I signed-on with a new school once, and they canceled my contract just before I flew over after getting my E-2 work visa. They couldn't get enough students, and folded.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

I for one would never ever sign for 30 hours a week. Never. 30 hours a week could mean teaching over 40 classes a week! 40 minute classes or 50 minute classes. 30 hours does not mean 30 classes. 5 50 minute classes a day max is reasonable. Otherwise you'll burn out...besides...no one can teach and be effective teaching 7/8/9 classes a day!
When you're sick...take time off! Tell the school owner...3 days a year is no good...you want 6 and maybe you won't even need them! Kitchen stuff...minor..but again, tell the owner what you need or don't sign.
Also, just my added two cents worth.......Do NOT give a spare key to the owner or apartment owner...ask them if they will give you a key to their house! Of course they won't.
No one can make you do anything or sign anything...even after you sign...NO guarantee that the contract will not change and it will! Contracts in korea are just understandings! They are toilet paper. The school will jump on you if you change the contract but it's ok for them to do so.
Only you can make the choice to sign or not...many other schools looking for teachers!

electricbarbarella · Joined: 05 Aug 2009

bassexpander - as far as I can tell there isn't any overtime expected, if you want it you can take it, but aren't required. As I understand it there are already about 500 or 600 students to start, it's a public school run by a private company. It's a huge investment and large facility built by the city but with so much money invested I'm doubting it will go under, but yes the thought did cross my mind.

hellofaniceguy - from what I got in the interview I would be teaching 5 classes a day at 40 minutes long with 5/10 minute breaks in between plus a 30/40 minute dinner break with food provided by the school. Honestly it sounds very much like the school schedule I had when I did a long term sub job and I was getting paid peanuts to do that work! Yeah the sick days do worry me I sent an email to my recruiter asking her to clarify that and if more sick days could be written in. I'm just wondering how many other schools are looking for teachers with the whole SMOE mess and worried it will tighten the market to the point I wont be able to find a decent job in the next month or so.

So frakin' frustrating!!! Thanks for the feedback guys - I'm still torn. Guess I will see what my recruiter has to say......

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

5 classes a day, so do you have to work 6 days to do 30 the classes.

timmayyyyy · Joined: 18 May 2008 Location: Seoul

I agree with hellofaniceguy, anything more than 5 50 minute classes a day would be heading towards burn out city, especially with little vacation.

5 40 minute classes, now that's a lot better (the classes will go by faster for sure), but again, that wouldn't get you 30 hours a week. Find out for sure what the schedule will be from the school. Working hours and teaching hours seem to get conveniently muddled by recruiters sometimes...

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

asams · Joined: 17 Nov 2008

First, I would ask for the 30 hours bit to be changed to 30 TIMES per week. That way it doesn't matter how long the classes are you'll have a maximum 6 classes per day (which admittedly is still a lot).

Also, I would make sure there's a clause in the contract that reads like this:

"In the event the employer cannot provide 30 classes per week to the employee the entire monthly salary (2.3 million won) will still be paid."

That way they won't be able to cheat you if their attendance drops and you don't have as many classes as you started out with.