Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Skippy]

Once again I am job searching. Here is a question for all people who have looked for a job time and again.

What questions should I ask of a school? Besides the usual!
How much money do I earn?
Do I teach kindergarden?
Do I have a split shift?
etc

I am talking about original and questions that can really help me choose a good school and avoid ones that will drive me to ruin and insanity.


Like is the apartment I am staying in is it with in Walking distance of the school?

Thanks People!

[Derrek]

1. Are there staff meetings I must attend? How often and how long?
2. How often do you send out report cards?
3. Is there any phone teaching involved?
4. Are there any "special events" which happen often or occassionally? (camps, intensive sessions, etc.). If so, what are the working hours?
5. Do I need to feed the kids lunch?
6. When are my breaks, and how long are they?
7. Is one class (45 or 50 mins) considered an hour?
8. Does your school have any history of immigration problems (illegal teachers being busted, etc.).
9. May I please speak with a current and former teacher at your school?
(please note -- if they can't provide me with at least one contact, then I won't sign).
10. Will I ever work weekends?
11. Check the contract -- make sure they aren't taking out some huge "deposit" from your salary! I would never allow this.
12. Have you ever fired a foreign teacher? If so, why? (One place I interviewed at fired a teacher because, "He sometimes didn't put things back after he used them"). FIRED FOR THAT?

Those are all I can think of off of the top of my head.

[ratslash]

erm, derrek has some good questions. a good question to ask is what kind of curriculum do you use?

[The Man known as The Man]

How about "Can the Asian really take a television and turn it into a watch like the Reverend Reggie White said he could?"

[Derrek]

Ever here of reverend "Peter Popoff"?

Now that makes for some funny reading. He was busted because he wore a hidden earpiece while his wife gave him instructions about peoples' problems, and he'd claim he heard it all "from God".

[prairieboy]

Ask about these as well:

Sick days: How many days can I use a year for sickness and what do I need to do to ensure my salary isn't reduced because of it? I think at least 6-paid days a year for sickness is about right (this is what you'd get working full-time in a union job for most companies). As well, having to provide a doctor's note goes hand-in-hand with this so expect to have to meet this requirement.

Termination notice: How many days are required for notice of termination by either party and under what circumstances can a teacher be fired? (almost the exact same question that Derrek asked above)

Airfare: Is round trip airfare provided up front or am I to be re-imbursed and when?

Housing: What is the housing like? Is there a roach infestation in the apartment or in the building? Make sure they know that accepting the contract is contingent on the housing being of a "liveable standard" in your opinion. Some schools won't get an apartment for the teacher until they have arrived and then they will take them to see apartments in the price range the school can afford.

Deductions: What are the standard montly deductions from my pay? Some schools do not make deductions in accordance with the law. Such as taxes, some schools (not all) take income tax only and take it at a rate of over 5%. For a single teacher making 2.0mill a month the rate is only around 2% (check the NTS website for this info http://www.nts.go.kr/eng/default.html). Same goes for Pension, resident tax and health insurance. All said, your deductions should come to about 10% a month, give or take and you should be getting a detailed pay stub.

These are additional things I would ask and keep in mind when hearing the answers.

Good luck

[Derrek]

Oh, about the roach thing...

I ALWAYS check out the apartment they are providing, or find my own.