Korean Job Discussion Forums

mai · Joined: 12 Jun 2009

Hello everyone,

You might remember me as the confused newbie applying to jobs from back in the States Smile

Well, I've been in Korea for almost a month now and things are going OK, but I'm considering changing jobs at some point. I love my coworkers but banging out 40 classes a week is tiring and far more than I was promised on my contract -- simply because the hagwon didn't want to pay for another foreign teacher. This, along with some other annoyances I won't mention have got me thinking...

Assuming I work for an honest employer, here is what I'm looking for, prioritized by importance:

1.) Hours (Less hours in the workplace highly preferable!)

2.) Location (I live near Hongdae and love this area! Something comprable in Seoul would be nice, considering I'm near all my friends)

3.) Wage (I get 2.1 million won/month + some pennies in overtime. It's not terrible but I'd sure like more)

Do I have a shot at a job like this a few months down the line? If so, where should I look? I'm in Seoul, so I wouldn't mind interviewing in person with a school.

Thanks in advance!

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

It's not exactly easy to switch visas here.

mai · Joined: 12 Jun 2009

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

40 classes a week? Wow

In 2004 people told me I was getting screwed badly when I worked 37 classes a week in the hours of 3:15 to 7:20 or sometimes 9:10. I did work some saturdays though.

40 classes a week is LOTS. I'm sure you didn't sign up for that many since you mention some of it is overtime.. try and negotiate with your boss about cutting down the overtime. I'm sure it's poorly paid.

tenchu77491 · Joined: 16 Mar 2009

I was pulling 35-40 classes a week before, totally sucks. I don't blame him for wanting something else.

As the other user said, ask your boss to cut the overtime down. Tell him honestly it's hard. If he has half a brain he will see if he doesn't cut it down he is risking losing an employee, but you can't tell him that. Just don't not imply it. Laughing

lots of negatives there

GreenlightmeansGO · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Location: Daegu

Despite what Bass said, I think you could give 2 months notice to quit your current job, find another job while in Korea and go through all the hassle of getting a new visa. I think you need to have worked at a job for 6 months or more to be able to transfer the visa.

It sounds like your school is treating you like a sucker. 40 classes is too much.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

Just tell your boss that you signed a contract for 30 classes a week, not 30 hours a week. If he doesn't think that is how it is ask he to ring 5 other hogwons and ask them.

mai · Joined: 12 Jun 2009

poeticjustice · Joined: 28 Feb 2009

I pulled 40 teaching hours a week every day at my first hagwon, excluding kintergarten in the mornings. I managed to do that for a whole year.

It can be done... but you might burn yourself out in the process. How are your kids?

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

40 teaching hours a week is way too much for 2.1 million won. Actually, it's terrible. At my old position I had 9 class hours a day; 4 at one school which were 55 minutes each, and 5 at another school which were 40 minutes each. It was a lot and I did burn out, but I was also making 4.5 million won a month.

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

climber159 · Joined: 02 Sep 2007

How to play in Korea;
1. Learn the rules of the education ladder here by working for a while (read, at least one full contract).
2. Put in your initial time to establish experience and professional references (which, in order to do so you'll likely need to complete at least one full contract).
3. Then, start your search for bigger and better positions.

Note: Just like back home, quitting a job early generally doesn't sit positively with your employer.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

yeremy · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:42 pm Post subject: Hagwon life

Work as long as you can before you give 2 months notice. In the meantime, try not to burn the candle too much at both ends. And try to be as efficient as you can be in preparing for your classes and don't overtax your voice while teaching. I did 35 classes a week for 22 months at a hagwon and it is doable, but it is not always pleasant. Watch your sleeping habits, too.

lostintranslation100 · Joined: 30 Aug 2009

I don't understand why anyone would do 40 hours of teaching a week for 2.1 million. I teach 24 classes for 2.3 million a month and feel like I still should be getting paid more. Kudos to the OP for actually lasting this long. You are a real trooper and doing the future of Korea a great favor. Hats off to your dedication to edutainment!