Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shostahoosier]

My co-teacher went to a GEPIK training conference last week and according to her, GEPIK plans to hire far fewer teachers next year.

We've all heard that they cut GEPIK's budget but she said they also dont want to hire any teachers that aren't already in Korea because the GPOE feels that the number of teachers they have now are adequate.

Since I doubt they could get enough teachers to renew I'm assuming what she meant is that they wont increase the number of teachers in the province.

She also said that they will allow Phillipino and Indian native English speaking teachers sign contracts. The goal is to increase the quality of teachers that teach English.

I doubt this is new news or anything to panic about...

I really am curious to see how the budget cut affects hiring, benefits and renewals...if it does at all.

[Teddycakes21]

Hmm... haven't heard anything about this. Any chance she's pulling your tail?

=D

[nathanrutledge]

If you aren't working the contract specified maximum of 22 hours, you're gone. There is no change to the pay scale for next year. Also, from what can be gathered from the fragmented answers, raises next year will be based solely on the principal's recommendation/decision?

Friday, October 16th, there was a big meeting in Osan and that's what we were told. Some people tried to ask questions about this, but were told to email the coordinator with questions. So as best as can be figured, a lot of folks will be out of jobs and those that stay probably won't get a raise for the year.

[Julius]

[nathanrutledge]

[smoggy]

This is what I heard and read in the Korean Times - sometimes in Sept. or early Oct. - can't remember. The students receiving their teaching degrees are no longer able to find a jobs, so in Seoul Gangham and other areas, they are hiring their own citizens to teach the speaking classes. Even though most of them don't speak enough to be successful, but the govt. feels that their citizens should come first. This is supposed to be in effect on the first semester of the new year - Aug. 2010?

I really wonder if that will come to pass, but other schools are saying the cost is too high, and that they can't afford us.

[TexasChicken]

Just to throw in my 2 cents. My girlfriend a Korean took an exam about 3 months ago to become a contract teacher similar to the deal most foreigners are offered. She will teach 22 hours a week gets paid 2.0 million won with like 2 weeks paid vacation. SMOE hired her she will start next year sometime in March. She said they were trying to hire about 450 koreans to be placed randomly in schools around Seoul. However they ended up hiring like 212? Anyways her job is going to be similar to a native teacher position. She said they only hired people with near fluent Spoken English. I.E. Koreans who had lived overseas. So I think their is some truth to the rumors, atleast in the SMOE area. If you guys want I can interrogate her for more details.

T.C.

[The_Truth]

Wow!
Finally, some good news for us who works at hagwons!

[shostahoosier]

yeah...my co-worker told me that they would also begin hiring native Koreans to teach English around 2012 at the latest.

I wonder how much they can raise the quality considering they still hire many people based on photos.


I'm hoping to renew with my same school for next year (if things stay the same as they are now...which is good).

I guess I'm not as worried as my school is in the middle of nowhere and people dread being sent here. I work the full 22 hours so hopefully that helps.

[Julius]

[Captain Obvious]

Quality over Quantity? That would be marvelous if they actually carry through with it, but when they come down to the wire they'll probably start taking anyone with a degree and a pulse again. And hey if they do carry through with it none of us here will have anything to worry about.

[lifesatrip]

first post.
Planning to come next year, hoping to apply with SMOE, though I'd take anything. Should we really be worried?? Heard this kind of thing before? or is it likely I wont get hired? Ive been thinking that I'd be a shoo-in and have no problem, but... crap.

[gillod]

This is what I heard also- Budget is taking a heavy hit. They're focusing on renewals and not doing as many new hires. I hadn't heard about hiring Koreans, but whatever. I teach 29 hours a week, so whatever. I should be fine

[Julius]

[gillod]