Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Slaser272]

Hi, I am currently in my last year of college (graduating in May) and I am about to start applying in earnest to teach in Korea after I graduate.

My degree is not related to teaching, and I don't plan to obtain a TESOL certificate before I leave, mostly because I've heard that the salary benefits are not worth the cost of the course. Please correct me if I'm wrong about this. I don't have any plans to do any more teaching after 1 year in Korea.

My goal in all this is to do something interesting for a year before I go back to the US to start my career, save up as much money as possible, and learn some Korean.

I would very much prefer to live IN Seoul. I live in New York City now, and I prefer urban living, especially living right on top of everything, rather than commuting every day.
Is this possible for someone with no experience?

What would I be giving up compared with finding a job through GEPIK or in a smaller city in Korea?

Is SMOE the way to go? Should I look at the ESL Cafe job listings as well? Any other places I should look besides those?

When should I start sending in applications if I want to start my year contract around June-September?

What districts in Seoul should I (realistically) aim to get into, and which ones should I avoid?

What should be the minimum pay I take? What's the upper limit of pay I could get if I find a good deal?

Sorry for the long list of questions, but I'm very excited and curious about this and I want to make sure I do it right. Thanks!

[andrewchon]

Seoul: you can do it with no experience
GEPIK: if you want NY's 'closed-in-ness' GEPIK isn't it.
No, do not send apps for 2010 Sept intake now.
Let the recruiters know you are available, though.
One generally aims for south of Han river.
Public school pays are set.
For you: BA plus nothing means 2.0 mil won in SMOE schools.
Hagwons pays vary but BA plus nothing means 1.8 to 2.4.
You'll have to teach many hours for 2.4

If you're frugal, saving 10K US isn't hard.

[GTG09]

I just got a position in Yangsan outside of Busan. I was in the same position as you in terms of qualifications. My degree had nothing to do with teaching and I did not get any certificates. Pay is at 2.2 and im teach M-F 5.5 hours a day. I wanted outside of Busan and I ended up getting that from my recruiter.

[Street Magic]

[PRagic]

A lot of this has been hashed over, but in a nut shell...

1) set up a separate e-mail account to sift through all the garbage...
2) get your 'packet' together (resume, cover letter, pics, diploma, background check, LORs...)
3) use any recruiter you can find. Use them all!
4) post your resume on any job board you can find. Use them all!

Don't get pushed into accepting a position that doesn't satisfy your base expectations. Seoul it is. Anything else? No thanks! Adults. No split shifts...set your needs and stick to your requests.

Have to differ in opion with Andrewchon about 'aiming for south of the Han River', though. The only people I know who like KangNam (south of the river) are Kyopo (Korean American/Korean Canadian...). That area is newer and more modern, but lacks any character. Very plastic with a load of over priced cafes, clubs, and associated posers. Koreans pay to live there because many Seouls supposedly better middle and high schools are there. They've drivin up the apartment prices to insane levels, but housing prices for everything but apartments are pretty much the same price all over Seoul. Lived up there in a central neighborhood for 6 months and then just had to get the hell out of there! Almost 20 years in Korea, and that's the longest I've ever lived south of the river.

For your money, Itaewon has cheaper rent for more elbow room, although it tends toward the 'foreign ghetto'. If they can afford it, most don't live in Itaewon. Nice place to visit, but....

[GTG09]

Ofcourse he wants the more modern plastic area, hes from New York.

[Slaser272]

Wow, thanks for all the great responses.

andrewchon: So if I take an SMOE job, it's standardized pay, and pretty standard hours across schools, right? And if I look at job listings/talk to recruiters, those are all hagwon jobs?

It seems like a public school might be better for me. I've a lot about people having trouble with particular hagwons, and that isn't typically a problem in public schools, right?

Street Magic: That's a good point. Anyone know if it's standard for the year to start in September? If it is I think I should be safe.

PRagic: My preference is for someplace that could be considered hip, where young people congregate, with cheap bars and restaurants. More bohemian or something like that than plastic. Are there areas like that in Seoul?

GTG09: Haha, not everyone in New York likes plastic. A lot of people certainly do, but the best parts of the city are the old, grimy looking parts in my opinion.

[andrewchon]

Yes, Standard pay and standard hours (some OT doesn't hurt).
As for the other question, I don't get what you're asking about.
But I think you're referring to after-school programs.
Read other threads; PSs are not the cruisy jobs any more.

Hip area is Mapo, just north of the river.
Seedy area is DongDaeMun, very much north of the river.

[Big Mac]

If you're looking for a place that is more hip, then try to get a job around the Hongik University area or Sinchon Station. It's close to an area called Hongdae that is very popular with foreigners and young Koreans. It's not a very central location though. In that case, Gangnam would be better.

Public schools aren't always better. They can be lonely (you're the only foreigner and no one else speaks English), bureaucratic and can screw you over just like a hogwan. I've been paid late at my public school but never at a hogwan. Not to mention classes are huge and the curriculum is less than inspiring. If you find a good hogwan, it can be much better than a public school...and pay better. Don't rule them out.

[Slaser272]

That's good to know. I just had an impression from reading things on this board that hagwons would be much more likely to give me problems and public schools would be much safer in that regard. And although I'll certainly try to get out of the foreign English teacher bubble, it would be nice not to be the only foreigner in the school. I'll be considering hagwons.

I was trying to ask whether public schools recruit by any other means besides the SMOE application. So if I'm finding a jo through a job listing, or a recruiter or something, is that definitely a hagwon, or do public schools advertise like that as well?

Thanks for all the location suggestions. They seem like the sort of places I'd like to live. Do you know of any websites that have a lot of information about what all the districts of Seoul are like? Actually (and sorry to keep asking for more information) any links to "foreigner in Korea" sites or good ESL blogs would be helpful.

[andrewchon]

sites?
check out EnglishTeacherRyan: he's a noob, he'll be more up your street.
for an vet's perspective, asmith's site: highfidelityrecords.blogspot.com
Neither are based in Seoul though.
I can't think of one that is Seoul based and is more than a page only.

[PRagic]

+1 on Big Mac's post. The Hong Ik University area is great. Anywhere around Ehwa University, Yonsei University, and Sogang University will put you in proximity to some decent areas, and all are a stones throw from Hong Ik University.

Good luck, OP. VERY good that you're seriously looking into locations and employers before you put step one on the plane!

[Big Mac]

There are many recruiters that recruit for the public schools. You don't have to go with the education office. I know Footprints definitely recruits for SMOE and probably for the other ones such as GEPIK and EPIK. I think the way it works is that each recruiter is given a certain quota of jobs to fill.

If you do decide to go with hogwans, just know what to look for in a contract. It's not usually what is in the contract that is the problem, but what they leave out of the contract. If the contract doesn't mention medical insurance and pension, then that is a red flag. Also, if I were you, don't go to a new hogwan, try to find one that is more established. New hogwans are almost always a pain in the butt. Also, insist on talking to one or two of the current teachers without the director present before you sign a contract.

Good luck!

[PRagic]

I think that Wall Street Institute has a branch in the Hong Ik University/Shinchon area, if those annoying recorded messages on the subway and busses are any indication! They have a decent reputation and don't insist on split shifts, so they might be worth a look.

If you're thinking of teaching kids, there's a huge hakwon in the building right outside exit 5 of HongIk University (HongDae) Station. Another poster may know the name.

[winterfall]