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Sabres32
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
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 Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:26 pm Post subject: First Timer 2.1 million won |
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| Hey, I've been offered a couple positions in Seoul and both the starting pay is at 2.1 million won. Am I being lowballed? I am a first timer with no formal teaching experience and no TEFLA/CELTA certification. I know Epik offers 1.8 million based on my qualifications, but I am wondering if this is low for hagwon standards. Any thoughts would be appreciated. |
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hajima 99
Joined: 13 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:38 pm Post subject: |
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I haven't been scouting out hagwon jobs for a couple years now, but my immediate response would be that they are definitely not low-balling you especially considering, as you said, you have no teaching experience, no certification, and a university degree in a field other than education (I'm assuming).
There are however several other factors that need to be taken into consideration. ie. teaching hours, daily scheduling (is it split?), Saturday requirements, age of students (kindy should pay a little more than 2.1, I believe) etc.
You may very well find an offer of 2.2 or perhaps 2.3 though. I don't think that would be impossible. 'Location'might be important to you as well, so do your research. |
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DosEquisXX
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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| I got a PS job at 2.2/month without any teaching experience or certification (and an Econ degree to boot). Work at two schools in a small city. |
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Sabres32
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Yea, I was hoping for around 2.2 million. However, the hours arent that bad and there is no work on Saturdays. I expect the cost of living in Seoul to be extremely high. I currently live in Washington, DC. Does anybody know how DC's cost of living compares to Seoul? |
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hagwonnewbie
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Location: Asia
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| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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Foods in Korea and the US are similarly priced in my opinion.
The selection will be much different. If you try to duplicate your American diet here, it could get pricey.
You could also get a little more money I think.
I wouldn't work at the same academy as your significant other. I think you should both find a neighborhood in maybe Mokdong, Nowon or Gangnam, for example, and get jobs at different academies. You'll meet more people and if one of you decides to quit their job, you can stay at the other one's apartment while in limbo. |
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hajima 99
Joined: 13 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:34 am Post subject: |
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| Sabres32 wrote: |
| Yea, I was hoping for around 2.2 million. However, the hours arent that bad and there is no work on Saturdays. I expect the cost of living in Seoul to be extremely high. I currently live in Washington, DC. Does anybody know how DC's cost of living compares to Seoul? |
I would never say the cost of living in Seoul is "extremely high." Groceries, public transport (including taxis), eating out (especially Korean restaurants of course), utilities, miscellaneous goods including furniture, appliances etc. (www.Gmarket.co.kr can become your new best friend) are all cheaper here than back west (significantly cheaper in some cases).
As somebody else mentioned, if you go out and buy only imported goods, eat only in Western restaurants (ie. T.G.I Fridays, Outback Steakhouse and so on) then yes, it will be very costly to live here. Nobody does that of course. You can eat a Korean BBQ meal here for five bucks in some places. Lots of cheap food options.
At 2.1 to 2.2 million a month with accommodation taken care of, you'll be more than comfortable, with a very nice chunk of money easily put in the bank each month as savings.
P.S. Are you a Buffalo Sabres fan? If so, I may have to stop providing advice 
Last edited by hajima 99 on Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:30 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Sabres32
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:35 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the advice. Ha, yes I happen to be a huge Sabres fan. Watch out for Ryan Miller in the Olympics. |
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hajima 99
Joined: 13 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:55 am Post subject: |
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Then that settles it. We're just not gonna get along. You're going to like me a lot less when I tell you I'm a diehard Sens fan  |
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Goon-Yang
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Duh
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:05 am Post subject: |
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| hajima 99 wrote: |
If you read some of those reports that come out each year that rank the "world's most expensive cities to live in," Seoul always seems to come out in the top 5. Don't listen to those! |
Most foreigners in this country don't own their own place, have a car or have kids. If you get one or more of the above your cost of living will go through the roof, especially in Seoul. Life is going to be cheap anywhere you live if you live out of your backpack. |
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Lunar Groove Gardener
Joined: 05 Jan 2005
Location: 1987 Subaru
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:07 am Post subject: |
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| It's a decent wage if the school, admin, teaching hours and housing/location meet your wishes. You could get more and like the job less. Or get less and have and awesome job. I'd ask for e-mail addresses from current teachers to make an educated decision before signing. They'll have some important info about the above issues. |
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hajima 99
Joined: 13 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:30 am Post subject: |
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| Goon-Yang wrote: |
| hajima 99 wrote: |
If you read some of those reports that come out each year that rank the "world's most expensive cities to live in," Seoul always seems to come out in the top 5. Don't listen to those! |
Most foreigners in this country don't own their own place, have a car or have kids. If you get one or more of the above your cost of living will go through the roof, especially in Seoul. Life is going to be cheap anywhere you live if you live out of your backpack. |
Fair enough, but you fail to point out that most foreigners in this country who own their own place, have a car, or have kids aren't making 2.1 million won a month at a hagwon on an E2. If you don't get one or any of the above, you can easily save a million won a month, travel to Thailand for a week, date, drink yourself silly twice a week, and then date some more. I think that's much more relevant to the OP's situation.
EDIT: I just did a quick google, and I retract what I said earlier about Seoul being in the top 5. Of four or five recent rankings, Seoul is nowhere near the top of any of them. I could have sworn that a couple years ago I read a report that they were in the top 3.... funny |
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GTG09
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 11:38 am Post subject: |
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I have no experience. I have been offered from 1.8 - 2.3 at a few different places. I took a job at 2.0, its low but the location and job fit me better than others. The money wasn't a driving force to me, and the difference between 2 and 2.3 isn't that big or pivetle for me to survive.
Basically it comes down to what you are looking for. You can get some at 2.3 but it might not fit your ideal situation. I chose to sacrifice a couple hundred dollars for a better situation. |
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