Korean Job Discussion Forums

[onlyinkorea87]

I currently teach English in Korea in the EPIK program and my contract ends August 25, 2010. Next week I'm signing up for a TEFL 100-hour course online at i-to-i. I'm already looking for jobs in Seoul.

What I'm looking for:

Area: Seoul
Salary: 2.3-2.6mil
Work hours: M-F 9:30am-5:30pm or 8:30-4:30pm as long as I'm out by 6pm
Housing: near school and subway (bus)
School: One school. Private or public--I don't mind either.
Student-Teacher Ratio: 8/10-1/ definitely less than 15
Students: kindergarten/elementary

When should I start applying for jobs? Three months before my contract's up? Later than that?

1. Where to live: I play guitar and will eventually be looking for lessons/open mics. I also run and will be looking for running spots/a running group. I like Itaewon a lot, and don't mind being somewhere in the middle of places like Myeongdong or COEX Mall.

2. Do you think it'd be okay to visit the prospective schools before I sign the contract? It'd be awesome to know exactly what I'd be getting into before I move.

Thanks so much for reading. Also, feel free to reach me at my email here: [email protected].



---
My blog on living and teaching in Korea:
www.onlyinkorea87.wordpress.com

My Youtube Channel for videos of me playing guitar/Korea:
www.youtube.com/onlyinkorea87

[33Jimbo33]

Many hagwons start looking for new teachers in March/April, so starting to look right now is good timing.

[MarketFresh]

Heard from Korean friends that gagman, and apujeong, and seocho are good places, but never been there yet.

1.Had 3 jobs in korea�found them here, well got contacted by recruiters after posting here that I�m finishing soon and looking for something else. U don�t need to put you resume, just a shout out to the recruiters. It saves time going through all the postings, though that�s a good idea if u have time, and since ur way ahead of yourself that could be an option. Salary is negotiable for hogwons. Some may give u relocation bonus as well. Not negotiable for public schools but u do get your 300 000 won bonus as a start up.

2.In SMOE (or epik/gepik) u won�t go up that high unless u plan on staying here for a long time. A friend of a friend got their tesol while working at her public school and their pay went up within a month of finishing tesol, but only by 100.00 won. U might have a better chance for a higher pay working for a hogwon�if u get your tesol u may be looking at pay of 2.4~2.6 if ur lucky�I suggest u start looking at positions in the next month as the summer positions are still coming up.

4.It�s definitely a plus if you can visit a school, u can check it out and see for yourself. Thumbs up for that.

5.Yes rented a truck 3 times..actuallly I rented 2 times and got my public school to pay for my last move. I think from gwangju to seoul, you�re probably looking at about 250 000 or a bit more all depending on the amount of stuff and boxes and all. If u don�t have a lot u can also post it from gwangju to seoul, I think it�s like 10 000 or so per box�get a Korean teacher to check that out for u.
hope this helps. peace!

[lifeinkorea]

I prefer to sell everything I can and start anew.

[onlyinkorea87]

@ Market Fresh--thanks for the response. I def. don't plan on staying in EPIK or any program like it especially if I have a chance at getting the salary you mentioned.

@ lifeinkorea--that's great, but doesn't really answer the question. Thanks though.

[lifeinkorea]

[MarketFresh]

@onlyinkorea87...anything else u dont like about epik aside from pay...i'm thinkin of going with epik this time...

[onlyinkorea87]

[MarketFresh]

thanx onlyinkorea87

[yingwenlaoshi]

Not posted by me.

[MarketFresh]

where is at yingwenlaoshi? what province?

[yingwenlaoshi]

Not posted by me.

[onlyinkorea87]