Korean Job Discussion Forums

[persephone]

Hello Everyone!

I know this is kind of shot in the dark, but I was hoping you might be able to help me narrow down my search with a few recommendations for what sort of teaching situation I should look for and location I should aim for.

ABOUT ME

I have 5 years combined classroom teaching experience: 4 years in private language schools in Taiwan, and 1 year in French public elementary schools. I've taught all ages, from 4 years old to 60 years old, and all levels. I have a Bachelor's degree from a well-known university in the US, but no Master's degree or TESOL. I'm 31. I don't speak any Korean yet, although I do speak a fair amount of Chinese.

MY PURPOSE

I'm tired of teaching and planning to go to grad school next year to become an interpreter (Spanish-English-French). I'm going to South Korea for the sole purpose of making as much money as possible in a short amount of time.

DESIRED TEACHING SITUATION (unless you give me better ideas)

--No more than 25 teaching hours a week. No office hours. No grading books.

--No kindergartens. No Saturdays. And no performances.

--One location. Block hours with no more than 1 hour between classes.

--A schedule that starts after 9:30 and ends no later than 7:30. (So, maybe something like 9:30-3:30, or 2:30-7:30.)

--I'd like to see the same group of students more than once a week so I can feel like I actually know them and see that they're progressing.

--STABLE. I want to work for a school that pays on time, won't see any sudden decreases in hours as a result of a decline in customers, and rarely loses teachers in the middle of their contracts (either as a result of hasty firing, or dissatisfied teachers quitting early).

--I want to start working in June.

DESIRED LOCATION

I'm a big-city girl who's been living in smaller cities--and even the country-side--for the past few years to save money. I can't take it any more! I'm moving to the capitol city this time! SEOUL HERE I COME!

Please give me some advice on the three best neighborhoods that might meet the following criteria:

--a grocery stores selling Western food products.

--bookstores and libraries with a wide selection of books in English.

--near a university--preferably one that offers classes in linguistics, French, and Spanish.

--a nice public park, and possibly a not-too-expensive gym.

Well, that's it for now. Thanks for reading through this long message. I know it's not likely that I will find everything I'm looking for in one school or neighborhood, but I'll appreciate any advice I can get. I look forward to reading your responses soon!

[andrewchon]

Well, three ritzy areas are Gangnam (Seoul), Anyang, Bundang (a little out of Seoul).
The hours you've stated and things that you're looking for suggests that you won't make much and won't save much of that either. You'll have to make a choice of either making money (lots of hours and work) or city life-style.
There are teachers who has all you've stated but they've been here for a while and have built up connections to have that.
Biggest salaries are in Gangnam teaching SAT.

[persephone]

[Satchel Paige]

I recommend Hongdae, Shinchon or Itaewon. great nightlife, access to good bars and restaurants. If that can't work, then maybe Jongno or Dogdaemoon or somewhere directly south of the river near Itaewon, Hannam would be cool

[andrewchon]

OP: Those three areas are where the rich live, consequently prices are higher (relatively). e.g. Housing allowance are usually 400,000won. Seoul is 500,000, Gangnam is 900,000 won.
Your preferred hours of work are not prime-time. If you want high-fee paying students then you've got teach when they want you, not the other way around. So that means teaching up to 10 PM and maybe on weekends.
I think you know what living frugally means.
What I mean by connections is networking
-spouse network: F-2 visa holders can work several PT jobs work less and get paid more
-friends network: who do you think gets the lucrative corporate gigs?
-university: most desirable uni jobs can be had if you know the right people
-private tutoring: E-2 visa holder (which you will be) can't do private tutoring. I can't say anymore on that subject on this site than that, but hmmm... do you think E-2s do PT?
These things are built up over years, they won't be handed to you on a plate.
So, that's what I mean. I don't think you will have any problem getting a job in Gangnam. You can get the working conditions you want. You'll save about 1 mil won/month. You can make a bigger chunk of change working prime-time, but you're not after that, are you?

[lifeinkorea]

I agree with Satchel Paige's advice.

I haven't seen many books with a good selection of books in English. In fact, when I first came here, I couldn't get a Korean to English dictionary. Since I know Japanese, I got a Korean to Japanese one

Near Gwanghwamun station, there is a big Kyobo bookstore. When you get offers, you can ask which station the school is near. If it is close to Gwanghwamun station, then you can easily go to Itaewon when you need Western stuff.

[persephone]