Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ModernNomad]

Hello, I know variations of this question have been posted, but I'm looking for work in Korea later this year, and I was hoping I could get some input on whether or not my expectations are reasonable given my experience:

I'm American, 28, been teaching ESL since 2006 in China, Quebec and France (at university, private language schools, and public primary school), TESL from Duke University, BA in linguistics. Those are the basics.

What I'm hoping for is a high school or university job in Seoul for at close to 3mil as possible, including standard benefits, apartment and airfare. I don't want to put off potentional employers by asking too much though. Advice from those who've already been through the process would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

[PatrickGHBusan]

I will chime in.

Universities are out because the term started in March. There will be some University jobs for September but since you have no M.A. and are not in Korea you stand little chance of landing such a position. You can still try however as some people do manage to land these positions.

The 3M salary is pretty high as a target and you might have to adjust your requirements slightly considering the market right now is an employers market with the flood of applicants.

Public School positions will be for September because again, the school year starts in March. You can apply for PS positions for September but 3M will be hard to get unless you are willing to work in a rural area (ex: EPIK pays bonuses to teachers in rural areas). Also note that positions quotas are filling pretty fast for Public School positions through the various programs (EPIK, GEPIK...).

Depending on your goal here, it might be worth it to take a Hakwon position for a year and then apply for a University or PS job from within Korea next year.

Good luck anyway!

[ModernNomad]

thanks for chiming in, patrick. i would start working in september, so i was thinking it would be a good time for public schools. what should a teacher with a few years' experience expect for a HS position around seoul? 2.5?

hakwon is okay for me as well, but i don't want to teach kids. hakwons are mostly kids, no?

i appreciate any input!

[Caffeinated]

Google "EPIK salary levels" and you should get a chart with the salary levels for different education and experience levels. Add the rural placement bonus per month and you got your expected salary.

[noobteacher]

I would say start getting in contact with recruiters ASAP as EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE, etc. are starting to hire for August/Sept spots now. I also agree that you should check out the EPIK/GEPIK pay scales. You certainly won't get 3M but will probably be more around 2.3-2.5 depending on where you go (i.e. extra for rural placement).

[PatrickGHBusan]

[ModernNomad]

Thanks, all!

Patrick, I take it you are still in Busan? I also requested high school in Busan for 2.5. I figure there are plenty of options for making extra money on the side, no?

Thanks for mentioning the EPIK pay scale. That helped.

[PatrickGHBusan]

I am no longer in Busan but lived there for 11 years.

As for money on the side, there are two legal options:


1- Requesting permission to work at a second location. This permission is given by your employer and registered at immigration. However, for a PS position I do not know it that is possible.

2- Work overtime and camps for the PS

The other option you may be hinting at is private lessons. Those are illegal on the E2 visa. Many do still do these but you can get fined and deported if caught.

As for placement in Busan, if you mean through EPIK, it has become tougher in recent years as many applicants put Busan as their first or second placement choice.

Good luck.

[ttompatz]

[PatrickGHBusan]

Tom, as usual, is bang on and clarified some of the things I said. He also added critical information you should consider OP.

[ModernNomad]

It's sucks that they're so uptight about part-time work. In China I had my full-time job at a university (well, a technical institute), part-time at a language school and private lessons. Technically it's not allowed but they know everyone does it. It is that much of a risk in Korea? Arrested?? That's crazy.

I was hoping to teach yoga as well, at least in private lessons.

Tom, it sounds like you got lucky in your situation. Is it normal to be offered all that extra work?

Thanks again!

[jugbandjames]

From my experience looking for a job from outside of SK, the PS seem a little stingy about recognizing your experience. I've got three years of teaching at American colleges and universities, and on my phone interview for a PS they asked me (after having looked at my experience), "So, is it safe to say you have 1 year of teaching experience?" To which I responded, "Um, no. I've been teaching for three years." In the end, he offered to give me credit for 2 years, provided I can procure letters from my previous employers on school letterhead. Needless to say, I'm not taking that job.

Part of the confusion may have been because I taught 16 contact hours each semester, which is full time by American university standards. Although, I did explain my responsibilities, so they ought to have figured it out.

This might not be typical, but be prepared to back up your experience with documentation if you want credit for it. He wouldn't accept pay stubs or W2 forms either, even though they identify me as faculty. I ended up finding a Hagwon that pays more than the PS offered me without the hassle of verifying all of my work experience. It'll probably be more work, but I'd rather do more work if it's also more stimulating (ie teaching instead of sitting at a desk or watching someone teach).

[PatrickGHBusan]

[ModernNomad]

No, it's not crazy to get arrested for doing something illegal. But I think it's crazy to illegalize people from working if they choose to. It seems to me it's my business what I do with my free time. But that doesn't change they way it is. Thanks for the info.

[PatrickGHBusan]