Korean Job Discussion Forums

saram_ · Joined: 13 May 2008

Hi all..

I am currently working in an after school program in an elementary school here in Seoul. The job is pretty decent.
I really like the schedule..
I teach from 1-5.15 and on Tuesdays it is 2- 5.15..

This schedule gives me plenty of time to do some other constructive things!!

The one down side is my commute to school takes about an hour in total..(though I picked out the house myself living centrally and its paid for)
The pay is ok and I dont get much or any slack from my after school company.. I have medical insurance too and have 7 days vacation in Summer and Winter. I am not paying pension now.

Anyway- I have been in Korea a few years at this stage and am considering making the switch in September to a full time public school job in an elementary, middle or high school.. but I am not sure if it is worth the hassle of the switch..

What would people recommend who have worked in both kinds of environments..? Are the public school jobs much better than the after school program jobs..?

I know vacation time is one big advantage of the public school system...

Any others?

Thank You

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

Well, I've worked both....It depends on the school or organizations....friends who did the switch did so because they're public school sucked....Public schools do tend to put you close to school but not always.

I prefer public schools, but that's me.

bcjinseoul · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Location: Seoul, Korea

Considering most people in GEPIK and SMOE get just 4 weeks off instead of 2 after summer camps, winter camps, and desk warming...I would not roll the dice. This is the 2nd time in a row I'm at a public school and very dissapointed. You will be too, with mandatory coteaching, only slightly more time off, demo lessons, orientation, workshops, large classes, low levels...not to mention getting up around 6 or 7 in the morning everyday which makes you feel tired all day long...

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 10:04 pm Post subject:

If I had to choose, I would definitely stay in after school. Half the work and the same (if not more) pay as ps teachers.

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:30 pm Post subject:

I don't work after school, I'm ps, but I have a friend doing after school and I am jealous. He works 1-5:15, lives in a nice place near downtown, makes the same as I do. He only gets 10 days of vacation instead of 18 but since he works at multiple schools, he gets a lot of days off for school holidays, floating holidays, testing days etc. But I suppose each program is different and maybe they're not all as good as what he's got.

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

Wow, that does sound nice. Everyone I know who did the program maybe made around what I made but either got peanuts or nothing for a housing allowance. And usually they had to 'make up' those test days and holidays or their pay was docked. So that's my perception of afterschool programs, but I guess there are better ones out there. I covered for one for a week and it was ok, the hours are fantastic, but it seemed a lot more involved with less materials available. To me the only benefit would be the hours, which is huge and I'm also considering the change.

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

I work for one and really enjoy the hours. I have been doing it for a couple of years and so I have prep work for everything. I show up at 12 for school lunch, teach 3 45 min classes a day and 1 55 min class (thursday 3 45 min classes) and I am out of there by 4.40. In fact boredom is becoming an issue.

The vacation for me is the biggest issue. In fact I was going to quit because of it (I wanted a 5 week holiday). I gave my boss 2.5 months notice and the very next day he came to the school and begged me to stay saying he would find a relief teacher.

have you tried simply talking to your boss about it? say you need to go home to visit your family

bcjinseoul · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Location: Seoul, Korea

^

Ok, heres the thing....

When I'm on vacation, I go to bed around 12 and get up at 9. Feel great all day.

When I'm working I go to bed at 11 and get up at 630...and always feel like I could use an extra hour or two of sleep. I could try going to bed at 930 or 1000, but that would just cut into my free time.

I know "real teachers" in the states who get up at 4 or 5 in the morning, like they're in the military. My mom is a librarian at a middle school back home and gets up at 530 am as well. I could never do that. I wouldn't work at an adult hogwon either.

I'm just not a morning person, and don't like going to bed early.

Public schools just don't dole the time off anymore. This is the 2nd time in a row I got 4 weeks off...just 2 more than a hogwon. Better deals out there folks.