Korean Job Discussion Forums

[brokenarm22]

I taught in Korea from 2008-2009 November. I had 2 jobs while I was there, my first job was a disaster from day 1, the school refused medical, pension and sick days (even though the contract offered 3). After a series of disputes, the school agreed I could leave after they hired a new teacher 3/4 weeks. After about 3.5 weeks, I was told not only have they not started to find a new teacher, that I would not be paid for the month I worked until they found a new teacher. I got up and left that very second and moved out of my apartment. After a week of living with my friend, (and dealing with the labor board) I found a new job. I was working there without a VISA as the paperwork was being processed. About 5 or so days after I got my new VISA, my old school owners( an american man and korean woman) started showing up at my new school! (they were on the same block) After the labor bored handed down their decision, which was 1.3m Won to me from my old school, they chipped it down to 186k from various fees and things they said I owned as well as demanding to see my new visa. I told them to shove it and my new boss was mostly on my side.

After a few months at my new school and all of that was settled with my old school, the new school was struggling financially. He paid me late 2 out of 3 months and his wife started treating me very poorly at the other school (they had 2 schools) she would yell about playing the incorrect songs during classes, but those were the songs that were listed in the book and computer CD. Then one day her husband called me into the office and asked why I wasnt teaching the class and I was just asking the names of the students and general questions about their interests and things. I told him it was a warm up before the lesson and he lost it, he kicked his desk and threw a bunch of papers everywhere and got in my face, he had his fist cocked back and told me I better get out of of his office and I was fired! I told him that I needed it in writing according to korean law and my contract. At that point, I was fed up with Korea and left.

Should I try and go back to korea? Would it be foolish?

[wesharris]

You sir are trolling.
I am disappointed in you.

[jonpurdy]

Public School.

[brokenarm22]

I assure you, that story is true. Both Hogwans.

[nukeday]

Not to be an ass, but it might be you (in more than one way). Two nightmare experiences like that in a row? I'm not sure how you pick your jobs or what you are qualified/unqualified for. If you want to come back, consider public schools or a major hagwon chain. Think along the lines of Youngdo or something (it's a crap job in a lot of respects, but they probably won't shut down). At least then you'll get paid.

Hell, maybe Wonderland would be up your alley.

I know, I know, sometimes people get really good deals when they work for a small mom'n'pop, but that obviously isn't working for you.

[brokenarm22]

Well, the first job completely jaded me as to teaching in Korea. The first month was fine, then payday came and the pay was late. After that my attitude wasn't as great as it was in month one, however at the same time, I did my work and showed up on time. While I wasn't the best teacher ever, the kids did learn and have fun.

If I could find a job in Korea that followed the rules in regards to pay and other employee benefits, I would do just fine.

[nukeday]

As I said, go public or go for a reputable major hagwon chain. Ones that I hear less horror stories about are YES Youngdo, SLP, YBM (iffy), CDI (main branches only, not franchises), and PolySchool....at least as far as getting your pay goes. You might get worked like a dog for a paltry salary. Adult hagwons (including split shifts) include Pagoda, Wall Street Institute, and Berlitz...for even less pay, of course.

Whatever you decide to do, best of luck, but no one really knows what you should do except for you.

[Seoulio]

1) if you are employable at home then why would you WANT to come here after those experiences.

2) If you are NOT employable in your home country than so job is worse than a crappy job eh?

hagwons are a crap shoot, but a job is better than no job

[Countrygirl]

You wouldn't be the first person to come back to Korea after saying they'll never come back again. I remember one poster saying "I miss Korea like a bad girlfriend (boyfriend).". I had that exact feeling in Canada which is one of the reasons I came back. Love Canada, but Korea, good and bad, was so exciting.

I came back after 10 years and it was the best thing I did. I really don't want to go back to Canada but it's time to go back to the real world (my husband and daughter want to go back and they're right...it's time). I've enjoyed these 3 years, although not without issues (you can look at past posts) but, in all, almost a holiday compared to working in Canada.

This time I stayed long enough to work through the culture shock and various issues and I feel like this time in Korea was a success rather than a failure. Btw, this time I was working at a public school as compared to a hogwan. I'm not recommending public schools...just do your due diligence and I'm sure you could find a better job than before. Heck, you couldn't do worse, could you?

[byrddogs]

No, you are not crazy for thinking in that way. Korea is a great place.

[Illysook]

I said that I hated Korea and was never coming back. Now I work for a public school in Bundang. My last school was a hagwon in Mohyeon Myeon...basically in the middle of nowhere.

This time, I have everything that I did not have last year. I had the good sense to turn down some of the terrible jobs that were offered, but mostly, this was by pure luck. I contacted recruiters, put my resume on Dave's a couple of times, and finally this recruiter who has been lambasted on this site contacted me and came through for me. The process was a little strange. I was told that I had the job, and yet I still had to make a video "to say hello to the principal" and filling out the application was one of the very last things that I did. It was a formality, done for immi after they'd already decided to hire me.

I now have aa apartment in Sunae that is 3x the size of the one that I had in Mohyeon. A friend of mine from home lives in the same building, and I got to bring my cat. I am going to knock myself out to please my new boss. It isn't difficult to be nice when you are being treated well and don't have to come up with 35 lesson plans each week.

So yes, apply for a public school job and give Korea another shot.

[kpmth00]

If you can complete the long application for public schools, then i think that's your best bet. Hakwons are a dicey bunch, so if you are heading that route, go with a big chain, a corporate branch at that.

[asylum seeker]

Methinks the OP may be leaving out a wee detail or two about his own behavior.

[madoka]

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

Why not Go for it! Eye of the Tiger!