Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kaj10]

I have an interview with a hagwon that pays teachers 2.6 won (the teaching hours are 10-6 pm.) Maybe I am incorrect, but this seems like a lot of money for a first time teacher in S. Korea. Based on my research, most jobs pay 2.0-2.3 won. The position is in an affluent area of Seoul, but I am still suspicious of the high pay. Should I be? Also, last week I was ready to accept a position at a different hagwon, but I asked the director if I could make some changes to the contract because it was very one-sided and I did not feel that my rights were going to be protected at all. Apparently the director was "upset" by the changes and decided I was not a good match for the school. Has anyone had success revising contracts that seem unfair? Or do people normally just go with contracts as they are and hope for the best? Haha, I am very new to this so any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[Troglodyte]

One of the reasons that many schools like to hire new teachers (or those who have never been to Korea before) is that they don't know much about Korean law or contracts. This comes straight from the mouth of several hogwon owners that I've met.

Apparently once a foreigner has been here for a year or so, they start to wise up to their rights and become less easy to manage.

You did the right thing though. If the contract seems one-sided, it's likely because the school wants it that way to cover their backside and give them the ease of firing or penalizing you. If they don't want to change it, then you can be sure that this is the reason. Don't work for them. Wait for something else to come along.

Regarding your current offer, what are the hours? Is there accommodation? Post it to the contract review sticky. If there's something odd, someone will point it out.

[bobbybigfoot]

Be thankful you spoke your mind regarding the first contract. Any boss that gets "upset" like this is one you want to avoid. You saved yourself a giant headache down the road.

As for 2.6, indeed this is high for a first year. That being said, does the salary come will all the other perks? If so, then follow your gut. Why do they want to pay YOU 2.6 a month? If you have no experience, what are you offering? Are you drop dead gorgeous? Multi talented? If not, it's possible there's a bait and switch happening here. Careful.

It's an employer's market right now, and over the past while, employers are giving LESS not more.

Proceed with caution.

[Hotwire]

That is a lot for a hakwan.

What is the name of the hakwan please? It could be one of the more up market ones and may be a decent gig.

Also are you in your low twenties and from a Good NA university? That would score you more than the average bear for sure.

Re contracts. I edited mine to say I could have 2 more vacation days in summer and winter and sepcified Xmas week off to visit home and the emloyer was okay with it and signed it.

It is possible, but rare though as in Korean culture it shows a lack of good fatih.

[le-paul]

This may not be correct/helpful but a freind of mine got 2.5 first time. That was becasue he was from a really good US uni that was held in high regard by the director.
The problem was - that he also had really high expectations of my friend becasue he was paying him so much.

[jrwhite82]

Post the contract in the sticky above. (delete hagwon name)

[kaj10]

Thanks for all of the responses. I will post the contract as soon as I receive it. The school seems to offer the usual benefits (50% pension paid, 50% medical insurance, up-front round trip airfare, severance pay at the end of the contract, and 2 weeks paid vacation). Yes, I am 22 and a graduate from a top ranked American university, so I guess that may explain the higher pay. Since I don't personally know anyone teaching ESL in Korea, it's difficult to judge whether or not this school is actually legitimate (even though everything sounds good.)

[War Eagle]