Korean Job Discussion Forums

[war707]

Hi everybody. I was recently offered a job by this school and wondered if anybody has worked there or knows anything about this specific school. I know SLP's reputation overall is not that great, so please refrain from generalization's about SLP as a whole. I have only seen scattered info on this particular school. This would be my first teaching job in Korea and any feedback would be very appreciated.

[wesharris]

SLP is generalized for a very good reason. Sure, there were nice Soviets, but there were also Stalins. Keep in mind that SLP is Stalin's Labor Prerogative .
Avoid it.

[ttompatz]

[war707]

I have read my contract and I'm not desperate for a job, otherwise I would have already taken this one without doing any research. Like I said, I've heard these stories, but I also know not every school is the same. Maybe it is in this case, but firsthand knowledge of a particular school is more helpful than negative opinions of all SLPs, even if warranted.

[whiteshoes]

ttompatz is 100% wrong.

I only say that now, because it rarely happens.

I should know, I worked at SLP in Ilsan. You'll work the same as other people at hagwons, and unlike your friends you'll be paid on time and in full. In fact, if you end up at the Beakma (DongIlsan) you'll be able to meet some of the best Korean people I've ever met. I know one of the teachers there is leaving to try to work at the US State department, and two others are re-signing. Two more are have contracts that end later in the year.

Rarely will you find an atmosphere as good as what is there. Sure, from time to time people have some issues, it is a job after all. But those issues are never serious (like not getting paid or getting screwed out of your medical).

[ttompatz]

[whiteshoes]

[war707]

Thanks for the the info, whiteshoes. I know contracts are usually reserved for that specific section of the forums, but since the "devil is in the details," I thought I'd post this for reference. They were up front in the interview that Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday would be longer days. When I had a question on my contract, I emailed them and they called me from Korea within a half hour. I don't know whether that means anything or not. Anyway, I am a newbie so feel free to tear this apart.

TEACHER OBLIGATIONS

A. Supervision

The teacher will work closely with academic supervisor and other colleagues in the planning, observation, and review of instruction.

As a member of the Institute, the teacher will contribute to the cumulative experience, wisdom, and resources of a team dedicated to developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive program for teaching English to Koreans.

B. Behavior

The teacher should respect the rules and standards of conduct of the Institute (written, verbal and tacit) and obey the laws, regulations, instructions, and ordinances of the national and local governments.

Any teaching or employment other than at the above address shall not be permitted, in accordance with Korean Law. Non-compliance may result in discipline including fines and deportation.

C. Workload

The Teacher will have 120 hours per month. The Teacher is expected to devote no less than 2.5 hours a day at the Institute for lesson planning, student evaluations, teachers� meeting, consultation with parents, and supervision of play. Upgrading one�s professional knowledge and skills is without additional pay. The work week will follow the yearly academic calendar issued by SLP, (Corp) Sogang Univ. The total teaching load including overtime will not exceed 130 hours a month, unless both parties agree.

Staff meetings will be scheduled at the discretion of the Institute Director. Attendance is required. Staff meetings will allow time for discussion of topics of current concern within the program such as new policies, procedures, method of training, instruction, curriculum, and other matters as needed. Staffs are encouraged to help work out practical solutions to problems at these meetings.

There are three or four teacher development courses in a year and they may be on Saturdays. The teacher is to attend the teacher development courses without extra payment.

D. Special Research Projects

Any part of the teacher workload converted to research and development work by the institute will be remunerated according to Section E.




E. Overtime

Over time teaching is paid beyond 120 hours during a month, not a teaching session. Overtime will not be paid on holidays, sick days, or emergency leave days. The assignment of overtime above the regular 120 hours and less than 130 hours is at the sole discretion of the Institute. The over time rate is 22,500 won per one hour.

F. Work Schedule

The work week runs from Monday through Friday in monthly periods. The teacher�s schedule will be assigned by the Institute Director.
There are possibilities that the Teacher teaches special classes in the morning during the summer or/and winter.
In addition, the Teacher may cover sick co-teachers' classes in the morning or in the evening.

TEACHER BENEFITS

A. Monthly Salary

The Institute will pay the teacher a total monthly basic salary on the ninth day of each month. The monthly salary is based on a calendar month, not the monthly teaching session. Korean income tax, National Pension & Medical Insurance will be withheld from the monthly salary.
The institute will pay the teacher half salary for the first two week-orientation.

B. Housing

The Institute will provide each teacher an apartment ( a studio suite). A two-person apartment / house will be provided for a married couple, if both are teaching at the Institute.
The studio (apartment) will contain TV, refrigerator, washing machine, wardrobes, telephone, gas range, beds & Korean style bedding, desks, chairs, and some eating & cooking utensils.

C. Health Insurance

The teacher will be covered by Korean National Health Insurance. According to the government guideline for teachers, the monthly insurance charge will be shared by the Institute and the teacher. Coverage will be from the date of joining to Korean Medical Institute Union, commencing approximately 2 weeks after the teacher�s arrival of Korean due to requirements of the immigration and taxation department. However, it is not mandatory for foreign teachers.

D. National Pension Plan

In accordance with Korean Law, all foreign workers employed by Korean businesses shall pay into the Korean National Pension Plan at a rate of 9% (or the ratio stipulated by the Korean National Pension Law) deducted against monthly earnings with the employer�s contribution of 4.5%.

Refund of the National Pension to a teacher who becomes a compulsorily insured employee, where the Pension Act of the teacher's home country provides the benefit corresponding to the lump-sum refund of the National Pension Plan, the lump-sum refund of this plan shall be paid to the foreigner according to Korean Law.





E. Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Leave

Documented sick leave will be paid for a combined total of 18 hours a year. The teacher should provide the institute with as much advance notice as possible. Unused sick leave may not be converted into any cash payment. If it is found that the hours/days of absence reported as sick leave or emergency leave were not in fact for such purposes, related costs shall be subtracted from the following month's pay. The above leaves will be included in the period of medical care compensation according to the Article 78 of Korean Labor Standard Law.

F. Airfare

The Institute shall pay round-trip airfare between the nearest International Airport to the Teacher�s place applied and Seoul, Korea. Round-trip airfare is provided. One-way airfare is provided at the beginning and end of contract.
In case the Teacher fails to complete the contract the Teacher shall pay back to the Institute the total amount of the air tickets.

G. Teacher Training Program

The teacher shall have a training period before starting to teach in the Institute. The training period will last for two weeks maximum. The period of the training will be different from the situation. During the training period, the teacher will be in the Institute to take the Teacher Training Program (TTP). The teacher will receive briefings from the Academic Supervisor, and the Institute Director, fill out the observation forms and will get acquainted with institute policies. During the TTP time the teacher will receive half the rate of the regular pay.

H. Vacation

The 9-10 days of vacation will be scheduled as per the yearly academic calendar which is decided by the SLP, (Corp) Sogang Univ: normally the vacation would be in the form of one week in the summer and one week at the end of the year. During the vacation the teacher will be paid the basic rate of payment but no overtime will be paid according to Article 47 and 48 of Korean Labor Standard Law.

I. Termination

On completion of one�s responsibilities of the full contact period, an additional month of regular salary per one year shall be paid as completion bonus. However, if the teacher does not complete the full period of one year contract, none of the completion bonus shall be paid according to Korea Labor Standard Law. Completion bonus will be paid by bank transfer no later than one month after the teacher has left the institute. Korean tax will be withheld. Any outstanding debts incurred by the teacher will be subtracted from the completion bonus.
As per Korean Government Visa regulations, the Teacher will be tested for drugs/illnesses (including HIV and TBPE), after arriving in Korea. If the Teacher tests positive, the Institute will terminate his/her contract and the teacher will be deported according to the new visa regulations.

The Institute reserves the right to terminate this agreement for cause with written notification sixty days in advance, and for serious cause without notice. The teacher agrees to give written notification sixty days in advance of intention to terminate this agreement or of interest in renewing it.

PERIOD OF CONTRACT

Although pay starts the day the Teacher starts Teacher Training Program, the effective date of this contract is the first teaching day not training in the Institute. The total period of this agreement is approximately one year, commencing from the first day of the session and finishing on the last teaching day of the teacher�s 12th teaching session. A delay in the Teacher�s arrival at the Institute, or in the opening of a new Institute may call for a re-negotiation of the contract period.

The period of this contract shall be one (1) year

from: Mar 2nd, 2011

to: Feb 29, 2012

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

Monthly Salary 2,100,000 (KRW)
Severance Pay 2,100,000 (KRW) a month Salary per year
*Your compensation will be paid in Korean Currency.

[goat]

A few years ago, I had a friend working there. He was averaging 8 more hours per week at school than I. The big difference that year was: he worked about 400 hours more than I, and I pocketed about 2,000,000 won more than him.

Do yourself a favor and find something better.

[morrisonhotel]