Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jordan43022]

It seems all the positions I've been offered recently (ie since starting my job search) are in this ballpark, one even wanted me 9-7:30 mon-fri for only 2.1 million!

I of course declined but now I've been offered a position at a school in Ilsan, 2.9 mil a month with the same 9-7:30 schedule (10 classes a day I think).

Is this the best I"m going to get? Should I take it? It seems like the threads I've managed to search up people are saying no more than 20-25 classes a week is standard but I've yet to be offered a job anywhere close to that.

[Daelim]

Don't do it, far too many hours to be working in a teaching kids job.

It's alright doing 10 hour days in most other jobs but trust me, 10 hours a day managing classrooms of children will take it's toll fast.

[Bruce W Sims]

[jordan43022]

Thanks for the input Bruce.

I am no stranger to long hours, in fact I currently work 8-5 painting homes outdoor Monday through Friday for $15 an hour.

I guess in my mind it is playing out like this however:
10 hours a day, 50 hours a week, 200 hours a month for 2.9 mil.
Thats ~14500 per hour.

These 25-30 hour a week jobs (which again, I've only been told to hold out for) are 30 hours a week, 120 hours a month.
That's 17500 per hour if I'm only making 2.1 mil

A significant difference unless I'm not taking into account something I should?

[Bruce W Sims]

[liveinkorea316]

OP you said you "think" it is 10 hours of classes per day.

That is in fact highly unlikely. I have actually never heard of that.

More common is a 10 hour period during which you must teach say 5 or 6 hours of classes. The other hours are prep hours when you are able to come and go as you please. So I would not say it is as if you are working 10 hours, but that your first class may be at 9am and last class finishing 7:30pm. Between that you may teach 6 hours and mark and prepare for 2.

[jordan43022]

I've actually had the interview and asked just that.

I'm at the school from 9-7:30 the schedule looks like this:

Prep time in the morning 9 until:
� 9:50 to 1:30 Kindergarten (4 classes)
� 1:30 to 3:00 Afternoon Preparation Time
� 3:00 to 7:30 Elementary School (5-6 classes)

classes are 40 minutes with 10 or 15 minutes between. that afternoon prep time includes my lunch break I think.

I'm not ready to reject the position outright, it seems like an opportunity to save a lot of money.. but, of course, money isn't everything. and as above (if my math is right) I'd actually be making less per hour than a lower paying, fewer hours job.

One thing I do like about the longer-hour position is that the contract guarantees I'll never have to work outside of the scheduled times (no overtime). and only 2 Saturdays a year for a kind of national all school conference thing.

[ssuprnova]

9:30-7:30 is complete BS. It basically means you have to be up by 8 and in bed by midnight, leaving you with a grand total of about four hours a day to commute, do your grocery shopping, chores, odd errands, and, well, have a life. God forbid you'd want to pursue a hobby, exercise, or have fun on weekdays.

Also, 10.5 hours a day is brutal. 2.9mln seems like a lot of money but quite honestly you'd be better off getting a normal gig (6-8hrs a day) and, for example, taking up Saturday classes. I'm not talking privates, either. Due to the law that hagweons can't teach past 10pm many institutions are switching to a M/W/F and T/Th/Sa schedule, however few foreigners are willing to come in on Saturdays. This is your chance to get 30-50k/hr provided you're willing to sacrifice a few hours of your weekend.

Even though in reality the job might require you to teach "just" 5-6 hours a day most hagweons will also make you do a lot of busy work, like grading endless assignment, writing reports, and, in some cases, calling the kids at home. If you're lucky you'll get a relaxed gig where you come and go as you please. If you're not, well, you might find your boss timing you to the second so that you don't go over your 30-min dinner break. Talk with the teachers (notice the plural) currently working there before committing to anything.

edit: just saw your post. 10 classes a day? Kindy and elementary? Wow, you'd better be Superman or Wonderwoman for that kind of job. Also, kindy in the morning == you being dead tired by the time elementary classes start.

As for saving as much money as possible, this is entirely up to you... I'm only twenty-something once in my life though

[marsavalanche]

[Riker]

10.5 hour days are not even in the realm of possibility for teaching children.

You will be exhausted by the 1st week.


*** Riker 2.0 back from the dead Biatches ***

[ibeattheborg]

Welcome back Riker 2.0. Are you ready to be assimilated now?

[Riker]

Thanks.

As long as I get sexually assaulted by the borg chic from First Contact, then I'm down.

[jordan43022]

Thanks for the replies everyone you've helped reinforce what my gut was already telling me.

The same school offers a shift 1-9 that is much more appealing, I've just sent a message turning down the first position and asking if they can offer me anything on the afternoon shift.

[northway]

[ttompatz]