Korean Job Discussion Forums

[imyamy]

Hi, I am a first time teacher looking to go out to South Korea this month, and I have just been offered a job in a school in Busan that is brand new and opening next week (6th Sep). They want me out there as soon as possible (which is good for me as I'm looking for something ASAP). The woman who's opening the school sounded like a genuine person and was nice, and explained that as the school was just opening there wouldn't be any pupils for the first few months, and that my time would be spent helping to develop the curriculum using materials and textbooks that they already had, and recruiting/marketing for new students. I just wanted to see if anyone has any advice on starting a job in a new school like this, especially for a first-time teacher. For me it sounds like a good opportunity to see how a business is started, but at the same time, perhaps there are some risks involved with lack of students in the first few months potentially meaning lack of salary?! Help!

[DaHu]

I am quite surprised that they would hire a first time teacher in a brand new school. It seems like they'd want someone experienced to help develop the curriculum. Do you feel comfortable doing that? This seems like it would cause me heartburn.

Probably some demo classes for students of many different levels.

If the first month's salary is late, I'd take that as a sign to move on, but other than that, I would think money probably isn't an issue.

Not having worked (or heard of) a startup before, maybe I'm off on that one. I'm sure someone will have a horror story about it.

[imyamy]

Thanks for your reply. The woman who's opening the school who interviewed me did explain that there wouldn't be a huge amount for me to do for the first 3 months or so, and my hours probably wouldn't be as much as the normal 2pm-8pm that I would be doing once they started getting some students enrolled. She didn't try to hide the disadvantages of getting bored whilst there weren't many/any students to teach, and for the first 6 months I would only get 2 million won, rising to 2.2 after 6 months. She did say that if I was bored I'd be able to teach her young son who would be around a lot! And part of my time would be going to the elementary school across the road and doing some kind of marketing activities to try and get some students from there!

[litebear]

[schwa]

The owner might indeed be genuine & nice & it sounds like she's budgeted for a tuition-less few months. What I dont get is a) why she would want to take on a "first time teacher" so early & b) how on earth would you go about marketing yourself & the school when (no offence) you dont know what you're doing.

Might make sense if she was hiring someone with some know-how but I have to question her savvy. Good luck if you go for this, you'll likely need it.

[shifty]

Agree with litebear.

Your brief will be beacon to attract students. When this doesn't happen, the finger will be firmly pointed at you. The director will then have no compunction in short and late paying you.

If she thinks a greenhorn can make such magic, rope in new students willy-nilly as well as retain them, she is probably deluded in other areas as well.

In first job, it's nice to have a fellow foreigner to observe and see what it's all about. At the end of your stint at this new place, whether it be 6. 8 months or a whole year (god be praised) you might find your teaching skills are still iffy, b/c there was too much self-development, like in a bubble.

You won't be starting at 2. You'll be standing at schoolgates at 12.50pm, dishing out flyers and things.

If you do end up taking it, at least you'll have time to work up some excellent games and scouring resources.

[tortugaverde]

Your post reminds me of my husband and I a few months ago. Hired by a new school, had to be here quick so quick in fact we are just starting to process our work visas!
My two cents is not to take the job. We are in the exact situation you are concerned about. Our school has been open for two weeks and advertising for a year (just found out about that part)... and we have a total of 8 students 1 of which is our child and two others are another teachers kids. We are starting to become concerned about pay and such although they are a very wealthy, there has to be a point in which they will cut their losses.
Good luck with whatever decision you make

[ttompatz]

Experienced teacher + new school with knowledgeable boss = doable.

Experienced teacher + new school with new boss = exercise in futility.

New teacher + new school = recipe for disaster.

Just my humble opinion.

Refuse the offer. There are so many ways you can get burned before you are pillorized and too few ways you may succeed.

.

[Jotun_Symph]

That's definitely not a normal teasching situation, so not a lot of people can give you great advice on it. The two most important things are your pay and hours: no matter what happens, you need to get paid on time the same amount every month, and your working hours must be clearly stated. Other than that, I think there are some advantages to this job. You're the first foreign teacher there, so (hopefully) you will set the precedent on how to do your job....the Korean co-teachers will respect you more than if you were a replacement teacher...But there a lot of risks also. If the boss doesn't seem shady or underhanded (which you can never really know until you see how she does business) then I would do it.

[litebear]

[ontheway]

If you're up for an adventure, you're flexible, you are open to a variety of changing classes, can create interesting lessons for any level and any number of students on the fly, can create lesson plans, visit schools, promote, smile and bow and work early, late and on weekends when asked, don't really need money so you can live without being paid for a few months, don't mind if some of your first few months' pay never comes, don't mind if your great adventure ends early with you partially or mostly unpaid ... If you can go through all of this, happy and jolly for the learning experience and great adventure it will be - then go for it.

[isitts]

[imyamy]

Thanks for your replies. I feel that as a first time teacher I should be starting off somewhere well established. And I can't really afford to take the risk of not getting paid for several months! As there seem to be plenty of other schools that I can work at I will look for something else I think.

Thanks again

[litebear]

[amck]

I just got offered an interview for this place. Think I'll keep looking.