Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thebektionary]

Which would you choose?

1)
Elite prep hagwon in Hongdae
2.25 million won a month
2 pm - 9 pm, but 9 am - 6 pm during summer and winter breaks
5 days paid vacation, 5 days unpaid
ages 8 - 15

2)
Elementary school in Bucheon, off of Yeokgok station on Line 1
GEPIK
2.1 million won a month + 4 hours per week of overtime
standard GEPIK hours and vacation

3)
Technical high school in Seongnam, near Bundang, off of Sujin station on the pink line
GEPIK, standard GEPIK hours and vacation
2.1 million won a month

4)
Private Christian elementary school off Gusan station 20 mins north of Hongdae
hours: 8:30 am - 5 pm
pay: 2.2 million won
vacation: 3 weeks per year

I'm having a hard time deciding, but I am not leaning towards the hagwon.

[jrwhite82]

2 or 4. Techincal highschools are notorious for unmotivated students with huge behavior problems.

Check about the Christian School. Is weekend service required? Are you Christian? Why such short vacation for a private elementary school? If these things turn out to be in your favor or acceptable to your lifestyle, this will be your best bet probably. (more freedom to do your own curriculum, high chance of other forgeiners at your school, etc...). But if you are not religious and they really want someone with a strong faith I would pass. Because the pressure will make things uncomfortable for you.

I'm leaning towards 2 because of the good OT opporotunity. That is a nice chunk of extra change every month while classes are in session. But prepare to feel a little isolated at the school as the only forgeiner.

[koreatimes]

Without looking at the contract, they all look fine. The deciding factors would be visiting them in person, checking the apartment conditions, and schedule. Right off the bat, the Christian school appears to have the best schedule. You'll be done by 5pm. However, if that means kindy classes, then it's not for me (personal decision).

You need to talk with schools and visit them.

[thebektionary]

I'm not in Korea right now so I can't visit the schools.

I'm not Christian. I'm Jewish. The school knows that and I don't think they have a problem with it. There's no kindie there. I don't think the hours are so great because it's 8.5 hours a day whereas GEPIK is just 8. Not a huge difference, I know, but still.

I also agree... 2 and 4 are the best. Actually, the high school was my number one choice until I found out that it was a technical high school.

Now, I think my order is:
GEPIK bucheon
Christian school
Hongdae hagwon
GEPIK seongnam

[koreatimes]

[thebektionary]

I chose the school in Bucheon. They offered me the job and it was my number one choice so I took it. To my delight, it's actually a Middle School, not an Elementary School which is great for me because Middle School is (weirdly) my favorite age group.

[isitts]

[koreatimes]

[thebektionary]