Korean Job Discussion Forums

wannago · Joined: 16 Apr 2004

I'm asking for the wisdom of the board members! I have recently received my first contract for Korea and I would like to know what you all think. I will just give you the highlights and any areas I'm wondering about. Thanks in advance.

First, it is for a public elementary school in Pyongtak. 2.3 million won/month. Seems to be standard for housing, 50-50 insurance, severance, etc.

Hours: 8:40 - 4:40 M-F, 22 40 min. classes per week. OT=20,000/hr.

One concern is I have to pay for one-way flight and they will reimburse. Not sure what to make of that. Another is that they will take out 200,000 per month for the first three months for an outstanding bills deposit. Is this something that you would find acceptable?

Are there any other issues I should be considering but aren't listed here? Thanks a lot for any advice you want to give!

slap it · Joined: 21 Jan 2003

salary is good. hours look good. overtime rate looks good. reimbursement of airfare - i would ask to speak to another foreign teacher there. deposit for three months - i would ask to speak to another foreign teacher there. talk to someone who works there now and try to get the scoops, cause the terms they are offering are not bad.

osangrl · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Location: osan

ya tell them to screw on the 200 deposit a month for 3 months, but other than that looks good.

Ive always paid my own airfare and been reimbursed no problem... and one AMAZING thing is that the job is in Pyongtak!!! You'll be with me! Wink

hadeshorn · Joined: 30 Jul 2003

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Hey if you dont want it i'll take it Wink

It is a good contract and because it is with a public school through a government sponsered program I dont think you will have any worries.

The 600,000 won deposit is a pain but hey you get it all back at the end of the year as long as you havent trashed your aparment or run up a swackload of bills Exclamation

Go for it.....I would love to get a job like that Crying or Very sad

peppermint · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 6:29 am Post subject:

The contract sounds good but public elementary schools are a bloody rough place for a newbie. Isolation cause you'll be the only foreigner, constant cultural missunderstandings- especially if you're their first, and lack of ability to communicate with the kids until you learn some Korean.

If you've got some classroom experience you might be fine, but run a search on "public elementary school". Read some of my and adventureman's posts on our experiences. Keep in mind that I've been here two years, before I started at the public school, but he dove in head first.

Ask about having co-teachers in the classroom at all times, ask about how closely you'll have to follow the standardized curriculum, ask if you'll have your own classroom, and what resources yo'll have on hand.

Good luck and feel free to PM me with any questions.

wannago · Joined: 16 Apr 2004

Thanks for the opinions. I've decided to accept the contract!

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Looks good wannago.....good luck.

I hope it all works out for you.

adventureman · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

I'm really curious what your experience will be like with this job, wannago. Keep me posted.