Korean Job Discussion Forums

Maugrim · Joined: 10 Nov 2003

I'm curious what route people took in their applications to public schools. I've taught here for a year and would like to work in a different environment. Where did you find lists of job openings? What qualifications were required?

I've heard that the time to apply is now. Am I correct? Any suggestions?

Thanks.

peppermint · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:44 am Post subject:

Public schools begin their terms in March, so try applying after Christmas, late January or so.

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

peppermint · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 4:24 pm Post subject:

I teach in a public school and was hired in mid April, but my situation was not normal- the guy they hired got cold feet and never got on the plane. I know the other teachers in the school district were interviewed in February though.

I know GEPIK has a website, but I'm not sure if they'll be hiring for the next school year, and I don't have the address on this computer anyway- will post it on Monday though.

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

True. One of my buddies was hired in March or April. I think it was to get him on a 10 month contract to avoid paying severance. But the school resigned him for another year and everything was fine. It has something to do with the school getting a gov't grant and not being part of the EPIK program.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I found my job on English Spectrum and I was hired in late August for the Sept 6 starting date.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Another approach might be direct emailing the provincial supervisors of the epik program. People have gotten on at all odd times of year in my province because national recruitment couldnt provide enough teachers, or someone didnt work out.

A short simple inquiry (their english may not be so good) might bear fruit. Heres a link to their addresses: http://epik.knue.ac.kr/commission.htm

Maugrim · Joined: 10 Nov 2003

Peppermint, would you mind posting that link?

Thanks for the help everybody.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

GEPIK website

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

If you are Canadian, check out Canadian Connection. They will be recruiting for March, probably in a couple of months. www.canconx.com. You can email him and ask exactly when. He recruits for the JLP program in Jeollanamdo. Highly recommended!!!

trevorcollins · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

I started at an elementary school this month.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

if you lack an M.A, a public school job pays no different to a hagwon, only you get to teach classes of 40 of the brats.

CanadaCommando · Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Location: People's Republic of C.C.

trevorcollins · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

I teach both hagwon and elementary school right now.
Personally I think 30 elementary school kids are far better behaved than 6 hagwon kids.
Downside of the elementary gig is the Korean politics. Most of the teachers are very friendly, but there's always a couple that are pissy simply at your mere presence, or the fact the students like you better, or that your English is the best in the school. Whatever. Rolling Eyes

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

I teach at a hagwon and a public elementary school also. I will say that the gig at the public elementary school absolutely destroys the hagwon a million to 1. The kids at the public elementary school are more respectful, better behaved and in general more pleasant to be around. Yes, there are 40 per class on average but I've found classroom control to be very easy. Curriculum is well-planned and lessons are a breeze. One more plus...you get to go on all the field trips that the kids go on...yay everland!
The school I'm at absolutely loves me and as far as I can tell there is only one teacher that doesn't like me for whatever reason. At first I thought that several of the teachers didn't like me but then I discovered they were just afraid to talk to me because they were worried about their English skills. The Principal and Vice-Principal are extremely nice and always invite me into their offices for coffee...the vice-principal even wants to set me up on blind dates because "korean girl berry beautiful" (not really sure if I want to go on dates set up by him....) My co-teacher is absolutely amazing and always goes out of her way to help me or to teach me something new in Korean and whatever. The other teachers always bring me snacks and coffee and always want to share with. Yesteday it was kimbap, the day before it was sweet potato and some rice/bean cake, today it was pizza and coke.

oh yeah....you don't babysit...you actually get to teach!

There are downsides of course. My position is not directly with the public school but rather, subcontracted through a hagwon. This means that I don't get the awesome paid holiday....bummer
I wake up at 6:30 every morning....bummer
I only get paid for a standard hagwon job due to the subcontacting...bummer

--sometimes I feel that I'm being jacked because I'm subcontracted and so forth but I think the positives vastly outweigh the negatives. A reference from a public school is far superior than any hagwon reference in Korea and can be used to persue future university employment. I'm hoping that after I finish this contract I can sign on directly with either this school or another school or start towards a posh uni job.