Korean Job Discussion Forums

[captain kirk]

Someone I know mentioned they work at a Posco (big Korean steel company) English teaching job. I'd like to know how to get a haggie job working for Posco (I think , and down in Kwangyang.
All I know so far is;
-There are two steel towns, Pohang and Kwangyang.
-I've been to Kwangyang and seen it, the city.
-The housing is apparently really good, like a suburb.
-They hire in March.

That's it, all I know. What are the pros and cons of working teaching English for Posco? Any contact info and advice re; getting on there? Kwangyang specifically (yeah, I know, it's 'out in the boonies' . But I have a good reason for wanting to be there).
Thanks.

[just because]

Kwangyang is a bit of a boring place but the POSCO gig is good.

Basically its very hard to get because nobody leaves or they recommend their friends (I know because my friends father works there as section manager) or do it internally.

Its one of those jobs where they case of who you know is more important than what you know.

An idea would be to just go there and ask about it. Might be a hassle but I'm pretty sure they won't advertise the position so better to go there directly.

[kylehawkins2000]

I've seen them advertise positions in Pohang before on this website. Did you know that there is a POSCO office in Seoul? It's between Samsung and Seollung Stations. It's huge. I'm sure they hire teachers there. If you have a Korean friend you might ask them to call the HR department there and see if you can find a contact somehow.

[Sucker]

The POSCO head office in Samsung outsources their English training to Hanguk University of Foreign Studies.

I worked on parts of the English section of their website last year.

[captain kirk]

Thanks, man
Yeah, I've been to Kwangyang, and it looks like a really hick place to live, like really . But I've got a motorbike to get out and about and enjoy the natural scenery. A metal detector to look for relics in the forest and along the coast nearby. But the real reason I want to live and work there (besides there perhaps being 'perks' to a Posco job), and you're gonna shake your head, is that there's an abandoned golf course there. Yes, that's right, Posco built a golf course as a perk for employees but it's abandoned, big bucks down the drain. I'm really into pitching and making boomerangs but the biggest field in Ulsan is fit for 60 meter 'rangs tops. There are 'rangs, made of material like computer circuit board, called G10 (a composite plastic) which can out-and-return one hundred meters and up. There's a website called 'b-aggressive' devoted to long distance 'rang hurling. Somebody's got to do it

[Cherry Ripe]

Are you interested in teaching the adult employees of POSCO or working in the POSCO schools (teaching children of employees)? I worked in the latter in Kwangyang for one year. It's financially rewarding but hard work. You are responsible for 40 students (no co-teachers). They regularly hire - I see them advertise on Dave's every year. (In my year they sacked most of their teachers, despite the teachers being committed and experienced.)
I have only seen the POSCO adult job advertised once in my 5 years in Korea. And no wonder!

[captain kirk]

Really . Sounds like they think only the best will do. And they have the resources not to have to worry about the cost of replacing someone they give the boot to.
40 is a lot of kids. With no co-teacher it's not a public school job, more like a hagwon. The school board doesn't have as much money to throw around getting 'the teacher who won't mess up'.
Would you say the things that are tolerated, backbone in a f-teacher, in a hagwon wouldn't be tolerated there because they have a big budget?
Sounds like Saudi Arabia.
I'd say, with forty kids, it wouldn't be as effective as a hagwon. So what's with that? Sounds economical on their part, putting forty kids in a class and calling it English instruction. That kind of situation, big classes, moves parents to put their kids in haggies.
Assuming I wanted to gamble on my ability to be graceful under the wrong kind of pressure, politically saavy in that atmosphere, and so on, what are the perks? Are there perks?
Why did those techers get sacked, did you think it was for legitimate reasons? You say this was in spite of their being experienced and committed. Jeez, care to elaborate (I'm not sure if I want to hear about it Good on you for making your way
I've always taught kids in haggies, so I'd want to be doing that for Posco.

[Cherry Ripe]

The POSCO schools were set up to cater for the children of the POSCO employees. The schools are run by POSEF (POSCO Educational Foundation). They are (in my opinion) well-financed with many facilities: at my school they had a mini-zoo and a planetarium!
The students from Grade 3 and up had English twice a week - once with the Korean English teacher and once with me. I was supposed to use the prescribed texts for the upper grades but chose instead to take out the main points and build my lessons around those.
I don't think this job is for the faint-hearted: you are teaching a regular elementary school class of 40 or so. While you do this, the classroom teacher has a break. In every class at least one student had some disability - including behavioural or emotional problems. This added to the challenge. I have to say by the end of that year I was exhausted.
There were 22 classes a week (no Saturdays). We had to do one week's camp in the summer and winter. The rest of the vacation time was ours.
Like many Korean institutions they seem to be more concerned with your appearance: the teachers who were asked to leave were older, in this case 50s and 60s.
The living environment looks attractive but don't forget you are living near a steelworks. When the wind blows in a certain direction you will smell it!
The schools are generous - great gifts at Chuseok, free movie tickets (there's a cinema on the estate) - little things like that.
I think its a good job for someone with experience teaching kids - there are middle schools and high schools there as well.
Can't think of anything else at this point.

[kiwikorean]

Actually the Head Office for POSCO is in Pohang. The building in Seoul is only an office builing for the company, but the main HQ are in Pohang. I am currently working for POSTECH. This is a university owned by POSCO, it is well known internationally for its scienc and technology studies. If you want a job with POSCO, I suggest you call the Pohang HQ. The staff here are very friendly and helpful.

[captain kirk]

Good idea, thanks.

[Blue Meanie]

I am currently working for a POSCO school and love it. The area we live in is lovely, walks to go on, greenery everywhere-no neon in sight! My apartment is huge and really nice, as said before we get great perks...10 weeks paid vacation each year, bonus and yearly add on gifts...it realy is great.

They treat you well....you really get looked after...the only downside is the 40 kids per class, but i can honestly say you do get used to it.it certainly is challenging!!!!!! and it is true, everyone renews their contracts as i don't think you could find another job with such good perks...well i didn't anyway!

But, yeah the head office is in Pohang, give them a call and enquire...but i know for sure the teachers here in Pohang probably are not leaving next year! so try Gwang yang! and it's not that bad down there!!!!!

good Luck!

[whatthefunk]

God bless Pohang. POSCO used to be right in my back yard! If only all of you could be so lucky!

[captain kirk]

Blue Meanie, you're not such a meanie after all. What the Funk, dirty Pohang, no wonder you look like that, hunchbacked and googlyeyed. Then again, I got a job.

[whatthefunk]

[Blue Meanie]

I don't think the air is that bad in Pohang. And to be honest with you i live d in Gwangyang before this and Pohang is such a nice change! There is plenty to do and see, and we live so close to Busan and Daegu......The factory is a bit out of the way from where we live and it's beautiful where my school is so no complaints!