Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Daechidong Waygookin]

I would consider these to be right up there with Uni gigs. However, why are there such huge differences between the jobs? I look at the GEPIK system and the money seems awfully low to me. I was hired for a public school job through the district office and the difference in pay is substantial. Is there a reason why?

[mack the knife]

There are substantial differences. For one thing, GEPIK hires "co-teachers", not teachers. There's a huge difference. In the GEPIK program, many teachers are merely English mouthpieces for their Korean partners (although it is true that some teachers have their own classrooms or Korean co-teachers that do little or nothing). A GEPIK teacher might speak only 3 words during the entire class, if the Korean co-teacher wants it that way (highly unlikely, but it does happen). Another difference is hours. GEPIK teachers put in only 22, forty minute classes a week.

Those are a couple of advantages of the GEPIK thing. The disadvantages include limited paid vacation time (14 days), long days (8:30-4:30, not working hard, necessarily), and the fact that you aren't in control of your own classroom (usually, and many would even say this is a positive aspect of the program).

On a side note: A couple of my buddies worked at private elementary schools. They received some 3 months paid vacation the first and second years. Then it all went to hell.

[Daechidong Waygookin]

I dont have a co-teacher. Its all me for 40 minutes. The homeroom teacher may or may not be in the class with me. But I do all the teaching. I prefer that. Its my class, I decide what to teach and how the class goes.

I dont know if its a disadvantage or not but I dont follow the national curriculum. The curriculum is 100% up to me. I have to make the lessons, choose what to teach and map out the entire plan. Its been a bit tricky planning it so that its not too easy and not too hard and so that all the students can hadle the material. But Ive got it kind of figured out now.

I will get the whole winter and summer vacation off too, which kicks butt. I had a grand total of 5 days off at my hagwon. This is like night and day.

[adventureman]

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[Daechidong Waygookin]

but from what ive seen of the uni gigs, the pay is not that good. The money compensates for the kids. Also, the kids behave differently in public schools and hagwons. They are much more respectful and polite here than at a hagwon, where they are basically allowed to be as bratty as they want.

[Grotto]

yup here in public school you actually are allowed to discipline the kids. And! My co-teachers and homeroom teachers (90%) back me up all the way. One is just way laid back and doesnt believe in discipline and the other appears to be ruled by menopause. One day the kids can do no wrong the next I'm wondering if I will have to pull her off the poor kid on the recieving end of her tantrum.

Its a different set of headaches in a public school though, usually brought on by the beaurocracy outside of the school ie: GEPIK.

[Daechidong Waygookin]

I guess Im lucky, in that I dont deal with EPIK or GEPIK. I was hired by the ��û directly. I know that most people who are working at public schools are doing it through the EPIK or GEPIK program. I am curious if anyone else has a public gig but not within the framework of EPIK or GEPIK.

And the discipline thing is a huge difference. Kids do not mouth off at public schools. They know the consequences. I was terrified of taking this job. I imagined a hogwon situation but with 40 kids and it made me break out in a cold sweat. But the reality is different. 40 kids at a public school are much easier to control than 10 kids at a hellwon. They have clear boundries and consequences. And I am allowed to keep them in line. I have to since Im flying solo here.

[adventureman]

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[Daechidong Waygookin]

Is 2.3 the TOP pay level?! Geez... Is there no way to earn more?

I would never work at a kiddie hagwon either. Never again. It wasnt bad while I was doing it. But now that I have gotten out and experienced a public job, I know that the term hellwon is quite fitting.

[adventureman]

[peppermint]

I teach at an elementary school, and technically, I'm an employee of the city- not the school board, or any program. Like you I teach most of my classes independently, today, one of five teachers showed up. I was told to use the curriculum, but just handed the books.

I don't actually mind doing the prep and teaching by myself, but I teach in a poor area and a lot of my kids have little or no English background, and it's pretty hard to explain the past tense without some explanation in their first language.

[Daechidong Waygookin]

I didnt use a recruiter. I found the job on Dave's actually. Basically I was interviewed by a person employed at an institute (not a hagwon) that is partnered with a large university in Califrornia. They interviewed everyone and decided who to hire. I am paid by the school I work for but the money comes directly from the district office. 3 other teachers were hired as well. I was told that 120 or 140 people were actually interviewed. So the competition was stiff. I imagine they got over 1000 resumes. As for the money, I get more than 2.4, though I get the minimum amount that was offered. I think that some other people may be making more, I remember that the maximum offered was 2.7 mil.

I have talked with one of the other teachers and she has to teach from the official book. I was told that what I teach is ALL up to me. I am still fine tuning my act, buying new books and incorporating different activities and stuff.

Even though I have to prepare everything, it is much easier work and LESS work than at a hagwon. I basically prepare 4 classes a week, and teaching with a plan is a breeze. Then again, its a necessity. I cant imagine trying to wing it with little or no preparation like I did at hagwons. Id get eaten alive. I do have plenty of time to prepare though, seeing as Im here until 4:40 every day. Even hough Ive got my lessons done all the way through wednesday of next week, Ive got to be here one more hour. That kinda sucks.

[kermo]

[Daechidong Waygookin]

Im happy that so many of you guys missed the public school ad that was placed here:) less competition and I got the job heheh.