Korean Job Discussion Forums

[declan]

Hi. Ive been in korea teaching for 9 months. This was my first time teaching. I dont have any teaching certificates. Just now ive picked up experience teaching all levels from Kindy to Adults from my hagwon.

I enjoy it very much and plan to stay in Korea for a second year. I will move hagwon in April or May after my first contract is up. Even though the job is secure, the money is not as great as other figures ive been hearing.. and the hours are longer than usual for an esl teacher.

So to my query- Ive heard that average pay for teacher in korea is about 2.3 million and many people get paid more than that. Where and how should i look for jobs with that kind of wage?
Ive checked the Korean job center which posts many jobs but they all pay about 2.0. Im looking for a higher paying job and one with not so many working hours.

Is the grass really greener on the other side....

Any suggestions- Thanks in advance!

[sadsac]

The major city areas do offer more, but the cost of living can be higher and often you get an allowance for an apartment, not an apartment. I've been here 4 years and 2.0 - 2.2 is about average for hagwons and between 100 - 120 hours per month. Keep looking for what you want, but make your expectations realistic.

[declan]

At the moment i teach in a small city about an hour from Seoul. My initial pay was 1.9m. After about two months- i started doing overtime teaching in the hagwon which increased my pay.

Also i have some privates here. The downfall is the hours i am working are not healthy... Split shift etc.

Currently i am teaching 40 hours a week which includes, overtime and privates. I have no time for my self during the week and i know that most other esl ers teaching 40 hours would be paid more than me..

[sadsac]

I've never taught split shifts and I wouldn't want too. I treasure my time in the morning, I get out and about on my motorbike and have taken some great photos. There would certainly be jobs out there that would better suit you. Hours wise, the overtime and privates are what you choose to do. You need to find your balance between work and leisure time.