Korean Job Discussion Forums

harixseldon · Joined: 27 Nov 2004 Location: Anseong

Sorry if I'm trying to get people to repeat information they've already given, but doing searches didn't find me what I'm looking for.

I'm happy with my hagwon job right now. I'm about 6 months in, the school is good, my co-workers are good and the director is good. I'd consider staying here longer except the city is way too small.

Anyways, through the hagwon I'm teaching 4 classes a week at a local public school and I'm loving it there. Even though the classes are big I like the atmosphere much better than the hagwon.

On to my point: at the end of this contract I'm going to try to find a public school job. I'm going home for a month or two then off to Thailand to get certified in TEFL.

With a year+ experience here and a certificate, will I be qualified to teach public school here?

Also what are people's opinions on the best way to find public school jobs? Recruiters? Online postings?

It's a while away but I'd like to start planning and thinking about my options.

Plume D'ella Plumeria · Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Location: The Lost Horizon

I'm pretty sure you could get a public school job with your experience. You probably won't get the highest salary of the three levels but you should manage okay.

If you are interested in living in Seoul, I know that they are planning to hire a large number of teachers for their public schools beginning from next August, if that fits your timeline. I know that the Footprints recruiting agency is recruiting for some of those jobs. You might want to contact them and see what they say.

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:34 pm Post subject:

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

You shouldnt have a problem getting a public school job.

Remember though..public school jobs start in either September or March. March being the start of the Korean school year.

Good luck

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:41 pm Post subject:

Plume D'ella Plumeria · Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Location: The Lost Horizon

Well, Dweeb W, now that you've laid your rather heavy editing hand on the trying-to-be-helpful posts that Grotto and I contributed, why don't you do a little helping out of your own and kindly share with the OP your own expertise on the "other ways" to get those plummy public school jobs, such as the one you claim to have.

dulouz · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Location: Uranus

There are 3 types of public schools jobs according to me. You are in an after school program. They can be nice. Low over head and you come to school when everyone is gone.

Formal programs like EPIK and such and direct hire. The latter are the best when you want to be a real teacher and a real part of the machine.

I prefer the first type I mentioned and I will tell you how exactly to get one but it involves pavement pounding (sort of) and quick wittedness oh your behalf.

If you want to live in Seoul, get the list of all of the public schools. Make a good marketing package for yourself with a nice picture, have the letter translated and mass mail them out. Plan on sending at least 50 and tell them you are interested in public school programs. State your ideal conditions and its very likey you will get 3.5 million a month for 20-25 classes a week.

There are some businesses working in this area but try to avoid them. The are a bad lot. I agree with you, these after school programs are the best. It is very informal and you'll have lots of latitude. It will be up to you to make the everything and everyone click but the alternative is hogwan hell so you'll have incentive.

Good luck.

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:12 pm Post subject:

stumptown · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:12 pm Post subject:

Just avoid getting hired for the after school program through a company called Win education. Last year they were KM education. Maybe they still are and they have two names. I don't know. Anyway it was working at a public school, but with a hogwan-like director and manager. Meaning questionable deductions, unfulfilled vacations, immigration problems resulting from shoddy visa processing.

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:17 pm Post subject:

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:21 pm Post subject:

stumptown · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:27 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I agree. However the problem is that we were all nearing the expiration on our visas and were told by the company that if we paid the 100,000 won fine for overstaying. All would be cool. Not so, as there is now a black mark on everyone's record for that happening.
Interesting that you do all the visa processing yourself. I wouldn't think that it would be possible for a foreigner to deal directly with immigration in the processing of a visa.

Daechidong Waygookin · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:42 pm Post subject:

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Sure, you can do it yourself. Big deal...

But you still are required to hand immigration documentation typed by your employers, etc.

I've done it both ways -- by myself, and having the school do it. Personally, if I know the school knows what they're doing, I'd rather save myself the legwork.

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

There are a lot of public\private school positions opening up these days. And as most of the better qualified teachers have been scared away by the ridiculous vacation allowance of two weeks, most schools will take any warm body with a white face.

They are a few programs like EPIK, GEPIK, and Seoul that recruit directly, but most schools go through a recruiter.

The majority of the jobs are in elementary schools, and elementary schools generally pay more.

Salary ranges from 1.9m to 2.5 m, depending on your experience and qualifications, for 20-23 classes a week. Don't believe all the stories you hear about public\private schools paying these huge salaries.