Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LadyD]

Hey Kids,
This is my first post, Buuut. Yes, So I got a job offer from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education to teach at a public. I JUST graduated from college, and have limited experience teaching ESL at public elementaries in the US.
They are offering 1700 000 won per month (which I interpret as 1700.00 US per month), 40 hours a week, but only 24 of actual teaching. 2 weeks vacation on top of the breaks for national holiday. My family is adament that I live in Seoul, but I really have no preference. What do you all think? I would really appreciate some feedback from those already in the field. I feel like I could make more teaching in a private, but my familly assumes that it would be unstable work. What is everyones opinion? Thanks! Feedback is much appreciated.

Ms. D

[Bulsajo]

Salary is low. What about housing?

[LadyD]

Yeah, they are offering me free single or shared housing, otherwise a 500 000 stipend for me to find my own.

thanks
-D

[gochubandit]

oooh if ur korean-am/can/etc. get an f-4 and do privates and hagwons. i think u can get away with it easier. but that's just what i heard.

[LadyD]

I have already been offered the job by the SMOE, and they would help me with the visa, so that shouldn't be an issue.

I am American (my dad is Korean, but I was born and raised in the states). But I hear that teaching at privates is insecure. Is that usually the case? My family seems really concerned with that.

thanks

[gochubandit]

ehh yeah maybe. you should probably ask others on the board, but from what i garner, overall they average out to about the same. you can get screwed either way becuase they can pull the same type of BS on you (withholding money, typical sketchy korean employer tactics, etc.)

but it seems like privates make more money and with an F-4, if they fire you, you don't have to do the visa run if you had the E-2.

are you half or full korean? if you got family in korea, now's the best time to get a hold of em. family hook ups go a loooonnnngg way here.

gyopos unite!!!

*edit*

strongly suggest you read the sticky about F-4 visas. having one of those instead of an E-2 can potentially save you a LOT of trouble with employers.

[Derrek]

VERY low salary for the hours worked.

You should be looking at a minimum of 2,000,000 won per month plus housing, compared to what others have on this board.

Talk about low-balling! And you have ESL experience back home to boot!

[peppermint]

Wow, the offers just keep getting worse for public schools.

Pay is low, vacation time is low ( the kids get close to 4 months vacation- what will you be doing while they're off?) and possibly shared housing too!

Kyopos some times have a rough time finding work here, but I'm sure that you can do better than that.

[Ekuboko]

[sheba]

Low pay! Seoul is expensive. Public schools have large classes as well.

Depends on your preferences....

I have no experience and I didnt even apply for jobs under 2 mil. Sounds like youll be worked to the bone... 40 hours!!

I have 26 45-50min classes per week, an hour prep time before classes start, class size of 3-14 students (average about 6) and 2 mil per month. At the absolute most, I spend 7 hours at my institute and that includes a free dinner, and staying afterwards to chat to other teachers for a bit.

[eamo]

You can get paid more at a kiddie hagwon (private language school) and teach classes of less than 12 students. Get your teaching experience the easy way.

Public school teaching is a daunting prospect for a 1st timer.

[LadyD]

Yeah, so there are no real upsides to working at a public? Well, no $300 upsides? The recruiter I spoke with made it sound like it was difficult to find a job in a private because they might discriminate against teachers with Korean heritage (Im half Korean half Mexican-American). He also made it sound like the privates would demand way more out of their teachers, like 30 hours of teaching a week and a hectic lifestyle.

I feel kind of pressured to respond soon. Orientation would start mid August.

thanks again

[eamo]

Most people do an average of 25 hours teaching per week in private academies (hagwons).

30 hrs per week is possible but rare.

The lifestyle is as hectic as you want to make it!!!

Remember, the recruiter wants you to sign for this job so he can get his fee. He may not tell you all the facts if it doesn't suit him/her.

If I was a recruiter I certainly wouldn't put a first-time-teacher into classes of 35 plus. You need to learn a lot about classroom management to handle that kind of situation.

[FUBAR]

[zappadelta]

LadyD, why do you keep saying "in a private?" That is so strange.