Korean Job Discussion Forums

Prince Frog · Joined: 03 Oct 2005

Ok, another question. I have been offered a position at a public school in Gyeonggi, an hour away from Seoul. I have two other hagwan options, both of which start out at a little higher pay than the public school. However, I was told by a Pusanamy recruiter that after school programs would augment my pay substantially, in the end making the public school position more lucrative. the question is, can I trust him? He assured me that he had double-checked with his boss, and spoken with the principle, and that this would be the case. Furthermore, I have been promised a two-bedroom apt. in addition to all of the other benefits that go along with a public school. Can anyone advise me on this? I am leaning towards the public school gig, but I suppose I am a little paranoid, as I have never been to korea, and am, in all respects, a newbie. Thanks.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

What kind of money is he talking about?

No, I wouldn't trust him when he says that you'll be able to augment your salary.

However, I would gladly take a good public school job for say 1.9 over a crap hogwan for 2.2.

Prince Frog · Joined: 03 Oct 2005

The public school contract offers 1.9, as you say, and the hogwon position 2.1, with the potential for a lot of extra hours and extra pay (which is good). the public school position, according to the recruiter, says that I could pull in around 200,000-300,00 won a month by participating in after school activities. There is no stipulation in the contract to this effect however, and it seems impossible to contact the school as there are no foreign teachers who could provide me with further information. Any suggestions as to how I could go about finding out if this is true or not? And for you experienced public schoolers, what are the chances of making more money in said position legally?

I really want to take the public school job but I want to be sure that I am not going to get the shaft with regard to pay. I hate to be so materialistic, but such is life.

Hobophobic · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:54 pm Post subject:

You can do the after school prgrm and get more money - provided the school sees a need for it.

At my school I teach grade ones and twos, as well as the other teachers who want it for the extra classes.

I do this during the time I am required to be at the school any way (840-440) and still have lots of breaks...ex: now.

The contract is for 22 class hours a week (1 class is 40mins), and anything extra is gravy....

I can speculate the reason for you not being able to contact a foreign teacher as either the school has yet to have one, or the teacher jetted - since hiring was done and most started back in Sept.

As for Hogwon jobs...I stayed at the same place for 4 years prior to this and I won't go into any real detail but simply say...hmm...run away! run away!...but in all fairness there are ups and downs with anything we do...

hope this helped....out..

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Well, if some extra cash is that important, you could make far more doing a few privates a couple evenings a week - probably easier to arrange with a public school job.

Again, not knowing, you're better off taking the public school job; however, nothing's for sure, and there are some decent and cushy hogwans (though a minority).

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Prince Frog · Joined: 03 Oct 2005

Thanks everyone for the advice. Come what may I have decided to go for the public school. With luck I will soon see all of you in Korea.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Be sure to let the hogwans know that you took a public school job for less money because of what you've heard about the hogwan system.

Hobophobic · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 11:28 pm Post subject:

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 4:49 pm Post subject:

And if you take the hagwon job, let the Public School know that you don't want to work there because the pay is lower, and the vacation is only 2 weeks.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

My experience is that it's easy to get extra evening classes and extra pay at a public school (I work at a public high school) Some students pay to take extra evening classes, and I've also had evening classes for adult "citizens" and for elementary age kids. Currently, I do extra classes (either one or two hours - ending by 8:30pm) four evenings a week.

I also think you get a lot more vacation time at public schools when you figure in all the time off during exams ... At the two hogwans I've worked at it was always hard to plan vacations because the director would wait to see what the competing hogwans were doing...

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

peppermint · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 4:40 am Post subject: