Korean Job Discussion Forums

liehtzu · Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Location: the sticks, Korea

Hi all. I keep posting these because I keep running across these job offers and always, in the end it's I can't always get what I want, there's always some hitch that leaves me dissatisfied. So I'm about to settle for one in Jinju. Heard nothing but good things about the town, it's not far from the beach, not far from Busan... the location's ideal. Talked to the foreign teacher there who I'll be replacing and he says he's been for 15 months and would stay if he didn't have things to take care of back home. Sounded like a laid-back sort of fellow, says that although I'd be the sole foreign teacher there I'd get a fair amount of autonomy, the classes are small (just kiddies), the boss is relaxed enough, Korean coworkers a lot of fun. And the contract is pretty cut n' dry. All in all it sounds fine.

But I've been teaching for three years - one in Korea, one in Thailand, one in Vietnam, and taught university students, adults, Business English, TOEFL and TOEIC prep courses - and I don't know if I'm being unrealistic but I kind of hoped to get something more than 2.0 mil on my return to Korea. Plus I'm only offered 7 days vacation and they seem unwilling to budge on that, even up to ten. Now I understand that any extra vacation days I take means the school shuts down, but only SEVEN? In a whole year? It hurts to think about. I've pretty much told them I'd take the job if they'd be willing to negotiate on the pay or vacation time, but the recruiter keeps responding back with "they can't do it."

So: take the location, what sounds to be a decent school, for a pretty standard newbie setup or hold out for something better? Time's getting somewhat short for me to make a decision, and alas that golden university position has yet to materialize...

All thoughts appreciated.

Cheers.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I'd be cautious on that vacation time even. Across the board most have problems with vacation particularly if you are the only one at the school. If you aren't there.. they certainly don't want to be shutting down and taking a financial loss that week!

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

More money. I'd say 2.4 because you have teaching experience and it's in the boonies. Then they might negotiate to 2.2. 2 million? No way. You're the only teacher.

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

Jinju is a nice town. I spent 2 years there and my in-laws live there so I visit often. That said, I would probbaly not go back there to live. Its just too small for me.