Korean Job Discussion Forums

Pootie · Joined: 02 Jun 2003

I had an extensive interview with them in person and they are eager for me to sign. Here's the thing. They say 2.6 mil won and I'll be teaching 30-40 hours a week. Then they tell me it's a salary of 17,000 won an hour. Which if I worked the typical 30 hour week, it would amount to barely over 2.0 AND I have to PAY for my own housing in Kangnam, they supply the key money. Also, if they want me to work 40 hours I can't refuse. AND also, they give me 50,000 won for like 50 hours of training and I have to teach a few classes before I am even paid for that.
AND Also...they take a cumulitive 15% in taxes. They do seem professional, and I like that, but please tell me there are better options out there. Would I be a fool to take this spot? What have you guys heard about Pagoda in Kangnam?
Thanks a ton...
New guy in Seoul

Pootie · Joined: 02 Jun 2003

also, I forgot to mention, I would be working split shifts practically the whole year, and they won't refund my money for a ticket over. Is Kangnam in Seoul the area that would be best to teach in, most money, cool spot? What other areas have a ton of Hagwons?

kylehawkins2000 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

I wouldn't work those kind of hours for any money. I wouldn't even consider the position to be honest. Everybody has their own preferences though. Personally I opted for a position with a relatively light workload over ones that had a heavier workload and paid more. teaching 40 hours a week for a year and doing split shifts sounds like burnout job to me......hope the vacation time is extensive!

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

Here are some previous posts about Pagoda Kangnam

Pagoda School in Kangnam and Jina Kim
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=3868
This is a good one because it has Lost Seoul's archived report about it.

Has anyone worked for Pagoda or YBM ELS/ECC?
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=2877

Pagoda Academy and Young Seng High School
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=1057

Pagoda and Universities
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=4680

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

40 teaching hours a week will physically kill you.

The Bobster · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Gotta stand next to The Eamonster on this one. For one thing, I've worked hours slightly worse than that once, also in gangnam, and the money was big but I tended to pour all the extra into stress-reduction activities on the weekend, the kind of stuff that has no place being discussed on the Job-Related Forum ...

Come to think of it, I met a guy on the subway once who worked at Pagoda Gangnam ... he looked tired. Are you surprised? I wasn't.

Pootie · Joined: 02 Jun 2003

They argue that they are reliable and I never have to worry about payment, and that the small hagwons suck. Here's another thing, I came over to interview in person and screw the sign the contract over the internet deal They also said they WOULD NOT refund my ticket over here, although I hadn't really talked to them before I got here, many schools offer a free flight and I thought it would be cake to get a refund in cash upon signing. Thanks, guys aything else? They were pretty high on hiring me and said I'd need 3 days to get back to them, but if people are always dropping, I don't think there'd be a problem. I'll definitely keep on looking. I had a couple interviews in parts other than Gangnam, but I passed on them. I've heard Gangnam (Kangnum?) is the place to get settled. Any good school hiring that are worth checking out next week. I hope to get all my researching/interviewing done and decide on a place by next Friday. I don't want too many hours as that will cripple my ability to do other things. The homestay I'm staying in I'm bunked up with like 5 people in this tiny room half the size of my bedroom at home. I can't even sneak a fart out. =)
Thanks for all your help...