Korean Job Discussion Forums

[em]

Hi all. I'm at the decision stage with a company called Park's English School on Jeju-do. Everything seems to be in order. I have spoken with the owner and a couple of foreign teachers and I have reviewed a sample contract. I was asked for references and given the option of a six-month contract, both of which impressed me - no one else had done either of these things.

If you've worked there, or know it by reputation, please give me the 411.

Thanks

[hellofaniceguy]

No info on Park's, but....
You'll get screwed working in Jeju at most hokwons. And actually for that matter, most hokwons in korea. Why? Schools pay cheap because they know that teachers will sign a B.S. contract for 1.8 teaching 7/8 classes a day. School owners say "the cost of living in Jeju is cheaper than elsewhere in korea." Wrong answer! The food cost the same as in seoul, housing is the same, taxi fare is the same, etc. Ask the school what is cheaper? The schools in Jeju charge students the same amount for tuition as schools in seoul! In some cases, more! Schools tell parents "we charge more because we can't get teachers to come to Jeju!" But they sure don't pay the teachers anything! If you're in an "officetel" for housing, it'll cost you an average of 150.000 Won each month in maintenance fees. If you're at an apartment, gas, heating oil, cable TV, electric, phone, will run an average of 100.000 Won each month. Flying out of Jeju to seoul costs 160.000 Won R/T. If you're being paid 1.8, go figure!!
You'll have split shifts in most cases, early am and late pm. Stay away from BCM, SISA and the other chain schools. You might luck out and find a decent school owner but they are far and few between, Remember, these are not schools, they are a business.
Until teachers wise up and stop signing B.S. contracts, it won't get better.
So, having said that, you won't get 2.0. you won't get 1.9.
The air is clean, not much traffic and crowds. The same pushy/rude people though.
The best place to be in korea is Jeju however IF you like the outdoors, ocean, water sports, mountains, SCUBA. I know a few teachers in Jeju who have been here for years! And are making 1.8. I don't know how one can like teaching 7/8/9 classes a day. You'll burn out. Jeju has hundreds of hokwons! Everybody and their brother wants on the bandwagon to own a hokwon! Schools want Canadians, Kiwis and Aussies; they seem to be the most who work for the low wages and teach many classes.

[em]

Actually, the contract that I'm pondering over is for 1.9 with no split shifts.

[yakey]

Park's English School has a god reputation in Jeju. I knew a guy that taught there and he was very happy. He never seemed stressed and he had already renewed. Some other places in Jeju really work 'em like dogs. I remember seeing a Ding Ding Dong guy one night in the foreigner bar in Jeju and he looked like he had just been terminally nagged to death by a bad supervisor. If you go to Jeju, you'll make the lower cash of 1.7 or so. But if you can get some Korean friends (join a church, meet people, etc.) you can probably augment it to 2.5 or so. See if you can buy a Kia Pride or a some small car there as things are spread out and it's nice to have a car. It's also a graveyard if you try riding a motorcycle/scooter. So many tourists are checking out the scenery that they'll accidentally crash into you. I have a three-broken-rib experience that put me off the bike and into a car. Also, the buffet at the Crowne Plaza in SinJeju is the best and the most reasonably priced. It's a five-star buffet for about $14 US. All you can eat, a mixture of local and western fods and a super delicious dessert bar.

[em]

Thanks, yakey. I just accepted the position so your remarks were very encouraging.

I don't drive, so the KIA is out but I hear you can drive a 50cc scooter with no license - I'm willing to risk the ribs - I'll wear a helmet.

Yes, I've spoken to three teachers, former and current, and everyone seems to have been happy, which bodes well.

[yakey]

EM

Congratulations! You might also check on some legal extracurricular work, if your boss says it's OK, at the Tamna Education Center (Tamna Kyoyoogwon) in Halla Mountain. I did some teacher training courses there in the summer and winter and it was a blast. School teachers make great students. Behind the airport and between Sinjeju and KooJeju there are some great seaside restaurants. The best is probably called Victoria. Tapdong, in the big city KooJeju, is a fun place to hang out. They have a movie theatre and carnival rides, McDonald's, basketball courts, etc. There's also a decent underground subway-style market near there, as well as EMart. You can easily catch a bus to the airport and then catch the nice coach bus which is really cheap to the Jungmoon Tourist Complex on the other side of the island where the botanical gardens. the Teddy Bear Museum and the best tourist hotels are. It's an interesting day trip and the beaches on that side are pretty decent. Have a great year!

[em]

Thanks yakey! I'm very excited. You've spent time on Jeju-do then? I'd love to hear more about this teacher training program - I'm not sure I completely understand what it's all about but I'm sure my director would not frown upon anything that pumps up my credentials, professional development -wise.

Cheers.

[quercus]

congrats on the job, but watch that scooter. it reallyisnt worth the risk, and it may be a bit more than ribs. i just returned to the states after breaking my leg in three places and my arm in four in a scooter accident. its really not worth it, buy a bike (peddle)

whatever though, if you do get a scooter, pay extra to get a decent helmet with a WRAP AROUND CHIN GUARD. not the flimsy this that actually holds the helmet on, but hte hard plastic thing that comes around the bottom of the helmet under hte visor near your chin. if you fall, as you will, and slide, as i did, a "summer" helmet with just he head protection and no chin protection will still allow your chin and half your face to be scraped off. all i remember of my wreck was sliding 100+ feet (ok is was a magma, not a scooter) and seeing hte pavements slide by 1/2 inch from my face on the other side of the visor.

do what you want, hope it all works out for you

[viva]

Em,

Congrats on the job. Park's has a good rep on the island. And 1.9 is really good pay, especially if this is your first stint teaching in Korea.

If you're interested, PM me when you arrive and I can show you around the city and the island (I have a car.)

Viva