Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jmeilyn]

Hey everyone,
Me and my boyfriend just got several offers to go teach abroad in South Korea. Although we got about 6 contract offers, we are really considering these two. Both contracts are pretty much the same, like medical, airfare, housing, etc.

1) EG Language School Bundang- 2-9 pm, 2.2 mil, elementary-high, 10 foreign teachers, 10 days vacation, 600K deposit, and intensives, which means 9 classes for a month in January, but 20K hourly salary

2) GNB School Daegu - 2-8 pm, 2.2-2.3 mil, 1st-9th grade, we would be the only foreign teachers, 10 days vacation, no deposit, no intensives

Both schools seem pretty reputable when we talked to the current foreign teachers. This would be our first time teaching abroad and one of the good things about Daegu is that we would be teaching with Korean teachers, whereas we wouldn't in Bundang. I've heard that when you teach with Korean teachers, it makes the class easier. Also, in Daegu, we would be the only foreign teachers there, which has its pros and cons. Since we would be the only foreign teachers, we can sway things a little more, but I heard its hard to get vacation and fewer people to lean on. Plus, Daegu doesn't have that intensive session or 600K deposit for utilities/bills stuff.

But, we've heard that Bundang is a nice area, its close to Seoul, so more stuff to do in comparison to Daegu. Also, we heard that the kids take their education more seriously, and we have other foreign teachers to lean on.

Any advice? Anybody hear about those two schools or lived in Bundang and Daegu and can help us compare the two. Thanks everyone.

[seoulsista]

I'd go with the school in Daegu simply for the better money and hours. The difference between the two cities is notable but at the end of the day your job is going to count for more.

Being close to Seoul is nice but you will end up spending more money. If you don't care about saving and a few extra hours than go for Bundang.

The only thing in Bundang I trully miss is the walking trail. Broke my wrist there...ahhh...good times.

[the eye]

I'd agree with Seoulsista. The job parameters come first.
Where is the school in daegu? Jisan dong? Beomeo dong?

[cbclark4]

If you choose Daegue let me know.
I am going to Daegue in Mid-Sep to Mid-Oct.

I will be on a Job search Vacation tour.

My wife and I will be staying with family.

Maybe we could all meet up for coffee.

cbc

[DCJames]

Daegu is a very conservative place and you will miss alot of the conveniences of being near to Seoul in Bundang.. Bundang is a very nice place to live.

Also, you should be troubled by the fact there are no other foreign teachers at the school in Daegu.. Seeing other foreigners on a daily basis helps alot to relieve stress..

Good luck!

[jmeilyn]

Thanks for the reply everybody. We decided on Daegu, mostly because of the job details. We heard back from the teacher that was working in Bundang, and he said that the month long of intensives was hell, working 11 hour days, with 9 hours of teaching.

But, the funny thing is that after we signed the contract, the Bundang school said that they would pay us 2.3 million because of our 1 year experience in Japan. Funny thing is, we don't have any teaching experience in Japan, and our resumes had nothing vaguely resembling something like that. Bad sign for the school if they can't read a resume.

Sure CBClark, the four of us could meet up for some coffee. And if anyone else in Daegu wants to meet up, let me know. It's probably going to be harder for us to meet other foreigners because we're the only foreigners at the school.