Korean Job Discussion Forums

moptop · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Location: Gangwondo

I work in a Public Private High School. Over the last year there have been a number of huge problems that we have experienced. The Middle School teachers have had even worse problems than us. We have all worked in Korea for a number of years so we know the ropes, what to expect, and are "culturally sensitive".

I just want to put out a heads up to people looking for jobs. ALWAYS ask for a teacher's email, even if you talk to them in person. Often the boss is listening to the conversation, and no one is safe until they leave the country or get their severance pay.

If you go for an interview, and look at a contract, make sure you clarify the language of everything, for example "____ working days vacation, not including public holidays or weekends". Do not believe them if they say, "We cannot bother the Principal with all these last minute changes, you'll just have to trust us. We are flexible with our contract". The only way they will be flexible is to their own benefit. Last year it was almost the same at my Public High School. We can't put your extra vacation in writing in the contract because the government only allows 2 weeks maximum. I came close to getting worked over on that one, too. This is just one example of what you should be careful about. We had more problems with this school than just vacation. Way more.

I'm writing this post because my school will soon be hiring, and I want to be honest about our experience here. I don't want to write a full post until we have left, but we have had a pretty negative experience. If a potential teacher contacts me by email, I can let them know about our experience, but I'm not going to jepoardize my final pay by bad mouthing the school in front of our supervisor. Remember...ask the right questions.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Better yet, be the first foreigner ever to work at a high school you've had the chance to visit several times before you sign the contract. I had great vibes about my school the moment I stepped foot on campuse to interview them, and so far, the usual challenges of typical Korean idiocy aside, things have worked out wonderfully.

thelaststraw · Joined: 07 Nov 2006

I agree, to all those who are planning on coming here, by all means get the email info of as many current and former teachers as you can. There is no way that this can be stressed enough. Good topic moptop, i hope people listen.

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

and for he love of god, talk to more than one.

Obviously the wongjongnim is going to put his kiss ass "everything is wonderful" dork on the line with you.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

Made that mistake the first time. Took a job after talking to a guy that had only been there 4 months for about 15 minutes. Clearly, I should have talked to the guy who was leaving and gotten some email addresses as well. Then I might have discovered that this place was evil, evil, evil.

Asking to talk to someone who has finished a contract is a good move as well so you can be sure they didn't get screwed on severance or housing deposit, etc.