Korean Job Discussion Forums

[insam]

Anyone do this? It's tempting because of the hourly pay 40,000-60,000, which is high for full time contractual visa sponsored positions. Even securing one's own apartment one could have a nice little chunk left over. Typically this level of pay is derived from part time or non-visa sponsored positions. The problem is it seems to be a new venture and perhaps as yet unproven.

[Captain Courageous]

I work for CDI and do so as a salaried employee. Sure, it sounds good, because the math seems to work in your favor, but remember that if you don't teach past 96 hours for whatever reason, you don't get paid. During Middle School testing and iBT time, you'll have more or less no classes, and because the school isn't at fault for lack of students, you'll not get paid. Same goes for holidays and vacation time. No money.

40k-60k? Unless you're a head instructor and trained in every darn class they teach, no way. You might top out around 30k/hour if you're lucky or extremely qualified.

As mentioned in previous threads, you don't get paid for prep, nor do you get pension, medical insurance, severance, or free housing (which can be ungodly expensive depending on where you live, like here in Bundang).

Basically, it's a clever way for CDI to lower its risk and save cash (if you do the math, they're saving mountains of money by not paying into pension or medical, no severance payment at the end of the contract, and no housing costs). And in the end, it can screw you. You have to work a whole lot to make ends meet, and sometimes the work just won't be there.

I get a pretty darn good salary for being here only 2 months before getting the job, and if you throw in the incredibly nice free apartment, the severance, and the pension/medical, I'm making a huge chunk of cash a month without having to worry about whether or not I can pay my bills on time, and every month I know exactly how much will show up in my account.



Take from that what you will.

[insam]

I'm talking about 'CDI Prep'. It's a new thing e.g. AP courses. That amount is fairly standard for admissions preparation etc in Seoul and 80,000-100,000 is not uncommon. These are not simply English teaching positons. What is uncommon is visa sponsorship with such positions.
I suppose it may not have even begun yet in Kangnam, but I think the Bundang one is open.

[Voyeur]

I have to imaginethere is a fair amount of work and preparation for these classes. So you might not be teaching say 30 hours a week. That being said - pay is high enough you don't need to.

But I'm curious about how much a top normal CDI teacher makes per month for say 40 hours a week of work (all in) vs. a CDI prep teacher doing the same.

[big_blue_21]

my own experience with CDI was really good. I was just a normal teacher at 24 hours a week (and then I asked them for 21 after the first term and they were like no problem). I made 35,000 with little teaching experience so I do not at all doubt the 40,000-60,000 is legit. I've never heard of that thing about a 96 hour minimum. Maybe I miss read it. CDI never did anything dishonest with me, but paid me every last cent. I myself returned to the United States with approximately 11,000 (and no, that's not won)!

Honestly, I'll put you in touch with some teachers if you want . . . Education is just a stressful field, and I've taught in Korea and here (the US) and CDI is by far the best job I ever had . . . if there's anything else I can help you with, feel free to PM me . . .

Also, while it's not for everyone, I know a clean, quiet koshiwon (like a dorm but open to young professionals too and run by a private individual, not a university--like a long-term hostel really (you pay by the month) only two subway (or I guess three, but definetly only ten and no way more than fifteen minutes away) stops away for 230,000-280,000 won a month (depending on the room and the how far you pay in advance--I think they give you like a thirty or forty thousand won discount for three months or more in advance). The owner (well he sold the place just a few weeks before I left) but he was the nicest guy, and his brother still is the main concierge there even (or at least was up until I left) if his brother no longer owns the place . . . a lot of young people and a really easy make to make friends. Plus, it's right near two major colleges, Sejong University and Konguk University, in case you want to pick-up Korean or teach in the mornings when you're not working at CDI . . .

hope this helps . . .

[insam]