Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BS.Dos.]

So it's looking increasingly likely that the PS gig I'd been looking forward to is not going to happen, and after having spent the last 2/3-months researching, choosing a decent location, filing the paperwork etc, I'm now back on the Hagwon research gravy train. (don't ask why)

Not the best of situations to be in I must say, but Korea (after looking into '�300 per month' [$600] Chinese teaching posts...err...No thanks) looks like the only place were I'll be able to earn and save enough to pay for my Masters Degree back home whilst I'm in SK.

I'm pretty well versed in the Hagwon horror stories etc and appreciate that it's generally a crap-shoot. I just want to know what I can expect to earn per month as I've only really been focusing on the PS posts these last 2-months and am not really up to speed on the current pay in the private schools.

I'd have been on the 2.1 per month payband in the PS. What do you think I should push for in the private sector?

I have a degree (BA Hons) and a 130+ hours Trinity TESOL Cert.

Cheers.

[Qinella]

How much experience do you have? (I don't know the ps pay scale.)

If you have a couple of years under your belt, and with your other qualifications, I'd push for at least 2.5 if you're in Seoul, more elsewhere. There are listings on this board and Galbijim, of course, but in case you don't know, Work n Play's job board has some nice listings from time to time, and is quite busy.

Are you in Korea right now? If not, I'd recommend coming before you sign on to anything, so you can meet the staff, see where you'd be living (if they don't give you housing allowance), and generally get a feel for how happy the current employees seem to be.

[BS.Dos.]

Hey Qin,

No teaching experience and I'm not in Korea.

What's a good starting pay bearing that in mind? 2.2 perhaps?

[Qinella]

Considering you have TESOL certification, that oughta count for something. If they don't care about that, it's probably a red flag, i.e. the place is simply a money mill. So, assuming the place is decent, yeah I'd say you're looking at a minimum of 2.2 to start. Minimum. I know of quite a few people who've started out at 2.1. Also, don't be afraid to ask for more, but do it somewhere later in the process when they've pretty much decided to hire you.

[yingwenlaoshi]

Ask how many students they have. That'll give you a good idea of what to ask for. If you'll be teaching anything over maybe 60 students (as a newbie), you're worth at least 2.3. Depends also on what they charge students, too.

Let's say you'll be teaching 60 students and they're paying at least 150,000/month. They're giving the hagwon 9,000,000, but maybe that's for only two thirds of the time they see you. That's 6,000,000. Take your free accomodations into account. With hagwons, I'd say you should be earning 50%. That's 3,000,000. 2.3 + .3 (rent) + .1 (flight) + .2 (severence) + .1 (pension). That's 3,000,000. Half. Then they have to pay for the expenses of running the school. Like drivers and gas, secretaires, utilities, etc.

They shouldn't be clearing more than you. That's a no no. If they have at least 2 sets up classes (at least 2 or three foreign teachers). The owner is banking it.

That's why it's good to check out the hagwon first. Come here first. Come when they want you during a busy season.

That may be too much to think about though. I'd say 2.3.

[Bibbitybop]

If you don't mind, why didn't you get the PS job? A BA with a Trinity (a great cert.) should get you in.

[spliff]

Criminal record?