Korean Job Market: My Experiences - Page 2 - Ajarn Forum

goo_stewart · 12th May 2008, 09:45

My Thai gf was here for 6 months, she worked, learnt the lingo and generally had a good time. I think the key to success is to get her a job or get her busy doing something. My mrs only went back because she had work to do in Thailand.

As for the salaries, yeah, I agree that you can get 3 mill plus quite easily, but that is usually with privates and extra work. I do ok on that front, but my hogwan (in Ulsan) only pays 2.3 million. There are many, many folks in Korea earning the same or less.

I am recruiting my replacement at the moment and it does seem that people think we should be paying the 3 mill plus wages, that is unrealistic. I think expectations have shifted dramatically because of the current state of the Won. The new visa laws have made this an even bigger 'teachers' market. Recruiters and owners are having a hard time filling the places.

Matthew · 12th May 2008, 09:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

PS: A private teacher here in Korea, willing to work insane hours, block hours smartly, and demand payment before the lesson can peak at 10,000 usd per mo. Without all the xtras that WG has of course.

That is really impressive. I know IsaanAlex is another example of a TEFLer simply KILLIN' IT in Korea.

Thanks for the other info too, Jimbo...will PM laterz...

oxfordstu · 13th May 2008, 10:34

I never met anyone who was making 10k. The most I heard was about 6k, and the dude was working insane hours and had no life. But there are some private gigs that will pay a lot - some it is just pure luck.

As for the visa process, it's not as easy as it used to be. We used to be able to hop on over to Japan for 2 days and be done with it. Those days are over, and it looks like it will only get worse thanks to Korea's fear of foreigners. About 8 months into my public school contract, there was a paedophile arrested in Thailand, and it just so happened that he used to work in Korea. This caused an uproar and the government told all the schools to get drug checks and degree verification, even though we all had already given them all our documentation. A bunch of us pretty much told them to go fuck themselves - it's this kind of xenophobic behavior that drove me crazy. I don't mind that they're doing checks (they should), but it was just going overboard.

With the question of bringing your Thai wife over - they usually get 3 months on arrival (provided that you have the right documentation). I knew a guy in Busan who brought his Thai fiancee over for 3 months - he said that the locals really looked down on her. Koreans are extremely racist (moreso than Thais, I believe). However, if you're out in the sticks, you might not have a problem.

Benedict XVI · 13th May 2008, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew

That is really impressive. I know IsaanAlex is another example of a TEFLer simply KILLIN' IT in Korea.

IA is smart, and he knows how to get a good situation. He also works very, very, hard. Meaning he puts in a lot of hours.

I hope he visits the board more often.

Cheers, IA.

MisterStretch · 13th May 2008, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by oxfordstu

I never met anyone who was making 10k.

I know a guy who used to make about 12k a month and that was 6 years ago. He had lots of really high-paying corporate gigs. A matter of being in the right place at the right time. I wouldn't want to work that hard, myself.

jimbo · 13th May 2008, 15:01

Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee neither.

phuketbound · 13th May 2008, 17:26

I plan on going back to Korea and making close to 3 million. I find that public schools pay better than Language schools, because there is a pay scale. If you work in Gangnam area of Seoul, you make even more money because it is a more affluent area of Seoul.

You will make more at an International school, than a public school, but for someone without a teaching degree the better paying job, usually is at a public school.

My_Kow_Lope · 13th May 2008, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by oxfordstu

The most I heard was about 6k, and the dude was working insane hours and had no life. But there are some private gigs that will pay a lot - some it is just pure luck.

I make more than 6 million won per month and don't work insane hours by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I work less hours than I did in Thailand.

If I can't make that sort of money and more, then there's no reason at all for me to be here.

oxfordstu · 13th May 2008, 23:44

^What's the gig, then? Private corporate gigs?

WhatsGrammar? · 14th May 2008, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by My_Kow_Lope

I make more than 6 million won per month and don't work insane hours by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I work less hours than I did in Thailand.

If I can't make that sort of money and more, then there's no reason at all for me to be here.

On an F-2 ?

jimbo · 14th May 2008, 14:39

^ I'm just beginning that process. No more gliding along for me. ( I was always paranoid to privatize on an E2)

DontTaserMeDude · 14th May 2008, 16:59

Korea is a real hell-hole. Sure, the money sounds good but they treat you like s#*! I pulled runners on 2 companies there. just enough dosh to afford a flight to Los. Thats what i would recommend to anyone conteplating Korea.

phuketbound · 14th May 2008, 17:30

^And pulling two runners is something that you are proud of? Please, spare me, and learn how to spell.

jimbo · 14th May 2008, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by DontTaserMeDude

Korea is a real hell-hole. Sure, the money sounds good but they treat you like s#*! I pulled runners on 2 companies there. just enough dosh to afford a flight to Los. Thats what i would recommend to anyone conteplating Korea.

What she said! And no one treats me like shit. Sounds like you've picked some bad schools. 4 years in and still going strong. I might like a little pain with my pleasure, but if it were that bad, I wouldn't still be here.

Charge your taser, duuuuude.

oxfordstu · 14th May 2008, 17:54

^Exactly. Do your research. I've never done a runner, and glad I didn't. Sure, there are some really bad schools out there, but don't judge an entire country based on two bad experiences with shady directors.