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dorian_gray
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
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 Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 12:44 am Post subject: Warning: Anyang Technical College |
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Job advertisement: http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=39455
If you're an experienced (3 or more years in Korea's EFL industry), credentialed (Masters degree, CELTA/TEFL qualification, etc.) teacher, Anyang Technical College is not the place for you. I can almost guarantee that anyone with real qualifications will not be satisfied with this job for a number of reasons.
If however, you're looking to make the jump from a hagwon to a tertiary level position, this is a decent opportunity to do so. |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:46 am Post subject: |
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Aren't those the goofs that expect sealed transcripts with your initial resume....? 
Brainless. |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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| bassexpander wrote: |
Aren't those the goofs that expect sealed transcripts with your initial resume....?
Brainless. |
No, that's Anyang University.
I've actually heard good things about the Tech College, but I guess it was the same thing the OP said... good entry level position. |
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dorian_gray
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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Actually, the advertisement did say that the "required documents" include sealed transcripts. Another interesting (and highly unreasonable) thing ~ the job advertisement says you must present your medical check up at the time of interview (not at the time of hire).
As I said in the original post, this is a good position for someone looking to make the jump from a hagwon, but professional EFL teachers should be very wary of this college (please pm me if you need more details). |
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Henri
Joined: 07 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 2:10 am Post subject: |
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I can't PM you dorian, but am very interested if you could please pm me about Anyang Technical College, as they have expressed an interest in me.
I am interested in things such as whether the classes are mostly blocked, how many days per week, quality of housing, "real" vacation time, and of course how foreign professors are treated, etc.
I am experienced in the Uni system in Korea but am looking to make a (more or less) lateral move to another University as the management in mine are crooked, disorganised, and increasingly demanding.
Cheers,
Henri^^ |
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anynag
Joined: 01 Jan 2009
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| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 2:24 am Post subject: |
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| Henri wrote: |
| I am experienced in the Uni system in Korea but am looking to make a (more or less) lateral move to another University as the management in mine are crooked, disorganised, and increasingly demanding. |
 Sorry; I had to chuckle. Don't a good many uni/college positions in Korea (particularly lower tier schools) fall into the latter part of your statement? |
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dorian_gray
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Henri wrote: |
I can't PM you dorian, but am very interested if you could please pm me about Anyang Technical College, as they have expressed an interest in me.
I am interested in things such as whether the classes are mostly blocked, how many days per week, quality of housing, "real" vacation time, and of course how foreign professors are treated, etc.
I am experienced in the Uni system in Korea but am looking to make a (more or less) lateral move to another University as the management in mine are crooked, disorganised, and increasingly demanding.
Cheers,
Henri^^ |
On the housing ~
I don't think that anyone on staff actually lives in the housing anymore, but from what I understand it's a very small one room officetel kind of thing. They "offer" housing, but don't expect anything spectacular. And be prepared to stay on their ass about the bills and things ~ there was some big snafu when someone on staff forgot to cancel someone who had recently moved out's internet and they ended up having to pay to get out of a contract when they weren't even living there anymore.
Class blocking ~
This solely depends on how much you kiss their ass. Half of my class hours are on one day. One of the other guys in my office has like a 5 hour break on one of his days. You're told that you can't make any requests about scheduling, but blatant favoritism is practiced in regards to who gets what kind of schedule. After we were told last semester that we couldn't make requests, it was later found out that several people had made requests and that those requests had been granted. Don't think that because you get good evaluations and tow the line that you will be done any favors when it comes to scheduling time. Classes are scheduled on 3 or 4 days, but again, it's anybody's guess as to what you'll get (don't expect to get a Monday or a Friday off though).
Vacation time ~
Vacation time is real. It says in the contract that you have to do a summer or a winter camp, but there are so many people on staff, you probably won't have to do it if you don't want to. Vacation time is the only good thing about this job.
Treatment of the professors ~
This is the area which I have the most complaints about. I won't bore you with too much of my personal story but just give you the facts:
a)An office nightmare ~ 20 people on staff jammed into 2 offices. Equipment (I don't know why I said equipment because the equipment basically equals 1 printer per office) is old and doesn't work very well. Must repeatedly remind staff that we are English teachers and that English teachers require a printer. We basically went the entire spring semester without use of this printer. Then the office assistant had the balls to lie and say that we'd never asked for it to be fixed (he also continually asserted that the printer was new, even though everyone knew it was not). Internet connection is also extremely slow. I had to buy my own mouse pad and speakers. Paper is scarce ~ when it is asked for, we usually get a lecture about the fact that we use too much paper. The head of the department is constantly on our ass about turning off the lights, computers, monitors, etc., he even threatened that if we ever lost our keys we would have to pay to have new locks put on and new keys for everyone in our office.
b) Foreign "advisor" & Office Assistant ~ The foreign adviser is nothing more than a sycophant. He's not to be trusted, he's just their crony. He likes to send out numerous, repetitive mass emails about when things are due, etc. His tone in these emails is usually condescending and rude. The office assistant, a twenty-something Korean guy, thinks he's our supervisor. He is also rude and has been caught in several lies. He pretends to be oh-so-busy whenever you make any kind of request. He can't get things done on time (the mid-terms weren't even printed on the first day of exam week during the spring semester). He will observe and critique your classes, even though he is in no way qualified to do so.
c) Curriculum ~ You will have no choice about the book you are asked to teach. The book for first semester students is actually OK. However, the book for second semester returning students is a disaster. It was chosen by someone in the aviation department (can you say kickback?). It is of an inappropriate level and basically unteachable. The head of the department always says that you can "teach whatever you want" but that would mean devising an entire curriculum by yourself.
d) Classroom equipment ~ Most of the classrooms are simply not set up for English teaching. There's no whiteboard (just the crappy chalkboard), you will need to lug your own CD player (provided) or AV equipment into the room with you. If you need the projector or something else, you will need the department to set it up for you ~ this is a slow and unreliable process.
e) Requests ~ Any request will be registered as a complaint. Too many "complaints" by staff will result in a meeting in which the head of the department will ask you if you think you can get a better job. Then the head of the department will threaten that if there are any more complaints, he will enforce the clause in the contract that states that professors must be present from 9am~5pm, five days a week (can you say blackmail?).
As I stated in my original post, if you have credentials and experience, this is not the place for you. This school doesn't deserve to have, nor do they appreciate having, dedicated teachers who know what they are doing.
I hope this helps you in your decision making process. |
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Henri
Joined: 07 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:33 am Post subject: |
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^^
Thanks so much and apologies for not keeping on top of thread.
And for the fellow with the chuckle (sorry can't see post right now^^), I fully get where you are coming from. Most uni's don't treat foreigners well, but mine has to take the cake.
I will shame them, but not name them...in a post...very soon.
I just need to find the time. 
Thanks again!
Henri |
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DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
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| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Job sounds worse than a hakwan gig to be honest.... bar the vacation, which sounds like it will be much needed... |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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| DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP wrote: |
| Job sounds worse than a hakwan gig to be honest.... |
Whatever.
I'd work there... if it weren't in Anyang. |
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Henri
Joined: 07 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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On the housing ~
I don't think that anyone on staff actually lives in the housing anymore, but from what I understand it's a very small one room officetel kind of thing. They "offer" housing, but don't expect anything spectacular. And be prepared to stay on their ass about the bills and things ~ there was some big snafu when someone on staff forgot to cancel someone who had recently moved out's internet and they ended up having to pay to get out of a contract when they weren't even living there anymore. |
Is this housing paid for or do they just make housing available to lecturers?
| Quote: |
Class blocking ~
This solely depends on how much you kiss their ass. Half of my class hours are on one day. One of the other guys in my office has like a 5 hour break on one of his days. You're told that you can't make any requests about scheduling, but blatant favoritism is practiced in regards to who gets what kind of schedule. After we were told last semester that we couldn't make requests, it was later found out that several people had made requests and that those requests had been granted. Don't think that because you get good evaluations and tow the line that you will be done any favors when it comes to scheduling time. Classes are scheduled on 3 or 4 days, but again, it's anybody's guess as to what you'll get (don't expect to get a Monday or a Friday off though). |
Yes, a typical problem. Usually uncertainty with scheduling and always excpeptions to be made for some people, by others.
| Quote: |
Vacation time ~
Vacation time is real. It says in the contract that you have to do a summer or a winter camp, but there are so many people on staff, you probably won't have to do it if you don't want to. Vacation time is the only good thing about this job. |
Acceptable.
Treatment of the professors ~
| Quote: |
This is the area which I have the most complaints about. I won't bore you with too much of my personal story but just give you the facts:
a)An office nightmare ~ 20 people on staff jammed into 2 offices. Equipment (I don't know why I said equipment because the equipment basically equals 1 printer per office) is old and doesn't work very well. Must repeatedly remind staff that we are English teachers and that English teachers require a printer. We basically went the entire spring semester without use of this printer. Then the office assistant had the balls to lie and say that we'd never asked for it to be fixed (he also continually asserted that the printer was new, even though everyone knew it was not). Internet connection is also extremely slow. I had to buy my own mouse pad and speakers. Paper is scarce ~ when it is asked for, we usually get a lecture about the fact that we use too much paper. The head of the department is constantly on our ass about turning off the lights, computers, monitors, etc., he even threatened that if we ever lost our keys we would have to pay to have new locks put on and new keys for everyone in our office. |
A standard scenario.
I experienced much of the above, as well.
As well, our university made professors sign a new "identical" contract in exchange for an upgrade in rank and job security. There is no job security, the contract was altered, costing each professor 3 million won, and it ended up that, for that year, new (1st year) professors were making more money than veterans.
We've also been ordered to do a research paper...and have variously been told, "no publication, no job" and "just do your best, all things are considered, etc, etc".
Frustrating.
| Quote: |
| b) Foreign "advisor" & Office Assistant ~ The foreign adviser is nothing more than a sycophant. He's not to be trusted, he's just their crony. He likes to send out numerous, repetitive mass emails about when things are due, etc. His tone in these emails is usually condescending and rude. |
Sounds about right. Our boss chose our "rep". They of course chose the weakest and least confrontational professor to represent the "interests" of the professors. A nice person who didn't want the job, and isn't up to it, anyways...
| Quote: |
| The office assistant, a twenty-something Korean guy, thinks he's our supervisor. He is also rude and has been caught in several lies. He pretends to be oh-so-busy whenever you make any kind of request. He can't get things done on time (the mid-terms weren't even printed on the first day of exam week during the spring semester). He will observe and critique your classes, even though he is in no way qualified to do so. |
All Korean TA's or office assistants seem to think they are above ANY foreign professor. Good luck with that, with me. No one comes in my class without my invitation or permission. Full stop.
No one has sorted this guy out yet? I think he needs to be reminded of his position. Unfortunately, if he has the ear of someone, all bets are off...
| Quote: |
| c) Curriculum ~ You will have no choice about the book you are asked to teach. The book for first semester students is actually OK. However, the book for second semester returning students is a disaster. It was chosen by someone in the aviation department (can you say kickback?). It is of an inappropriate level and basically unteachable. The head of the department always says that you can "teach whatever you want" but that would mean devising an entire curriculum by yourself. |
I hear ya.
| Quote: |
| d) Classroom equipment ~ Most of the classrooms are simply not set up for English teaching. There's no whiteboard (just the crappy chalkboard), you will need to lug your own CD player (provided) or AV equipment into the room with you. If you need the projector or something else, you will need the department to set it up for you ~ this is a slow and unreliable process. |
Jesus.
| Quote: |
| e) Requests ~ Any request will be registered as a complaint. Too many "complaints" by staff will result in a meeting in which the head of the department will ask you if you think you can get a better job. Then the head of the department will threaten that if there are any more complaints, he will enforce the clause in the contract that states that professors must be present from 9am~5pm, five days a week (can you say blackmail?). |
Typical. And is this from a foreigner or a Korean, please?
| Quote: |
| As I stated in my original post, if you have credentials and experience, this is not the place for you. This school doesn't deserve to have, nor do they appreciate having, dedicated teachers who know what they are doing. |
I question whether any uni in Korea is, really. 
| Quote: |
I hope this helps you in your decision making process. |
So far, so good.
Much appreciated!
Henri^^ |
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DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
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| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Draz wrote: |
| DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP wrote: |
| Job sounds worse than a hakwan gig to be honest.... |
Whatever.
I'd work there... if it weren't in Anyang. |
Really? You've been here around 2.5 years and you'd take that crapppy job...?
Why? I'm curious as to what your reasoning is.... (presuming you've read the list of cons he wrote about the school...) |
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dorian_gray
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Henri wrote: |
Is this housing paid for or do they just make housing available to lecturers?
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Housing is made available ~ rent will be deducted from your salary.
| Henri wrote: |
| A standard scenario. |
You said that the office (sharing with 9 other professors) situation is a standard scenario ~ this is absolutely not the case at all universities. At my last position I shared an office with ONE other professor. We both had our own computers and our own printers that were both kept in very good nick (toner cartridges, etc). Paper was given to us by our department and was never, ever in short supply. We had our own kettle and a supply of coffee that we couldn't finish in the space of 3 years. We were very well treated.
| Henri wrote: |
No one has sorted this guy out yet? I think he needs to be reminded of his position. Unfortunately, if he has the ear of someone, all bets are off...
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I'm not sure how we could have sorted him out since anything that we said to him would be directly relayed to the head of the department tout de suite. This guy gives new meaning to the word incompetent.
| Henri wrote: |
| Typical. And is this from a foreigner or a Korean, please? |
From a Korean ~ the head of the department.
| Henri wrote: |
| I question whether any uni in Korea is, really. |
I agree.
| Henri wrote: |
Much appreciated!
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No worries. Just keepin' it real.  |
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Henri
Joined: 07 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:53 am Post subject: |
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^^
| Quote: |
| Housing is made available ~ rent will be deducted from your salary. |
Oh, a "pay for it, and you can use it", scenario...
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| You said that the office (sharing with 9 other professors) situation is a standard scenario ~ this is absolutely not the case at all universities. At my last position I shared an office with ONE other professor. We both had our own computers and our own printers that were both kept in very good nick (toner cartridges, etc). Paper was given to us by our department and was never, ever in short supply. We had our own kettle and a supply of coffee that we couldn't finish in the space of 3 years. We were very well treated. |
In my experience, and in many others, it's quite standard. But don't get me wrong. There are afair few places that sort out their prof's right. I have a friend right now, teaching at a uni, who has exactly as you've described above...
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| I'm not sure how we could have sorted him out since anything that we said to him would be directly relayed to the head of the department tout de suite. |
How about reminding him that he is an ASSISTANT, explaining to him what that means, and that you'll call on HIM if you need his assistance; then going direct to whoever you suspect he will cry to, and clarify the situation with them?
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| From a Korean ~ the head of the department. |
Koreans and power are like kids with a new toy.
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| No worries. Just keepin' it real. |
And perhaps one last question for now, if you please can...
What majors would new hires teach? And would it be more advantageous (scheduling-wise) to teach one major over another?
To be honest, I'm kinda leaning towards not even interviewing at the place, if asked. The deal is not better than I currently have, and while my place may suck, I'm a big fan of the "devil I know"...
Henri^^ |
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davesucksnfl
Joined: 11 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:54 am Post subject: |
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| even if the job isn;t that great, anyang is a nice city and a great area. as has been said, if you're moving up, this is a pretty good area to move up into. |
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