Korean Job Discussion Forums

[namerae]

Hey everyone!

First of all, I want to thank all of you that have been helpful to me during this process. There is SO much knowledge here, and a lot of you have helped me make smarter decisions by your posts all over the Korean boards. I know I've been active lately looking for all the good and bad things about certain schools/locations, and without your help I would probably be a sucker who didn't know better than to turn down a bad contract.

I've never been to Korea, and initially was so hell-bent on going to Japan that even thinking about going anywhere else was out of the question. After doing some research (and getting over myself and my absurd expectations), I realized that teaching is teaching, no matter where (even though it's drastically different from place to place). My point is, I'm doing this to teach, not to sight-see, even though I'm sure that will happen once I get settled. :] I want to take this opportunity to get more experience for myself as a teacher. I'm young, still mildly impressionable (great for hagwons, amirite?), and ready to travel somewhere completely different.

I have been offered a job in Cheonan with a hagwon called "Reading Town". Could anyone tell me something about the school from their own experience? I've tried digging up dirt on the place, but the only "bad" review is by someone who sounds like they got burned by their attitude. The following clip could be true, the owners could have kept the person's tax money, but mostly this reviewer sounds like they needed to chill out or give more information to support their argument (e.g. the school lies about what, exactly?):

[Linda868]

I don't have any information about the school. But you could also ask for the contact information from current teachers there so you can get a better idea of the current situation at the school (unless you've done that already). Good luck!

[namerae]

[kjane]

I worked as a teacher and R&D for Reading Town in a different city for two years. They are a chain school with locations in many cities around Korea. Management, schedules, living conditions etc would differ between each city and campus but I can tell you some general stuff.

All the curriculum is designed in their headquarters in Seoul. The curriculum has reading, speaking, writing, phonics, sight words, science/social science, grammar, listening classes etc. Reading Towns typically have Foreign English Teachers and Korean English teachers. You don't teach at the same time but share classes at different times (ie. Foreigners teach reading, speaking and phonics and korean teacher teaches grammar, writing and sight words) Reading Town starts at a beginner level and goes to an intermediate level. All courses have workbooks, teacher's guides, cd's, flashcards etc. Basically you follow the syllabus which breaks the books up into weekly lessons. It is good for first time teachers who are looking for support and don't want to do alot of their own prep. (Of course there would still be some room for extra learning activities or what I call "bringing the workbook to life") Usuallly homework is mantadory for all classes and their is an online compenent to homework students can do at home. Most schools have little libraries and incentive programs (ie. book reports, competitions) to encourage English reading.

http://www.readingtown.com/

[namerae]

kjane - Thank you for that information. I thought it would be a good fit for me as a first-time Korean teacher as far as the materials and support from the staff.

I'm happy with being placed in a chain school where others would frown upon it. Honestly, as long as there is support and the school is in an area that is decent, I think I'll be happy. If it's unbearable (doubtful) I will make the steps to fix it, but more likely would just get a new job for the next year.

If anyone else has any more information about the area or school in specifics, I would still appreciate it. ^_^

[chellovek]

When you say you want advice to a value lower than 3, what do you mean?

[namerae]

[sallymonster]

I suggest you post your contract over in the "contract posting thread" so that an experienced teacher can look it over.

Also, be sure to talk to a current teacher at the school before signing. If the school/recruiter says it's not possible, do NOT take the job!

[namerae]