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Are there sites to check the reputation a school?

 
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cynthialynn



Joined: 11 Apr 2004
Posts: 10
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 9:57 pm    Post subject: Are there sites to check the reputation a school? Reply with quote
Hello,
I am interested in ESL teaching in Korea, but have read the horror stories. While I realize these are extreme cases I am trying to find preventive measures I can take to assure they don't happen to me. Are there site you can look at like The Better Business Beaurea should you go to a US Embassy as soon as you get ther etc. I already know to make copies of all memos, pay stubs, utiliy bills and payments made on utilities. Any other suggestions??? Should I let the consulting agency I went thru try and negotiate any problems I have 1st???

Second question is if I do end up getting screwed over by the school, if you have encountered this problem what has your experience been in getting a Letter of Release from your hogwan?? What are the procedures if you can get that letter to get your visa switched to another school (do you have to make another visa run etc.). If I do leave and decide to come back to the states will, does the school have a legal right to make you pay for your flight out there??

Finally has anyone heard of a company in Korea called Daekyo that produces educational materials?? They have started 3 schools called the Calritz. They have hired 7 teachers and are looking to bring on 4 more. Does this sound like a safe school since its so big and affiliated with a large company??
Thanks for any help you can offer,
Cynthia Very Happy
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Shaman



Joined: 06 Apr 2003
Posts: 446
Location: Hammertown
PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 12:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi cynthialynn.

Check out this link:

http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html

There are many more like it. Just do a net search using keywords like blacklist, Korea, ESL etc.

I wouldn't count on a letter of release. You're there and they want you to stay. Don't know about switching visa from school to school. Visa run? More like midnight run. Wink Most teachers take it on the run. If you do not complete the contract, you are on the hook for your exit from the country. That's a stipulation of the paid airfare.

Good luck.

Shaman
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Shaman



Joined: 06 Apr 2003
Posts: 446
Location: Hammertown
PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 12:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I forgot to mention that if you don't complete the contract, the school may very well demand that you reimburse them for the money they invested in your ticket.

Shaman
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ls650



Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 1:02 am    Post subject: Re: Are there sites to check the reputation a school? Reply with quote
cynthialynn wrote:
I am interested in ESL teaching in Korea, but have read the horror stories.


I've heard so many bad stories about Korea I think I'll probably never teach there.

How about another country?
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cynthialynn



Joined: 11 Apr 2004
Posts: 10
PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 2:56 am    Post subject: What other countries?? Reply with quote
IS650
What other countries will offer comperable wages and benifits to new teachers? Do you currently teach and if so where?
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Gordon



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 3:30 am    Post subject: Re: What other countries?? Reply with quote
cynthialynn wrote:
IS650
What other countries will offer comperable wages and benifits to new teachers? Do you currently teach and if so where?


Japan and Taiwan offer comparable wages for new teachers. Don't believe everything you hear about Korea, it isn't all bad. The ones who have good experiences don't usually bother to post it because it isn't as interesting as the bad experiences.
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ls650



Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 5:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I came to Indonesia with an unrelated bachelors degree and a 4-week TEFL Certificate - but no experience. I make about $900 US a month working for a well-known franchise school.
The first 4 or 5 months I blew a lot of money, but now I'm banking most of what I earn. By the time I go home in June I'll have banked about $5000 US.
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tarzaninchina



Joined: 16 Aug 2004
Posts: 348
Location: World
PostPosted: Sun Aug 22, 2004 5:07 am    Post subject: A site for blacklisting Reply with quote
The following webpage is not only for Korean schools, but for those around the world. Definitely check this out before signing up somewhere.

www.englishschoolwatch.org/notebook.php
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ls650



Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
PostPosted: Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
ls650 wrote:
By the time I go home in June I'll have banked about $5000 US.


Huh - I'd forgotten all about this thread.

I did indeed save up about $5000 US byt the end of my Indo contract. I have now started a new contract to teach at a school in southern Mexico.
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
PostPosted: Sat Sep 11, 2004 9:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm not sure if this applies, but here is an article that I just got from http://workabroad.monster.com/articles/researchcompanies/

Research International Companies
by Allan Hoffman
Monster Tech Jobs Expert

While researching US companies is now easier than ever, the same cannot be said for international firms. If you're seeking the scoop on a company in Israel or Italy, prepare to do some sleuthing or translating, if you're up for it.

Resources on interna