Job Discussion Forums

rlivings · Joined: 29 Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Location: los angeles

Hello All,

I'm a recent college graduate with my BA, I've also secured a TEFL certificate. I have minimal experience with teaching but I learn super quick, don't make the same mistake twice, and have grown up in a family full of teachers. That being said, I feel like most of my initial forays into job hunting have been answered by recruiters and the jobs I've been offered are mostly in chain english schools. (Trying to go to China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea) Not that chains are always negative, I've just been wary due to the almost 50/50 ~ for/against posts I've come across.

Examples of places I'm looking at/talking to: DD Dragon School, Korea Poly School, Shane English School.

My question is this: for my first year or two do I take the plunge and go with a franchise school where my boss might just be in it for the money and the staff isn't treated well? Is it better just to get my foot in the door in a location and job hunt for the first year to move onto something once I have more realistic experience? Am I just not looking in the right places?

A big preemptive thank you goes out to anyone who posts; I've been getting frustrated as of late and any information here can go a long way.

contented · Joined: 17 Oct 2011 Posts: 136 Location: اسطنبول

Why don't you just pass up the private language schools (like the ones you mentioned) and just start out at a public school in Korea (EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE)? I started out at a hagwon and while it could have been worse it certainly could have been better. IMO, it's okay for a first year, but the public schools offer far more benefits and I think it looks better on a resume/CV.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

There is absolutely no need to use a middleman. Apply directly. At least, that's my advice for Japan.

tttompatz · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:18 pm Post subject: Re: Starting Up / Avoiding Mills

jaydizzle · Joined: 25 Nov 2011 Posts: 57

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

tttompatz... I generally agree with your advice, but I don't think job searchers need to use recruiters in China. You do not need to know Chinese for the interview. You do not need to prepare a resume or cover letter in Chinese. While it might assist you at various spots in the application process, most FTs coming to China do not speak Chinese, and many are able to secure jobs without the assistance of a recruiter.

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tttompatz · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 3:01 am Post subject:

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

tttompatz... I must have misunderstood your meaning when you wrote;

"As to using a recruiter- unless you speak Korean or Chinese, etc AND are able to prepare your resume, cover letter and do your interview in said language, recruiters are a necessary evil- doubly so in Korea and China."

I thought you were suggesting that applicants needed to use a recruiter if they could not speak/write/read Chinese.

Many schools and universities do their own hiring. Some do their own hiring but also use recruiters ocassionally. Some recuiters work freelance... they search for candidates and then shop them around to schools. A recruiter might even advertize a position at a particular school with whom they have no relationship or agreement, and then try to sell their candidate to the school.

Although I would not recommend using a recruiter in China, I certainly know that plenty of people do use them successfully.

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VietCanada · Joined: 30 Nov 2010 Posts: 590

IMHO the problem with reading posts about schools is like the restaurant adage - 1 unhappy customer tells 10 people but the happy customer may tell no one.

I read up on Dave's before going to Korea and found it quite depressing. I was sure I was going to be beat for money or mistreated otherwise. Years of working overseas have refined my POV. Reading the posts can give you a clue to what's normal. Hours, pay, benefits etc.. One must read between the lines.

Any complaints about the school paying on time or paying up when the contract is finished? Find normal and take the plunge if you are truly interested. Take money with you and save for a ticket home as quick as possible then enjoy. Saving money is your security against bad luck.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

From what I have been told, China requires 2 years experience so you might want to look at other places other than China. Careful of dodgy recruiters/middlemen who push you into signing an illegal contract.