Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ms.L]

Hi, I am new here. I was wondering if anyone has worked for or heard anything about the Poly Schools in Korea.

Although, I am a certified teacher (for 7 years), I am having a difficult time finding a job in Korea. I heard it's cause I am Aisan. Anyhow, they have given me an opportunity but I don't want to just take anything. Thanks.

[littlelisa]

I turned down a contract at POLY because it was pretty lousy.

Some people really like POLY, you can do a search to find more threads on the school. Their basic thing is that they have high pay for a lot of work, which is fine.

But then their contract (I can send you a sample one if you like) has the salary calculated so that it's low, with a lot of "bonuses" every month, which make up a high salary. Unfortunately, no bonuses count towards severance, so they pocket 1 mil won there. I don't remember the other things that I didn't like about it, but I could easily check.

While there's definitely worse than POLY, there's definitely better. I think the usual advice here is don't feel that you need to settle, and don't just accept the first contract that comes your way! I'd suggest seeing if you can get a job with a public school. If you don't want to do a public school, I can possibly give you contact info for the two decent hagwons I've found (one of which I accepted a contract with), I know both are still looking for people. I'm not a recruiter at all, but I could put you in touch with the one I used, she's actually really honest. I'm not in Korea, so I can only vouch for them as far as my research took me, but they seem good.

Also, some POLY contracts have more working hours than others. Some are something like 9-6, while others may be 9-7:30... just watch that it doesn't burn you out too much if you do take one that has really long hours.

Also, take my advice with a grain of salt or two, as I haven't actually taught at a POLY. The only things I can tell you about them are my own conclusions from my own research.

[Ms.L]

Thanks littlelisa for your thoughts. I did find the hours to be long and what you said about their way of putting the salary...ends up the severance is terrible. The director I spoke with was very pleasant but then again I have no idea how it would be like in the working environment.

I do have a recruiter but he's having a difficult time getting an interview for me...again, it's cause I am CHINESE. Kills me to think that all my working experiences can't even been seen as an asset..but my skin colour is my downfall. Anyhow, thanks for your advice.

[chinook]

My experience with poly is that they are not interested as much as many in skin colour.

[Typhoon]

I don't think POLY cares so much about skin color. Country of orgin was somewhat of an issue in the past. They seemed to like people from NA, but that may have changed. Also, if you are a qualified teacher you may not enjoy POLY so much. Classes are 40 minutes, you are given how many pages you have to cover in that time and HW to check and give out. Doesn't leave a lot of time for teaching IMHO. That being said, you could a lot worse than POLY if you don't mind longer hours.

[chinook]

Also, I think you want to only work for a poly run by the head office. I've heard the ones that aren't require more work to do with tests, but that might have changed since I worked there.

[MantisBot]

I worked for a POLYschool and it wasn't that bad. I'm not exactly an experienced teacher, so the structure was quite nice for a beginner. Management was pretty decent as well, but the big issue I had was that they wouldn't provide insurance while I was there. The school I worked for has since started giving insurance and pension, so honestly, no more complaints from me. PM me if you want the location and what-not.

[shifdog]

[chinook]

Poly school doesn't require white teachers. There were 4 kyopos at my school of 10 foreign teachers. One of us when we left was replaced by a black girl. Poly tends to like moving kyopos into academic supervisor roles and to their R&D department. One guy who taught with me is a director now.

I don't think I ever worked with a non-North American though.

[MantisBot]

[Ms.L]

Well, I got a copy of the contract. There are alot vague areas. I asked them to clarify for me in writing.

The director gave me her email address when we spoke. Should I just email her instead of going through the recruiter?

And yes, I am in North America. Got my B.ed and taught here too.

[chinook]

I would just email her.

Also - I don't think they will change the contract for you as they use the same one for every branch. So you'll have to decide if you need it in the contract itself, or if clarification in writing (ie emails sent) is sufficient for you.

What parts did you think were vague?

[moosehead]

polyschools - all different directors, run differently

standard curriculum, doesn't matter if your kids can keep up or not, they have to follow the main office's schedule

long hours

really long hours

really really long hours

they do pay well, but the hours are really long - did i say that?

moosehead

[chinook]

The hours are only long if you take a morning shift. you can work poly and only do 1-9. they have fewer afternoon positions.