Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lonestar]

Is anyone familiar with Youndong GnB in Jeju? Thanks for any information you can share.

[philipjames]

Hi,

I can't comment on GnB Jeju, but I did work at GnB in Incheon and it was a nightmare (see my other posts). GnB in Jeju might be run by better human beings, but you'll still be stuck with their horrendous textbooks. They're full of errors, so clearly the school has little real interest in teaching English to the kids. If they were interested, they'd have a nature speaker look over the text before going to publication. And you have to go over it time after time after time, even though the kids can recite it word for word with their eyes closed.

Jeju, from what I hear, is a lovely place. It would be unfortunate to have your year there ruined by working for a bad franchise.

Look into this position carefully before accepting. Speak to former (not current) teachers. If they won't let you talk to former teachers, look elsewhere.

Good luck with your search.

[Lost Seoul]

Here are some previous posts about the GnB hagwons:

The Jeju branch isn't mentioned but the other posts may give you some idea of how the franchise is run in general, despite claims that the owners of GnB schools have little to do with head office (don't know how true this is). Ask for the EMail addresses of the other foreign teachers at the institute and ask them what its like. Ask many questions, seek many opinions, then, finally, trust your own instincts.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=179
scott oer
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 11:38 am Post subject: WARNING!!!! GnB English School - Donghae City
This is a warning!!! Mr. Mun Song-il is currently recruiting for his GnB Donghae and Cheongju sites. Mr. Mun is a very shady character who will promise you the moon and stars and then drop the bomb on you once you arrive. Not only did I go through my own personal hell with him (I worked at his school) but others had their fair share as his recruitees. When one teacher arrived at the airport, Mr. Mun tried to get him to work at a different school illegally, for much less pay, no vacation, etc. The truth is that the school he was actually hired for didn't even need anyone!! If you come to Korea Mr. Mun will pull a number of fast ones on you, and then most likely follow it up with his favorite line "i'm sorry, but I'm afraid you don't have a choice."
I know this is Mr. Mun's post because of his email address and phone number. GnB schools are best to stay away from to begin with because they are franchised out to owners who have no or little english proficiency and have no or little skill in running a language school. The catch to GnB schools is support from the corporate office (in the form of unique GnB textbooks ((which are full of mistakes)) and advertising materials) and low tuition rates, which mean large class sizes and limited resources. I'm sure there are some honest GnB's out there, I don't mean to make rash sweeping judgements, but in the past year i heard nightmare after nightmare stories about them, as well as my own.
My problems with Mr. Mun started the night i arrived in Jeju. He had promised me a private, studio apartment in Sinjeju (new jeju) and instead put me in a remote neighborhood outside of Gujeju (old jeju) in the village of Hwa Buk. This was a shared, tiny 2 room apt. with an older Korean man. Luckily I got along fine with him, but if not it would've been tough cuz the place was really small - not to mention i couldn't lock my bedroom door. The school was in Gujeju, so it was a 10 minute walk to the bus stop and then 20 minutes on the bus, once it eventually came which usually took 10 - 20 minutes.
From then he tried to force me to work a 6:30 AM class everyday and then 5 teaching hours spread out through the day, finishing at 7PM. Although my contract was for only 5 hours a day, he said "if you don't do the morning class, I'm afraid I won't be able to pay you." His school was very disorganized. My training consisted of him giving me a student book and saying "go teach." He promised me my airfare upon arrival, and after 2 months I only saw half of it. As for insurance, when I asked him about it he said "you look very healthy, i do not think you need insurance." Trust me and pass on this one. There are plenty of honest schools with ads up on this website. If you do take a job with mr. mun, remember that you've been warned.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?p=8099#8099
philipjames
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
Posts: 7
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2003 12:38 pm Post subject: GNB Incheon......Hell on Earth!
I have worked at GnB (Incheon) for seven monthes. I am an excellent teacher. On Thursday he says to me that Monday is my last day. "You're an excellent teacher", he says, "but you don't fit in". I tell him that he can't do that, it violates my contract.

The *beep* simply smiles.

Here's the thing. He NEVER gave me a copy of the conract although I have asked for it for monthes. The photocopier was broken; it's at the other office; my wife has it; he never received it in the first place. When he fired me I demanded my contract again, only to be told that he lost it.

He's a typical corrupt Korean and in gross violation of my contract. I KNOW HE HAS IT, but he deems it not in his interest to show it to me.

He knows that 'm a married man with bills to pay in Canada, and that I barely sqeek by here in Korea. For an individual, knowing this, to fire me on two days notice is obscene. I was not given any prior waning that my work is sub-par, because it is excellent. He won't even give me a straight answer as to why he's firing me.

He is the most dishonorable man in Korea.

I contacted a third party and managed to get two weeks notice (as opposed to two days), but this is still wrong. I want and deserve my return ticket to Canada and my one monh severance pay. I'm angry and determied that noone else fall into the GnB Incheon trap.

Aside from this situation, the school is a nightmare. THe wife alks around screaming all day and slamming doors. I don't know if she's mentally unbalanced or not, but she creates a very tense atmosphere. Everyone walks around on egg shells. One day I asked her not to slam things down on the desk in front f me. Although I asked politely she said "Shut your mouth". I asked her not to speak to me like that (again politely), only to be baraged with a verbal assault in wild Korean sprinkled with as many Korean curse words that you care to count. THis was my worst case of culture shock in Korea. Apparently asking to be treated politely is an offence in Korea.

There is no teacher's room, and the teacher's are forbidden from using the computer in the lobby (although their children use it for hours a day to play computer games.) The children are shockingly rude, the 'English' in the textbooks shockingly bad, and the bathroom (disgusting) is in the next building. One has to get dressed to go out to it in the winter

The textbooks are mind-numbingly boring. THe children are bored to death, fully able to recite, word for word with their eyes closed, the lines of the text. When I try to enhance the children's chances of learning English, by innovating, I'm scolded. When I brought a few tangerines to class to teach the children how to request food and offer food (may I have a piece of orange please, etc..) I was repimanded for "eating in class". When I brought in flash cards to help teach the chldren phrases I was admonished not to play "card gaes" in class. On and on it goes as both the English teacher and students' brains go to mush.

Im glad to be leaving, but the manner in which I'm departing is symtomatic of the whole problem at the school. The owners are corrupt hogwan owners, evoid of ethics and disinterested in whether or not the children actually learn. Their bottom line is cash and he dominaion of their freign workers.

Don't fall into their trap.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=2294
Sucker
Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 11
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2003 12:37 am
Post subject: (GnB)
Firstly GnB is a series of franchise schools. Each school is run by a director who has very little to do with head office. In this respect most GnB schools would be very different.

That said, I worked for GnB Dongduchen and they did more than jst screw me over.

After working for 10 1/2 months the work environment turned hostile. So much so that I felt that I had to resign - I gave my 3 weeks notice, giving all reasons of contractual violation (unpaid overtime, medical insurance, etc).

The very next day I was told to leave the apartment, my phone was disconected and my boss attempted to report me as a danger to immigration.

I took my case to the labor board. After the required 2 weeks, they called a metting with me. At first they would not speak to me (because after they had seen my boss, she had told them that I had hit children then dissapeared in to the night).

I was shocked - I had no idea why she was being so hostile to me. She did not just want me to quit, she wanted me out of the country. And no, I do not and did not hit anyone, let alone children.

On a second review, the labour board dissmissed my case because apparently I gave my notice, which means I was not fired (I learnt of this yesterday).

I never really thought that anyone could be really evil. Now I do.

I won't say don't work for GnB. But whatever you do, do not work for GnB Dongducheon and make sure you research your school before you arrive - make sure you talk to FORMER (not current) teachers.

Have to go
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There are some more comments on GnB on the following thread

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=9089

[lonestar]

philipjames and Lost Seoul: Thanks very much for your replies. You've no doubt saved me from a bad situation. This board really does perform an invaluable service.

[GRich]

Perhaps I am the only one here with a somewhat positive experience with the GnB Franchise. (but, I am only 4 months in).

I know this though. The Corporate office is starting to revamp the way they bring in Foreign teachers to the other franchises. You can check out their website at www.gnbenglish.com . On top of that, they have begun monthly seminars to help adapt to the teaching system, and to offer support for foreigners in Korea. The main guy running this new movement is a guy actually from Toronto, but also Korean. Real friendly and smart, and from what he says, GnB is in a state of flux and soon you will be able to go through the main corporation to get hired on to the company.

Check out the site, and if anyone has other questions about GnB hit me in a PM.

-THGP

[www.thgp.net]

[kprrok]

i'm not sure about that particular GnB branch down here, but I'll check on it. Just for reference, I believe there are over 30 GnBs down here on Jeju. I have a good friend who worked at one, and my girlfriend works at another and both of them are perfectly happy there. My friend loves the place and is going to be signing for another year or so...I think, unless something better came up for him on the mainland. My girlfriend has only been there for a month or so, but she's happy so far.

As with any chain, it all depends on the individual owner of the school. Some GnBs are probably excellent, and some are probably piss poor.

I love Jeju. I've been here for almost a year and a half now with another year to go. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

I'll have my friends ask about that particular branch of GnB for ya and get back to ya.

Cheers

KPRROK