Korean Job Discussion Forums

highhopping · Joined: 11 Feb 2007

Hi,
I am new to the forum. I will be graduating college in May and will be moving to Seoul with the hope of teaching English. I just sent out my first wave of applications and quickly heard back from YBM ECC Gangnam. I talked to the director and received a contract. Everything seems pretty typical, salary is low (2.0 Mil) but it is a YBM so I expected that. I was curious as to whether or not anyone has had any experience with this branch or with the director Mr. Chin.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

-Newbie

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

kimchi story · Joined: 23 Nov 2006

I agree with ttompatz - and I'm a little confused. I'm familiar with ECC Daechi, which is in Gangnam. The director's name is Shin. He's a great guy, and it's a tough job. As far as hogwan's go it's a good one. And I know if he has teachers with a May finish date he'll be planning now. Is the contact ybmecc@yahoo ?

If you can wait until September, a public school job is a good way to go. Of course, a year at a hogwan will make you appreciate the public school job if you wait and do that for your second contract.

highhopping · Joined: 11 Feb 2007

I already am certified. I also don't want to sit aroud all summer without a job.
Why should I wait? This is the only company I have heard back from so far, but if I can square things up early that will allow me to do adequate research on all the offers I receive. I feel like I can make a more educated decision this way.

To the second respondant, thanks for your candid response. Yes this is indeed the same Mr. Chin, he seemed very nice. The only reservations I have are the salary he proposed. I was hoping for something considerably larger. My girlfriend began applying about a month ago and received an offer near 3.0 mil. We have similar credentials but this offer seemed high. Is that more than one should normally expect with no applicable experience but a certification and a degree from a top school?

Thanks for the help

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

kimchi story · Joined: 23 Nov 2006

Great links ttompatz.

This is the second time ECC Daechi has come up on the forum in the last few months, and I know I am not the only teacher on this board who has fond memories of the place. Errrr - of the director, anyway.

But if it's the same, the owner/directors name is Shin and you will be doing yourself a favor if you call him that. I have a couple of friends who have been teaching there off and on since 2001.

It's a difficult job, but he's a good guy, as far as I'm concerned.

And man, your gf either got really lucky or is about to be royally screwed. Time will tell...

yashi · Joined: 19 Jan 2007

If you don't like the salary, negotiate. Why don't you work with your girlfriend?

As for ECC-Daichi, Mr. Shin is very personable and supportive. He runs a family business and treats his teachers as such. Show respect and you will receive it. Don't cause a problem and you will have none. I agree with Kimchi Story about it being a good place for first timers.