Korean Job Discussion Forums

[spasek]

This is for anyone interested in teaching positions in South Korea. I strongly advise you to be cautious about any positions offered by Honors Review Academy in South Korea. This school has had a very large turnover rate among foreign teachers. The manager, Harry, is very discriminating against foreign teachers. We had a young woman here who desperately needed to go home to be with a very ill family member. When she requested time off, she was refused, and not in a very nice or sympathetic way. She then quit so that she could go home. The same manager has also made remarks during staff meetings about the superiority of Korean teachers versus foreign teachers. Teachers are also constantly held accountable for all students' failures and problems.

Hopefully, you can find a better position with a different academy in South Korea. South Korea itself does have a very high turnover rate as they find it very difficult to keep foreign teachers; hence, one of the reasons for the bonus money at the end of your one year contract. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer for the U.S., I can assure you that this is not a good environment. Best of luck to you in your search for a good and rewarding position.

[BigBuds]

[spasek]

Got my facts from someone at the Labor Board itself. Perhaps YOU need to get your facts straight, or you can take it up with them. Either way, I don't care.

[poet13]

Yo newbie. His facts are straight. Here's something to remember. If you call labor 10 times and ask the same question each time, there's a good chance you will get 8 different answers. That's just the way it is here.

[spasek]

Just checked again. Actually, we're both right. Korean schools use that bit of information for promotional value to entice foreigners to come and work here. It is part of the Labor Law, but there's another reason that they advertise it.

Better check that "poet" name. Doesn't fit.

[poet13]

....and that other reason is?

and just out of curiousity...how is it exactly that my made-up online moniker doesn't fit?

[khyber]

[Corky]

Koreans can get severance pay too if they're contracted. It's not just for foreigners, and it's not just for teachers.

Good luck at your school. That sucks about your supervisor.

[bergy]

I would like to begin by stating that I have the utmost respect for Sean as a teacher and as a person. I worked with Sean for a few months before he left Korea. The way he was treated was shameful and inexcusable.

Having said that, I would like to say that I truly enjoy working at HR. Please do not let what happened to Sean keep you from applying here. We have eight foreign teachers, and plan to hire several more. This school is very nice, and our new head-teacher is looking out for our interests. The director, Harry, has also been much more willing to work with us over the past month. Things are changing here for the better.

I would also like to say that the story about the woman with a sick mother is a contentious tale at our school. Several teachers (who knew her better than Sean) believe that she lied to get out of her contract. Many teachers who come to Korea have no idea how much work is really involved. It is not a vacation. It is a job.

In any case, Sean worked very hard, and we were all very sad to see him go. We understood, however, and regret the way he was treated. I invite anyone who has further questions to email me through this board and give our school a chance.

Thank you.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[ChuckECheese]

[ChuckECheese]

[Areut]

[bergy]

Let me make something clear. I backed up the story about what happened to Sean. It was an isolated incident.

Also, he posted the same information on ESL Base and used his real name, so I do not think that he really cares if you know his name. I will let him know that you are concerned. I am sure he will appreciate it.

Again, teaching abroad always means taking a chance. I am only suggesting that you give our school a chance, and keep your tempers even. Have you been to HR? Have you taught here? No? Then why are you wasting your time dragging us through the mud?

Thank you for your time. Please consider applying to our school, and please ignore comments made by people who know nothing about Honors Review.

[ttompatz]