Korean Job Discussion Forums

[philipjames]

It seems that every time I check Dave's job section there's an advert by TEFA. Does anyone know anything about it? I have two friends moving to Seoul and they've sent off resumes to this hogwan. They're newbies so I thought I'd check them out before they sign anything. Anyone heard of them or know why they seem to be constantly advertising?

Any information (particularly from current or former employees) is appreciated.

Jameson

[Bingo]

I dated a woman who worked at TEFA in Seoul. It was a typical hogwan with a boss who didn't pay into the health or pension schemes, pocketing the money. He would illegally farm out his teachers to other schools, expect overtime without pay, arrange events on Saturdays that - contract aside - teachers had to attend. I even heard about cokroaches in the apartments and an endless supply of parental complaints brought to my girlfriend no matter how trivial. Her frend got seriously sick and the owner - who was running his own scam health benefits scheme outside the national system - refused to cover more than a fraction of the costs.

I also remember something about the teachers (about twenty) arranging a meeting with the boss to discuss a long list of grievances and he simply refused to attend. He sat in the office and completely ignored the teachers sitting in the meeting room. The meeting had been set for a certain time and he knew about it. He just decided to ignore it. Typical hogwan *beep* apparently.

I also heard that, despite contract stipulations, he would not provide a direct ticket home. He would get the cheapest ticket available even if it meant stopping in three locations en route.

I occasionally bump into my ex in Itaewon. I'll see what else I can dig up for you.

Also, you might want to do a search on this site.

Good luck

[latinthrilla]

If they are hiring for their actual hogwan stay away. If they are hiring to place a teacher in another school then their good. Here is the inside scoop from their own employees.

Last year at one of their schools half the Koreans quit and the other teachers were left to pick up the slack. 40 hours a week. Yes that's no typo. 40 hours a week of teaching! Yes they got paid overtime, but a very low wage and work was just about mandatory. There are many contract problems. I worked with 3 people who were working there (yes because they got pimped out to teach at other schools). Typical hogwon is correct.

I don't know if the pimping out part is good or bad because from what they said about working there being pimped out was a good break to have.

Having said that, they occasionally do the hiring for other schools and that is ok. Just be cafeful if it's their school or if they are acting as a recruiter.

Good luck.

[Bingo]

My ex worked at the hogwan in Banghakdong. Don't know much about the farming out, only that it was illegal and that, if caught, the teacher was screwed.