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Mike77
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:46 pm Post subject: Can anyone just recommend a good school for me? |
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I'm sure there are 100's of threads like this, so I apologize in advanced.
I am a recent Psychology graduate that is a certified tutor, and has experience tutoring ESL students for my university. I graduated with a VERY high gpa as well. On the hand, i've never done TEFL abroad before.
First of all, I was wondering if those previous qualifications would give me a big edge, because it doesn't ever seem to be talked about.
Second of all, wouldn't a Psychology major be the next best thing for ESL (next to an actual education degree or an English/Linguistics)? Or would it be grouped with all the other non education/english degrees?
Thirdly, is GPA at all important in the job hunt?
Anyways, apart from my questions, can anyone recomend a good school for me? I am getting overwhelmed with e-mails and cannot even read them fast enough.
I am looking for a job with normal hours (25-30 hours a week in the classroom?) with at least a decent pay rate (2.3+?). The main thing, however, is I want a place that would have lots of overtime hours available and offered them at a good rate. This way, if i decided i could handle more hours after the initial culture shock, I would do it. I don't, however, want a contract for 3 mill in which I am working 60 hours a week-- this way I have no choice. I want a place with all the standard perks (single accommodation, 50/50 med coverage, etc.).
Most importantly, I would like a place in which someone here has worked at, or is currently working at, so I know there aren't going to be any punches pulled. This way I could also see pictures of the housing, etc., as I would like a somewhat decent place.
Any ideas people? I really appreciate your help.
I have got to say, I have been reading this forum obsessively recently, and there are some truly amazing people here that give very good advice. Thanks guys! |
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politica
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
Location: Suwon-si
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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My advice to you would be to apply to the public school system (GEPIK and SMOE are both hiring right now), through a reputable recruiter.
Although your background in psychology may be helpful to you in the classroom, the schools aren't going to give a damn. Likewise with your GPA. Its the degree that matters. And it wouldn't hurt to emphasis your tutoring experience.
My background is in politics, and I also have experience tutoring in ESL. I landed a job with GEPIK pretty easily. If I can be of any more help, just PM me.
Peace out,
politica |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: Can anyone just recommend a good school for me? |
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| Mike77 wrote: |
I'm sure there are 100's of threads like this, so I apologize in advanced.
I am a recent Psychology graduate that is a certified tutor, and has experience tutoring ESL students for my university. I graduated with a VERY high gpa as well. On the hand, i've never done TEFL abroad before.
First of all, I was wondering if those previous qualifications would give me a big edge, because it doesn't ever seem to be talked about.
Second of all, wouldn't a Psychology major be the next best thing for ESL (next to an actual education degree or an English/Linguistics)? Or would it be grouped with all the other non education/english degrees?
Thirdly, is GPA at all important in the job hunt?
Anyways, apart from my questions, can anyone recomend a good school for me? I am getting overwhelmed with e-mails and cannot even read them fast enough.
I am looking for a job with normal hours (25-30 hours a week in the classroom?) with at least a decent pay rate (2.3+?). The main thing, however, is I want a place that would have lots of overtime hours available and offered them at a good rate. This way, if i decided i could handle more hours after the initial culture shock, I would do it. I don't, however, want a contract for 3 mill in which I am working 60 hours a week-- this way I have no choice. I want a place with all the standard perks (single accommodation, 50/50 med coverage, etc.).
Most importantly, I would like a place in which someone here has worked at, or is currently working at, so I know there aren't going to be any punches pulled. This way I could also see pictures of the housing, etc., as I would like a somewhat decent place.
Any ideas people? I really appreciate your help.
I have got to say, I have been reading this forum obsessively recently, and there are some truly amazing people here that give very good advice. Thanks guys! |
You're not even here yet and you're leaving stupid comments on other people's threads? |
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Mike77
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: Can anyone just recommend a good school for me? |
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| ajgeddes wrote: |
You're not even here yet and you're leaving stupid comments on other people's threads? |
Um.... was that directed at me? |
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Big4Jerm3
Joined: 17 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: Can anyone just recommend a good school for me? |
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| ajgeddes wrote: |
| Mike77 wrote: |
I'm sure there are 100's of threads like this, so I apologize in advanced.
I am a recent Psychology graduate that is a certified tutor, and has experience tutoring ESL students for my university. I graduated with a VERY high gpa as well. On the hand, i've never done TEFL abroad before.
First of all, I was wondering if those previous qualifications would give me a big edge, because it doesn't ever seem to be talked about.
Second of all, wouldn't a Psychology major be the next best thing for ESL (next to an actual education degree or an English/Linguistics)? Or would it be grouped with all the other non education/english degrees?
Thirdly, is GPA at all important in the job hunt?
Anyways, apart from my questions, can anyone recomend a good school for me? I am getting overwhelmed with e-mails and cannot even read them fast enough.
I am looking for a job with normal hours (25-30 hours a week in the classroom?) with at least a decent pay rate (2.3+?). The main thing, however, is I want a place that would have lots of overtime hours available and offered them at a good rate. This way, if i decided i could handle more hours after the initial culture shock, I would do it. I don't, however, want a contract for 3 mill in which I am working 60 hours a week-- this way I have no choice. I want a place with all the standard perks (single accommodation, 50/50 med coverage, etc.).
Most importantly, I would like a place in which someone here has worked at, or is currently working at, so I know there aren't going to be any punches pulled. This way I could also see pictures of the housing, etc., as I would like a somewhat decent place.
Any ideas people? I really appreciate your help.
I have got to say, I have been reading this forum obsessively recently, and there are some truly amazing people here that give very good advice. Thanks guys! |
You're not even here yet and you're leaving stupid comments on other people's threads? |
**********crickets********** |
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Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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| I would either recommend Modern English Studio or Wonderland. They have a great reputation and you will not have any problem getting a job. |
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KYC
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject: Re: Can anyone just recommend a good school for me? |
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| Mike77 wrote: |
Second of all, wouldn't a Psychology major be the next best thing for ESL (next to an actual education degree or an English/Linguistics)? |
the next big thing?? Excuse me while I fall off my chair. A psych degree is PROBABLY worth more here than back home. Unless you have a masters in psych, you'd be lucky getting any psych related jobs back home.
I was going to be a psych major until my favorite psych professor told me that I'd be making pennies unless I went for masters or higher. |
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KYC
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Whistleblower wrote: |
| I would either recommend Modern English Studio or Wonderland. They have a great reputation and you will not have any problem getting a job. |
what about St. Andrew's in Ilsan??? I'd recommend that first. |
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Otherside
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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| KYC wrote: |
| Whistleblower wrote: |
| I would either recommend Modern English Studio or Wonderland. They have a great reputation and you will not have any problem getting a job. |
what about St. Andrew's in Ilsan??? I'd recommend that first. |
I was just about to recommend St. Andrew's. Wonderful location, links with a prestigious university, and most importantly a director who has the teachers' interests at heart! |
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Mike77
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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thanks for all the advice guys, i'll start researching them right now....
Did you guys ever work for these places? |
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Mike77
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:16 am Post subject: |
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why am i finding horrible reviews for all 3 of those places?
Are they big companies or something? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:35 am Post subject: |
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| Mike77 wrote: |
why am i finding horrible reviews for all 3 of those places?
Are they big companies or something? |
No-one here knows you from a hole in the ground.
25 classes, 2.3 mil + full benefits with nothing more than a BA and NO classroom experience?
Newbies should do their homework BEFORE they ask for the sun and the moon.
Start with the FAQs, then cruise through the stickies and the contract thread.
When you get done with that you could probably be able to ask a question that makes sense. You would also know what you did wrong.
But of course, don't take my word for it. I am just another pompous ass on an internet forum.
. |
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Otherside
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:38 am Post subject: |
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| Mike77 wrote: |
why am i finding horrible reviews for all 3 of those places?
Are they big companies or something? |
Sorry Mike, we were taking the piss. St. Andrews in Ilsan is probably the single worst hagwon in Korea, while wonderland is perhaps the worst chain in the country, don't know about Modern English Studio but I'd guess it's cut from the same cloth.
Realistically, the "safest' bet is to go with a public school position. SMOE for Seoul, GEPIK for Gyeonnggi province and EPIK for the rest of the country. Public schools aren't without their problems but big issues such as getting paid, not being screwed on tax and pension and recieving severence and airfare aren't an issue with public schools.
Those schools you have been researching are good reasons NOT to work in the hagwon sector. |
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Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:42 am Post subject: |
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| Mike77 wrote: |
why am i finding horrible reviews for all 3 of those places?
Are they big companies or something? |
Well we all like to take the micky of the newbie coming to Korea. On a more serious note, you should feel welcome to browse the contract threads. There you will see a variety of good and down right bad employment contracts. You should also see a good idea of what you should be looking at, but let me break it down for you.
1. National Health Insurance.
2. National Pension Scheme.
3. Tax.
4. Break down of working hours, teaching hours and what constitutes a teaching hour.
5. Vacation.
6. Other important information.
If you see an employment contract with number 1 to 3 missing, run to the next contract or recruiter. The others are usually not in a contract but you would be able to get it in if you ask the potential employer to add it.
Anyways, we would recommend that when you get an offer please post up your employment contract for a professional's critique. Finally, always always contact the old teachers and find out what your potential employers are like. Enjoy your job search and I wish you luck finding a reputable and interesting employer. |
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Mike77
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:48 am Post subject: |
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It took me about 30 seconds to figure that one out...
I've been reading some threads about these places and my jaw is still on the floor.
The reason why I was asking is I was just trying to get some good recommendations so I have the lowest chance of getting screwed. Now, on a more serious note, do you guys know some actual good hagwons that you've worked at before and worked well?
I've gone through the contract threads but 75% don't show the name of the hagwon, and even worse, 95% seem to get negative reviews.
If you've been to korea for a few years, and found one that you just couldn't leave, a heads up would be greatly appreciated.
I'll buy you a beer or 30 when I arrive  . |
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