Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KYC]

Kids these days just wanna take the short cut to everything. What's wrong with doing your homework? You're moving to another country for a whole year. I'd make DAMN sure I know exactly what I'll be getting into before I take the leap.


This board is FILLED with useful info and you can find it and read thoroughly. The reason why some ppl feel that posters are somewhat cynical is because they are tired of seeing the same thing over and over. Tired of seeing the same type of ppl getting in the same kind of mess which all could have been avoided. No one wants to hand things to you on a silver plate. Let's play fair and do our own due diligence.

[ttompatz]

[big_fella1]

Mike the problem is the best Hagwon reviews will be written by the Hagwon. If you don't want to get screwed go public as you have been told. If you are going to take the risk, go for the Hagwon with the least hours and highest pay, that way it won't hurt too much when they screw you. You pretend to work and they will pretend to pay you.

Also note the reason some jobs offer 2,500,000 to newbies is they can't get/keep teachers. Late pay is a cause as are lies by management!

[Mike77]

First of all, I am a certified tutor and have been working with ESL students for over a year in Canada with my university. I also have other teaching experience, but not with ESL students (total time about 16-18 months).

I put question marks next to each of those numbers because I was not sure what I would get....

I'm just asking for a few leads for good companies, because I have been searching non stop and its hard to get a good answer. I just want a specific recommendation in which someone is CURRENTLY working at, or recently left, so I can ask them tons of details.

[Mike77]

Awesome, thank you.

By the way everyone, I have been reading this board 6-8 hours a day for over a week, so it's not like I am trying to just find the highest paying contract. If that was the case, then why would I be enquiring about its reputation?

I was merely asking for some good recommendations for schools that people have worked at recently, or are currently at. I've tried to search for the info, but it's really hard to find straightforward answers.

To those that are being helpful, I really appreciate it. Everyone else, find something better to do. I'm just looking for some leads to do more followup research. Cool?

-Mike

[Mike77]

One last thing: Initially I was going to just sign up for a PS to avoid the problems with hakwons, but after reading it seems like there is just as much variability (maybe a bit less?) in the quality of the PS school administration, except for things like pensions and medical.

So even for a public position, I would want a specefic location/school that someone can tell me first hand "oh yea, the admin here is great!"

[schwa]

Mike77:

Those guys are just having you on -- the schools & chains they name all have very notorious reputations on this board. I suppose they're implying you should do your own research, but I think it degrades these forums when smartasses feed newcomers false information.

That said, your original post does come across naive. Theres tons of information on this board & elsewhere about sorting reasonable job offers from duds. Immerse yourself in the faq's for a while, then come back with reasonably informed questions.

Meanwhile, theres close to zero chance that anyone is going to recommend a great situation to a virtual stranger on a message board. Why should they? They dont know anything about you & if they know & care about a particular school they also know that its the qualities of the teachers there that keep a good school good. Youre just another joe looking for a gig.

Sorry to add, theres nothing in your self-advertisement that sets you apart in any significant way from many others looking to start entry-level teaching here.

But theres certainly potential for you to find a good job & have a satisfying & rewarding time here. Do your homework & winnow down your choices. The public school route suggested above is worth a look. There are some decent hagwons but also plenty of crap ones -- you need to fine-tune your bs filter & remember to never take a recruiter's unverified word as gospel.

sincerely, best luck.


[edited to add:] One person's dream job could well be another person's hell. No telling how your personality will fit in with the status quo. Speaking of status quo, specific public school recommendations are almost useless. It generally comes down to how you hit it off personally with coteachers & administrators, & they transfer in & out of schools with some frequency. You cant predict the school mood with certainty from one semester to the next.

[Whistleblower]

Let me name one school to get the ball rolling which is a brilliant school ... honest.

Wall Street Institute (www.wsikorea.com)

They have a global reputation to keep up but I would recommend that you apply to them if you wish to teach adults. They offer part time or full time work, no split shifts, good package and do everything by the book.

Have a look at their website and teacher recruitment, they are currently seeking teaching staff to fill positions arising by new schools opening in Korea.