Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gartonator]

Hi everyone,

I taught in a hagwon in Daejeon in 2006 for 54 weeks, so I know the general deal. Now I'm in NYC looking to come back to teach in downtown Seoul and hopefully teach adults.

I've got a scheduled interview with YBM Premier (the school that supposedly only teaches adults) in Jongno, anyone heard of the school or specifically that branch?

I'd appreciate any info/advice/etc.

About me - 30 yrs old, Ivy League degree, professional filmmaker who cant find work at the moment, 1 year advanced ESL teaching experience (I taught critical analysis, SAT and open-ended essay at my last ESL job in 06)

Thanks! I'll be checking every few hours this week as I'm deep in decision making mode.

B

[soviet_man]

YBM have had a 6 story story building in Jongno3-sam-ga for over a decade, probably longer.

During this time it has traded under various names: YBM e4u, YBM ELS, YBM Sisa, YBM edu, YBM TPC, YBM 1to1 and probably many more. YBM Premier is one of the newer incarnations.

Because "Premier" is relatively new, one can really only compare it to the old YBM ELS which in my view would be its nearest equivilent (typically: adults only, split shifts, housing not provided but limited key money yes, fairly low pay, good location, mostly foreign staff, some Saturdays involved). I would rate the overall YBM ELS package as being below average.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

I was at that incarnation (YBM Education Centre) some years back and would agree with the above description, though I'd point out that split shifts were on a rotating 3 month basis which was it's saving grace.

[BadBadMan]

If I remember correctly, YBM Premier is just behind YBM ELS, across Giordano. It's a smaller building, with the teaching focus on conversational English with foreigners ( ) I think they started operations just a year or two ago.

Most, if not all, the teachers there are waegooks or gyopos and the classes tend to consist of only 6 or so students each.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

[hwarangi]

I had an interview there. Its under the YBM umbrella but supposed to be more elite and more exclusive. I was impressed by the facilities, the professionalism of the director, and the program.

Salary package was too low for me though.

[Fat_Elvis]

The money and contract look good on paper but there's a lot of extra paperwork, I hear. They'll pay on time though.

[gartonator]

Thanks for all the information and thoughts - I just had the phone interview and was impressed by the interviewer and what sounds like a very organized school and environment, no bs, but it also sounds like a lot of teaching something like...

7am-noon + 7-10pm mwf
7am-noonish OR 7-10pm on t/thu (so ONLY split shifts 3 days a week)
and 16 Saturdays for free (saturdays can be split or just 1/2 days) and then overtime for saturdays after that, but I have to work the first 8 saturdays, first 2 months...
only teaching 20 days/month on the m-f schedule every month, they only do 4 week cycles, but also
no free time to schedule vacation unless you want to take a month off unpaid, they give you 10 days which are worked into the year...

mostly listening/writing, small classes (4-8 was suggested), we'll see... I think she's going to decide whether or not to make me an offer today, then I'll see. I'm hoping for more than the 2.6 base, made 2.8 at my first hagwon in 2006, we'll see... lots to decide, even having done it before, all a bit intimidating.

Last question - how hard is it to find an apartment under 700 within walking distance of Jongno or Kangnam? i really want to walk with a split shift schedule, but it sounds like you have to bus it for the 400,000 allowance they offer (they have branches in both) She estimated that walking distance would cost 700-900 for a nice studio in either area... what do you get for 900? Is there any chance of finding a tiny place (even tiny by korean terms) for 600, 500?

I give thanks - hope my data helps someone else and I will be back -
B

[gartonator]

Thanks for all the information and thoughts - I just had the phone interview and was impressed by the interviewer and what sounds like a very organized school and environment, no bs, but it also sounds like a lot of teaching something like...

7am-noon + 7-10pm mwf
7am-noonish OR 7-10pm on t/thu (so ONLY split shifts 3 days a week)
and 16 Saturdays for free (saturdays can be split or just 1/2 days) and then overtime for saturdays after that, but I have to work the first 8 saturdays, first 2 months...
only teaching 20 days/month on the m-f schedule every month, they only do 4 week cycles, but also
no free time to schedule vacation unless you want to take a month off unpaid, they give you 10 days which are worked into the year...

mostly listening/writing, small classes (4-8 was suggested), we'll see... I think she's going to decide whether or not to make me an offer today, then I'll see. I'm hoping for more than the 2.6 base, made 2.8 at my first hagwon in 2006, we'll see... lots to decide, even having done it before, all a bit intimidating.

Last question - how hard is it to find an apartment under 700 within walking distance of Jongno or Kangnam? i really want to walk with a split shift schedule, but it sounds like you have to bus it for the 400,000 allowance they offer (they have branches in both) She estimated that walking distance would cost 700-900 for a nice studio in either area... what do you get for 900? Is there any chance of finding a tiny place (even tiny by korean terms) for 600, 500?

I give thanks - hope my data helps someone else and I will be back -
B

[gartonator]

Thanks for all the information and thoughts - I just had the phone interview and was impressed by the interviewer and what sounds like a very organized school and environment, no bs, but it also sounds like a lot of teaching something like...

7am-noon + 7-10pm mwf
7am-noonish OR 7-10pm on t/thu (so ONLY split shifts 3 days a week)
and 16 Saturdays for free (saturdays can be split or just 1/2 days) and then overtime for saturdays after that, but I have to work the first 8 saturdays, first 2 months...
only teaching 20 days/month on the m-f schedule every month, they only do 4 week cycles, but also
no free time to schedule vacation unless you want to take a month off unpaid, they give you 10 days which are worked into the year...

mostly listening/writing, small classes (4-8 was suggested), we'll see... I think she's going to decide whether or not to make me an offer today, then I'll see. I'm hoping for more than the 2.6 base, made 2.8 at my first hagwon in 2006, we'll see... lots to decide, even having done it before, all a bit intimidating.

Last question - how hard is it to find an apartment under 700 within walking distance of Jongno or Kangnam? i really want to walk with a split shift schedule, but it sounds like you have to bus it for the 400,000 allowance they offer (they have branches in both) She estimated that walking distance would cost 700-900 for a nice studio in either area... what do you get for 900? Is there any chance of finding a tiny place (even tiny by korean terms) for 600, 500?

I give thanks - hope my data helps someone else and I will be back -
B

[njamesd]

I am a current teacher at the Gangnam branch. Most of your info is correct. I would like to say that you don't work for free on Sat, but that you are required to work for four months (They are paid overtime), unless the contract changed, but I don't think it did. The school is very well organized, run like a western business with out all of the Korean BS. They do exactly what is in the contract, and pay everything on time, including the severance. Very professional.

Living within walking distance of the school is necessary due to the splits. The schedule can be quite long at times, and it changes every month. In Gangnam, you can find villas or officetels for about 800-1000 a month, unless you want a closet, which are around 500.

Hope this helps

[Demonicat]

I'm interviewing at one as well. Personally, I'm planning on using the housing to get something nice in Haebunchon. Its a 15 minute subway away, and for the same price as a closet in gangnam, you can get a huge place with...wait for it...multiple rooms.

[gartonator]

Thank you, that helps a lot!

I'm passing for the July 1st start, (they offered 2.3 + 400 house)

but might be there Aug 1st, just have to see what else happens, thanks...