Korean Job Discussion Forums

aeb123$ · Joined: 19 May 2009 Location: Indiana

Hi, I'm a newbie so please forgive me if this has already been mentioned - but I could not find any discussions on "English villages" in Korea. The University of Colorado - Colorado Springs is affliated with one called: Daegu Gyeunbuk English Village and I am thinking about working there next year after completing my TESL certificate. I've read a few articles online about these places but was wondering if anyone here at Dave's has ever worked at one. Thanks for the help!

cheeks · Joined: 28 May 2009

I can tell you from experience that the Daegu Gyeungbuk English Village (joint venture of Yeungjin College in Daegu and U. of Colorado at Colorado Springs--UCCS) has had numerous problems of late--legal, ethical, and administrative (contractual, managerial). The Korean Board of Labor has been conducting an investigation regarding allegations made.

A large number of the American teachers have already left or are about to leave before their ending contract date (2008-2009 school year), most of whom stated to fellow teachers that they were very discontented. For some teachers, the administration was made aware of their discontent; other teachers chose not to disclose their reason(s), often due to fear of some kind of retaliation, or due to the need to find other employment in South Korea.

In consideration of possible employment at the DGEV, careful investigation is advised.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

ANY English Village is a COMPLETE waste of time. If you're looking for base entry level work in ESL and want to be at the very, very bottom of the totem pole, then go for it. If you want to be up a notch, give a mom and pop hakwon a shout.

OP, it's good that you're doing your homework on potential employers in advance. Hopefully, you'll save yourself some time now and redirect your efforts toward either public school jobs or jobs at larger, reputable hakwons in major cities.

aeb123$ · Joined: 19 May 2009 Location: Indiana

cheeks: that is very upsetting - you actually have worked there or know someone who does? i talked to the woman in charge at UCCS last month and everything sounded so above board......
i'm nervous about finding work in korea next year - it seems to be a real crap shoot and even though the programs at english villages sound a little silly - more entertainment than educational - i was thinking this one might be a 'safe' or legit way to get started, especially since it is co-sponsored by an America university. UCCS developed the curriculum - so i also thought that would make DGEV a little better academically......i guess i was being naive?!
any more info/help would be appreciated - thanks!!!!

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

If you do take the job, please pop back on here a few months into your contract. We always like to hear that we were right.

It doesn't matter what you heard. Don't waste your time. Find a big reputable hakwon in a major city, talk to current employees, e-mail past employees, avoid split shifts, get single housing, and come on over.

Personally, I find the very concept of an 'English Village' a bit sad and more than a little insulting. Professionally, I find them repulsive.

aeb123$ · Joined: 19 May 2009 Location: Indiana

PRagic - good insight and advice but is there really such a thing as a REPUTABLE hakwon? how does one go about finding one? are there trustworthy agents/recruiters? i've been reading on this forum for a few months and getting discouraged about finding a safe, legit job. help? please & thanks!

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

....talk to current employees, e-mail past employees, avoid split shifts, get single housing...

So let's go a bit deeper, then:

-Use any and all recruiters. NEVER just use one or two. And remember, they don't work for you, they work for the paying institution. They want you on a plane so they get paid. Never take any crap off of a recruiter. Hang up if they piss you off.

-Put your resume/CV up on job boards

-Set up a new E-mail account to handle only job related incoming mail.

-Know what you want in terms of location, age of students, and employment conditions. Be reasonable and be flexible, but don't be gullable. Unless you know you like teaching little kids, I'd strongly suggest an adult hakwon or a public school job. The downside of public school jobs as far as I know, though, is that you can't always choose your location. If you could get a position in a public school in Seoul, I'd recommend that over a hakwon if for no other reasons that it'd look better on a resume and you'd get a lot more vacation.

As for a 'reputable hakwon', shoot for the big names in the big cities. Shoot for schools that have at least 5 foreign teachers. For first timers, I always suggest Seoul, but some like Pusan as well. My attitude has always been that you can move out of Seoul, but a bad first experience elsewhere will just see you moving out of the country. DON'T buy anything a recruiter or hakwon tells you about the school being 'close to Seoul.' Forget it. IN SEOUL (or in Pusan), or forget it. Stand firm on this one. Anyway, the big chains are not always a 100% safe bet, but the odds are in your favour compared to a mom and pop kiddie hakwon operation.

-Never be rushed into taking a job.

-Start getting your paperwork together. Get copies of your transcripts, get your FBI background check paperwork sent out or ready to send out (it has to be current). Check to see if just a local, state-level background check will suffice. Not sure on this. I needed the national FBI check, but I work at a university. Didn't need it for my visa (I have the Korean green card), but all employees, Korean and foreign, have to submit background checks. Have your diploma in hand and get some notarized compies made just in case. Write up a statement of your experience and 'teaching philosophy'. Get a clean-cut photo taken. There are a lot of things you can do regarless of whether or not you have an offer on the table.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject:

Excellent advice from PRagic.

I'll add -
Shortly after arriving, you will be 'tested' by your employer (public or private). Do not acquiesce to unreasonable demands beyond the scope of your contract. You must say "No" in a firm, but calm and polite manner - this will 'set the stage' for how the employer will deal with you. As a newbie, the best advice I was given was - "In K-land, pick your battles carefully."

potblackettle · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Location: South Korea

monnymite · Joined: 10 May 2009

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Many thanks, but I should add something.

As many have said, not everyone wants to live in a big city. Fine. But recruiters and the government insist on introducing jobs located away from life on the ROC. My suggestion to all coming over is that they should at least be receiving a premium for working outside of the major (5) cities.

When teachers start making more for living on the finges, then maybe, just maybe, the mom-and-pop start ups will give it a good think before they try to jump into the game. I can't tell you how many people here I've met over the years who wanted to go back to their home town in the sticks here and start an English hakwon or a camp operation. Pathetic. And there are boatloads of people looking to work for these people?

Throw the government into the equation. They want to put a 'teacher in every school.' Fine. But they also want to pay all teachers the same across the country? Funny stuff. If I were just coming over, there's no way I'd buy into that mentality. Want me to work in the sticks? OK, sure. Pay me an extra 10K a year.

potblackettle · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Location: South Korea

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:04 pm Post subject:

An EV can be a good introduction/transition to K-land. Unlike (most) PS positions, there will be other 'foreigners' around who will serve mitigate the inevitable culture shock. If publically funded, you will (mostly) be protected against the machinations of a less than honest hogwan owner.

There are a few 'good' ones around - beware anything that is privately run - and undersand these have very little to do with 'real' teaching. They are 'show pieces' (all icing & no cake) where you will be almost constant display.

To everyone who wants to argue... I use "'good'" and "'real'" in the above as relative terms.

hawaii4me272 · Joined: 09 Sep 2009

I just came from DGEV and I would recommend it to anyone starting out in Korea. I will tell you this you MUST LOVE KIDS to do this job because you are with them pretty much 24/7.

You will eat in the same cafeteria as them, stay in the same dorms with them(seperate rooms,of course, but on the same floor) and the kids take priority until 9PM in all the fun places such as DVD rooms,PC rooms, gym, and yes the laundry room.

Also remember the kids have the "at camp" mentality so you have some that are homesick(crying all the time) to swimming in the fountains outside(seriously).

Like all schools and contracts, double check the fine print and get a second opinion (if possible by someone who has been to Korea).

I want to end with this note and that is I would go back there in a heartbeat(and several have either by renewing a contract or coming back as volunteers) and would recommend it to anyone starting out in Korea.