Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Xanadu123]

Just got an offer from a recruiter for the gangbuk topia. I think it is private owned, and I don't think I like the contract much.

Does anyone have any information about this school?

Greatly appreciated.

[Auslegung]

You're right, I don't think that's a corporately-owned Topia. At least it's not on the main website. I know nothing about the school, but if you don't like the contract then either negotiate it until you like it, or go for another one. Remember, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of jobs available, you don't need to settle.

[MollyBloom]

I used to work at the one in Daechi in 2006 and I loved it there. I mostly taught iBT TOEFL to middle school kids. We were given books for that, but I was told I can supplement the books with other curriculum. I also taught writing and speaking classes, and I could choose what books I wanted, or choose not to have books, and create my own curriculum.

I also helped develop literature and debate courses, which I taught. That's what I really enjoyed doing there. I got to choose books and we had discussion sections. I also taught writing, but developed a creative writing area as well, which the kids loved.

When I worked there, the middle school section never had foreign teachers before, so I think I was able to try different things and experiment with different methods of teaching. I am very close with the director, who is a wonderful woman.

It was my first job in Korea and I got 2.8 mil a month and 8 weeks of vacation. The vacation time was coordinated with the middle school exams, so I guess when they had mid/final exams was when I had 14 days off in a row. I don't remember how it worked..I was just told not to come in Monday and come back in two weeks

Anyway, I think they still hire foreigners at Daechi for the elementary section, but I think it's just Kyopos or foreigners that can speak fluent (or close to fluent) Korean that get hired in the middle school and high school sections. The reason for that is because you are a "homeroom" teacher and call the parents every day.

[Captain Courageous]

I have a quick question.

In their contracts, do they offer key money/housing allowance? I'm considering returning to Korea in Novemberish, and would prefer a large established branch.

Also, is the curriculum good to go and decent, or do you need to essentially half-develop your own?

I'm returning to Korea in Novemberish, most likely, and after two years at CDI, I'd like a change of pace, but stick with a well-established school with an established curriculum.

[Auslegung]

Yes they do provide key money and housing. If you decide not to take the housing they offer, they'll probably give you a housing allowance. They've put me up in a place that is W550,000/month, and my friend is living with his fiance in another town so they've provided him a housing allowance of a few hundred thousand a month, idk the exact amount.

The syllabus and materials are provided, but like almost all books, some of them need tweaking. However, if you didn't change a thing about how the books are taught or anything, you'd still be able to do fine, just most teachers prefer to change some things here and there.

Topia is large and established, my only real complaint that would apply to all campuses is the amount of paperwork. Before the end of the day you have to post homework for all absent students (reasonable), and before the beginning of the next day you have to input all grades online, including homework and word tests for nearly all classes every day. At midterm, we are also required to make comments on all new, repeat, and multi-level up students. With about 70 applicable students my first semester I made a 10-page word document, but with only 55ish my second semester I made a 7-page word document full of comments.

Topia doesn't let you just sit around, but our foreign coordinator did get all of our teaching hours reduced by 2 this semester, so I'm only teaching 24 hours/week. And all the paperwork is at least intended to benefit the student, which makes me a little more happy to do it; it's not just busy work.

[Captain Courageous]

Thanks for the response. It seems to be more or less what I was expecting.

I'm a CDI vet of 2 years, and had to input grades daily and do report cards each term, so I'm used to the paperwork.

[Dude Ranch]

I had an interview with Topia English Zone in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Anyone have any info on them?

[smuffin]

I had an interview with them, too! I'm sure it's the same school, there can only be one Topia in Mapo...did you talk to a woman named Christine?

[lizlemon]

I had an offer from them that only had 5 days vacation and had some weird section about having to share your apartment at least once during your contract with a new teacher. He said he would take that out but look for it because it may be in yours as well.

[ldh2222]

Any new info for 2010? Interviewed with them (Ilsan)... would like to hear your experiences at TOPIA, thanks.

[Nester Noodlemon]

[mssinmymind]

I recieved a phone call last night (unexpected) from a recruiter about the EPIK programs working in the Topia and Avalon schools. It was the first initial call so no specific areas were mentioned as of yet.

I will not be going to Korea until at least Feb 2011 and this will be my first time teaching, and in Korea. By that time, I will be fresh out of college - though I'm a late bloomer- just turned 40 yrs old in Oct - and have been assured that my age will not be a problem.

I've read the threads about Avalon and Topia and it seems that Avalon has way more negative reviews than Topia. As I realize that all posts on Dave's and other blog sites have to be taken with a grain of salt, I would be interested in hearing more about either school system, in the public and private sections...from some of you who are currently or have recently worked in these schools.

Would anyone be willing to share, either on this thread or in email about their experiences ??

[WadRUG'naDoo]

Job sounds like it should pay 3.5 million plus housing and OT. And OT should be at least 30,000.

[Son Deureo!]

[mssinmymind]