Korean Job Discussion Forums

daxdefranco · Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Location: chipyeong-dong, gwangju

I'm currently looking at this school. Teaching hours are 2.30 - 10.20pm. I'm reading a lot of general negative comments about YBM, but does anyone have any experience of this particular branch?

Also, I have an MA, CELTA and over a year's teaching experience. Anyone know the highest it's reasonable to ask for in terms of salary? I've told my recruiter 2.3, but wondering if I should push for 2.4.

Thanks

SW · Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Location: Korea

I'm very far from being an expert, but seeing as no one's replied to you yet, I'll offer what little info I have.

A friend of mine works for YBM Pine teaching first graders. While she says it's not the perfect job, it's better than a lot of hagwons out there. I know for sure her current situation is better than what she had before, and it's certainly a hell of a lot better than mine (I teach middle school with SMOE).

My tastes might not be the same as yours, but I'd also say you can't go wrong with the location. Sinchon is a nice-looking, modern, convenient place, and you'll have no problem finding places to go after the 10:20 finish, including coffee shops to work on your laptop and grade papers, if that's your bag.

As far as salary goes - again, I'm no expert, but I'd think with your qualifications you should be able to get at least 2.4 in Seoul, and maybe even 2.5 or 2.6. I have a CELTA as well, but I only have a BS, and I made 2.5 at my last hagwon job out in Gyeonggi.

Hope this helped at least a little, and best of luck to you.

smoggy · Joined: 31 Jul 2009

I'm at ECC and I have 7 years public school teaching and TEFL and I only get 2.2mil. I have my apt. and the other things, but I don't think you will get as much as you think. I also have a Masters and experience teaching in China. Most of that doesn't mean much to them. This school as most of ECC's are cheap. Students are also pulling out due to the Swine Flu.

Sincinnatislink · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Location: Top secret.

YBM corporate owned schools are limited in the ways they can screw you, but you also will lose some earnings potential in the process.

Personally, if they don't offer more than SMOE, EPIK, or GEPIK, I'd look into those. I'm making more working less at a ps than I did working the same number of hours at my ECC 2 years ago.
I'm in the same (entry) salary bracket and just working a ton of overtime by ps standards. (which is still less than overtime by hagwon standards)
Besides that, if you are American, the ps teachers are exempt from taxes.
And you will have much more definite hours.

You could make more, hypothetically, in a small hagwon, but you're also opening yourself up to getting taken for a ride if you don't know what you're doing.

chumpchange · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Location: Bucheon

I start with YBM ECC Bupyeong in a few weeks. It's my first time out and these guys seem on the level (tho their HR guy seemed alil pushy to me). The impression I get is that their salaries are somewhat rigid like you might expect with ps, though maybe I'm just a push over. Their website gives a breakdown of their salaries based on education and experience http://www.ybmecc.co.kr/index.asp?sub1=faq (doesn't give details, but "grade 1"is the top with a monthly salary of 2.4mil).
Good luck in your decision

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

I worked at YBM ECC in 2005.

Back then we were on 1.8 mil and our schedule was:
Mon-Wed-Fri 10am-1pm and then 3pm-9pm
Tue-Thu 4pm-7.40pm

In terms of a 2.30pm-10.20pm schedule, I presume it would exclude kinder if it is combined kinder/elementary branch.

But at the same time it seems like the company have pushed back finish times. The thought of teaching 5th graders (or anyone) at 10.20pm is really quite a stretch.